When XO, Kitty first dropped on Netflix, everyone—and I mean everyone—was convinced they had the "secret brother" plot figured out. We saw the hospital records. We saw the 1993 bracelet. We saw the longing looks at old yearbooks. It felt like a total layup for a classic K-drama twist where Alex from XO Kitty would turn out to be Kitty Song Covey’s long-lost half-brother.
Except, he wasn't. Honestly, the writers pulled a massive bait-and-switch that left fans reeling.
Alex Finnerty isn't just a side character or a "hot teacher" archetype. He’s the emotional anchor of a show that otherwise leans heavily into teen angst and love quadrangles. Played by Peter Thurnwald, Alex is a Korean-Australian adoptee who moves across the world to Seoul, taking a job at KISS (Korean Independent School of Seoul) just to find out where he actually came from. If you’ve watched the show, you know his journey is basically the most grounded thing in a series filled with fake dating and secret influencers.
The Secret Identity of Alex from XO Kitty
For most of the first season, Kitty is on a mission. She thinks Alex is the son her mother, Eve Song, gave up for adoption back in 1993. The evidence was pretty damning: Eve’s name was on the hospital paperwork in Seoul.
But here’s the reality: Alex from XO Kitty is actually the biological son of Principal Jina Lim and Professor Lee.
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It’s a heavy reveal. Jina and Lee were high school sweethearts at KISS. When Jina got pregnant, she panicked. To protect her reputation and her family’s status, she used her best friend’s name—Eve Song—on the medical documents. She gave birth in secret and placed Alex for adoption. Professor Lee didn't even know Alex existed for nearly thirty years.
This makes Alex the older half-brother of Yuri Han. Seeing their dynamic shift from "colleague and student" to "siblings" is one of the most rewarding arcs in the show, especially because Yuri desperately needs a family member she can actually trust.
Peter Thurnwald: Life Imitating Art
One reason Alex from XO Kitty feels so authentic is that Peter Thurnwald didn’t have to do much "research" for the role. He lived it.
Thurnwald is a Korean-born Australian adoptee in real life. He was born in South Korea and adopted by Australian parents when he was just six months old. During the casting process, the role was originally written for an American actor, but once the showrunners met Peter, they pivoted. They let him keep his natural Australian accent, which honestly makes the character way more unique in the sea of American and Korean accents on screen.
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"I and Alex are both very loyal and care about other people a lot," Thurnwald mentioned in an interview with the South China Morning Post. "But the thing that is most similar is that we are both adopted and have experienced the same thing growing up in Australia—the experience of not knowing who you are."
He even shared that his own search for his birth mother hit a wall because the orphanage records burned down. Bringing those real-world stakes to Alex’s storyline is why those scenes with Professor Lee feel so raw. When Alex finally confronts Lee, it isn't just scripted drama; it's a reflection of a very real, very terrifying fear of rejection that many adoptees face.
Why Alex Matters More Than the Romance
Let’s be real: most people watch XO, Kitty for the Min Ho vs. Dae vs. Kitty drama. It's fun! It's messy!
But Alex represents the "adult" side of the search for identity. While Kitty is trying to find her mom’s "first love," Alex is trying to find his own blood. He’s the one who teaches Kitty that life doesn't always run on "Kitty Schedule." He’s patient, he’s a bit of a dork, and he’s incredibly brave for moving to a country where he doesn't even speak the language fluently just to stand in the same hallways his parents once did.
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The relationship between Alex and Professor Lee is particularly spicy because Lee is... well, he's a lot. He's strict, he's often mean, and he's clearly still nursing a broken heart from decades ago. Watching Alex try to bond with this man without revealing his identity—until he finally snaps—is peak television.
What’s Next for Alex in Season 3?
Netflix has officially renewed XO, Kitty for Season 3, and fans are already theorizing about where Alex goes from here. Now that the truth is out, the dynamic at KISS is going to be wildly different.
- The Family Reunion: We need to see Jina, Lee, Alex, and Yuri actually sit down for a meal that doesn't end in a secret being revealed or someone running away.
- The Adoptive Parents: There’s been plenty of chatter on Reddit about Alex’s Australian parents. Seeing them fly to Seoul to meet his biological parents would be the ultimate "blended family" moment.
- A Love Interest: Alex spent all of Season 1 and much of Season 2 focused on his parents. He's one of the most likable characters on the show; give the man a date! Fans have been shipping him with various characters, but honestly, he deserves someone who isn't caught up in high school drama.
The Impact of a Korean-Australian Lead
You don't see many Korean-Australian stories in mainstream Hollywood or even in the K-drama world. By keeping Alex's Australian roots, the show highlights a specific part of the diaspora that usually gets ignored. It adds a layer of "fish out of water" that even Kitty doesn't have, because at least Kitty has her sisters and her dad. Alex was truly on his own until he found his footing at KISS.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Alex from XO Kitty, keep an eye on Peter Thurnwald’s other work like Players or Bump. He’s a rising star for a reason.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Rewatch Season 1, Episode 8: This is where the clues about Jina and Eve really start to converge. Pay attention to the way Jina reacts whenever Alex is mentioned.
- Follow the Cast: Peter Thurnwald is quite active on social media and often shares behind-the-scenes looks at filming in Seoul, which gives a lot of context to the production.
- Support Adoptee Narratives: If Alex's story resonated with you, look for documentaries or memoirs by Korean adoptees to understand the real-life complexities of the "return to Korea" journey.