The fictional heartthrob from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before shows how romance can survive dating apps and social media.
Back in 2018, I was casually scrolling through Twitter when I saw Netflix had released a trailer for a new film named “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Paired with musician Lauv’s irresistibly catchy song “I Like Me Better” and featuring an Asian American lead in a rom-com, the trailer had me hooked. The one thing: it was a teen rom-com.
This isn’t to say I’m above watching a movie catered towards middle and high school students, but after regrettably watching Netflix’s last teen rom-com, “The Kissing Booth,” to say my expectations were low would be, well a lie. But, wanting to support Asian representation in film and hearing friends gush about the movie, I finally sat down and watched it.
And it was there, on my living room couch one overcast summer day in Washington, I discovered Peter Kavinsky.
For those unfamiliar with the Peter Kavinsky and the franchise, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (to save my fingers from endlessly typing the title, moving forward I’ll abbreviate the film as TATB) is based on a book series written by Jenny Han. The book series, and later Netflix film, follows Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) and what happens when the five secret love letters she’s written for five separate crushes are sent to each boy.
Through a tricky circumstance surrounding one love letter being addressed to her older sister’s boyfriend, Lara Jean convinces another recipient, Peter Kavinsky, to be her fake boyfriend. Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) agrees because he believes it will help make his ex-girlfriend jealous and Lara Jean can deny liking her sister’s boyfriend. And, if you’ve ever seen any rom-com with the fake relationship trope, I’m sure you can guess how this ends.
The first film in the series was nothing short of a massive success. It’s been reported that TATB is one of Netflix’s “most viewed original films ever with strong repeat viewing” and its success carried over beyond streaming numbers. The film was another win for Asian representation in mainstream films, it was part of the “rom-com comeback” and shot its leading actors to fame. Especially Centineo.
Well, to be more specific, it shot Peter Kavinsky to fame. Centineo just so happened to be the 6-foot-killer-smile-deep-brown-eyes guy that got to play him.
This isn’t to say Centineo isn’t a good actor or didn’t get to use TATB to launch his career. He’s still a highly in-demand celebrity crush and has landed several other acting gigs, likely because his fans are eager to get new content and studios are more than happy to oblige to make some quick cash. But, it is worth pointing out that Centineo is vastly different than his breakout character.
Upon the film’s initial release the internet went into a Peter Kavinsky/Noah Centineo frenzy. Because Centineo was a fairly unknown actor prior to TATB, fans projected the character of Kavinsky onto him. And, for a while, it worked. Centineo was the heartthrob of the internet with memes and accounts dedicated to how girls are just “waiting for their Peter Kavinsky.”
But, as Centineo’s time in the spotlight continued his true personality was pushed further into public view. To be clear, Centineo isn’t a bad guy, he’s just, well, to be frank, a little cringy. His Instagram became crowded with pictures of him that could have belonged to any 2012 Tumblr account and were accompanied by quotes that appear profound but are really more vague than anything. His Twitter littered timelines with thoughts that left people asking, “Is this guy ok?”
And this is where the distinction between character and actor started to become clear. Centineo was turning into a meme and another example of a young guy who knows he’s attractive and can easily get attention and validation through a post on Instagram. Peter Kavinsky, although fictional, represented the type of guy girls, and women, want.
The troupe of Peter Kavinsky isn’t new. He’s popular with everyone, a jock, of course, but has a sweet side. He’s never looking for an open seat at a lunch table because one has been reserved for him but he also actively works to win over the approval of Lara Jean’s little sister, Kitty.
As I said before, the sensitive jock character isn’t revolutionary. Chad Michael Murray was the literary lover and all-star quarterback Austin Ames in “A Cinderella Story” and in the “High School Musical” franchise Zac Efron was the basketball player who could secretly sing. But, what makes Peter Kavinsky stand out is how he’s managed to be a gentleman in the new world of dating with technology.
Between Instagram, Snapchat and texting etiquette, the dating landscape has shifted into a lawless wild west landscape. No official rules regulate dating anymore but a definite guideline exists.
Today, liking a crush’s most recent post on Instagram holds the same weight as catching their eye across a crowded room. A good morning text message might as well be a poem. The timeline of a relationship’s progression has expanded to include phase’s like “talking” and “going on dates” (not to be confused with actually dating. Confusing, right?). This isn’t me trying to bash on young people and dating in the technology era, but it is true the traditional dating practices have transformed into something entirely new.
Technology has redefined what dating looks like. Thanks to apps like Tinder and Bumble, the dating pools people can pick from have expanded. And, to be fair, it’s much easier to slide into someone’s DMs than to strike up a conversation in class. While, again, this isn’t necessarily better or worse, it is hard for girls and women who grew up learning about grand romantic gestures and fantastic love stories to settle for a boy can’t ask for your number but will add you on Snapchat after getting your username from a mutual friend.
What has captured the attention and admiration of Peter Kavinsky for millions of girls and women is he seems to have found the balance to playing by the dating guidelines defined by Instagram stories and iMessage while pulling out moves straight from a John Hughes film. Peter Kavinsky still takes time to tag Lara Jean in a picture proudly showing her off as his girlfriend but also drives across town to get her favorite Korean snacks.
Peter Kavinsky knows how to show Lara Jean his affection both online and in real life. Yes, he’s still a high school boy who misreads situations and continues to stumble through his navigation of young love. But, all his acts to woo Lara Jean are done with such sincerity and respect for her it’s easy to forgive his occasional misstep.
Because while the route to a relationship has changed, the goal and feelings haven’t. All people want is to find someone they can trust, be themselves with and feel valued by. It’s hard to do that when questions like I wonder if they’re texting with someone else? and Does it mean anything that they watch my Instagram stories but never like my posts? linger.
While fictional, Peter Kavinsky somehow serves as this beacon of hope that love can co-exist in person and on a phone.
The Beat @APU 