"A sweet romance amid zombies" – Coupang Play's 'Newtopia' brings freshness to zombie horror genre

On the morning of January 7 KST, Coupang Play hosted the production press conference for its highly anticipated new drama Newtopia at Seoul’s Conrad Hotel. Directed by Yoon Sung Hyun (Bleak Night, Time to Hunt), the series stars Park Jung Min and BLACKPINK's Jisoo in a captivating zombie-infused love story.

Set in a dystopian Seoul overrun by zombies, Newtopia tells the story of Jaeyoon (Park Jung Min), a soldier, and his girlfriend Youngjoo (Jisoo), as they navigate the chaos to reunite. The drama, combining a unique mix of romance and horror, has generated significant buzz even before its premiere, thanks partly to the project being Jisoo's first major one since her new start under her own company BLISSOO.

Director Yoon explained the series title "Newtopia" during the event. "Initially, I thought, ‘What does this mean?’ but the more I reflected, the more fitting it seemed. Jaeyoon and Youngjoo face real-world struggles like military service, employment, and relationships. Yet, in the disaster scenario, all these worries lose meaning, creating a different realm of concerns. It’s ironic that in such despair, a small hope emerges, and I found this perspective refreshing."

The series focuses on portraying zombies in a novel way. "Recently, many zombie stories have leaned heavily into fear," Yoon said. "I wanted to return to a time when zombies were quirky and humorous. This retro approach, combined with today’s sensibilities, felt like it could offer a unique viewing experience." The creative direction is reflected in the drama’s precise cinematography, featuring symmetrical framing and overhead shots to emphasize visual storytelling.

The released stills also evoke a webtoon style of humor, complete with Youngjoo's past as 'the goddess of the engineering school' emphasized in a scene where she is surrounded by male students in glasses and plaid shirts. Youngjoo is a young professional grappling with societal pressures who decides to end her relationship with Jaeyoon—only to rediscover her feelings during the crisis. Jisoo shared her excitement about taking on the role: "Youngjoo is a character who grows through her choices, and I wanted to explore that journey."

This is Jisoo’s second lead acting role after the 2021 JTBC drama Snowdrop. When asked about her growing career as an actress, she admitted feeling pressure but welcomed the attention. "The support motivates me to do better. I received a lot of help from the director and my co-stars, and I’ve worked hard to show growth."

Jisoo also spoke about the encouragement she received from her BLACKPINK members—Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. "Whenever something good happens, the members are genuinely happy for me, just as I am for their successes. Their encouragement made me even more determined to do well in Newtopia. I hope the series achieves great results and makes them proud," she said. She added that this family-like relationship gave her strength during filming.

Park Jung Min praised Jisoo’s dedication. "Jisoo surprised us all with her stamina and positivity on set," he said. Director Yoon also remarked on her exceptional physical endurance, comparing her to actors renowned for their fitness. "Her energy was unmatched—it was truly impressive."

In fact, when asked about the physical challenges of filming action scenes, Jisoo surprised reporters by confessing the physical demands of the role were not that difficult as her stamina is regularly good. What was difficult, however, was having to wear the same clothes over six months as the weather changed—for example, wearing warm clothing while shooting on a hot and humid day.

Park Jung Min also shared a heartfelt story about his admiration for BLACKPINK. "I have a cabinet at home for my most precious things, and in the front are two signed BLACKPINK albums. I got them through Kim Go Eun a while back. The first album says, ‘Thank you, Jung Min sunbaenim, for your support,’ but the second album, which I recently received, says, ‘Jung Min oppa, let’s work well together.’ When I see those albums, I feel proud of how far I’ve come, and they inspire me to work even harder."

Jisoo was equally touched by Park’s efforts during filming. She recounted a moment when he came to the set on his day off to ensure their phone call scene felt authentic. "I was so surprised to learn he was actually there, hidden behind the set," she said, expressing her gratitude. Park humbly added, "It was possible because the set was close to my home. But Jisoo amazed everyone by traveling all the way to Anseong early in the morning just to support us."

Park Jung Min gained weight for the role of Jaeyoon, embodying a reliable soldier leading his comrades. "While the director didn’t ask for it, I felt the character needed a sturdy appearance. After filming, I had to lose 17kg quickly for another project," he shared, impressing the audience.

During the series, Jisoo, as Youngjoo, teams up with a group of survivors played by Kang Young Seok, Lee Hak Joo, and Tang Joon Sang. Meanwhile, Park’s Jaeyoon is joined by Im Sung Jae and Kim Joon Han. Both actors emphasized the camaraderie on set, with Park noting, "I’m usually the youngest on set, but this time I took on a leadership role. The team’s support meant everything."

Despite the grim backdrop, humor permeated the production. Jisoo described the filming environment as a "laugh challenge," as the aforementioned cast members constantly competed to make each other laugh between intense scenes. She also admitted that there were quite a few moments on set where she had difficulty holding in her laughter due to the comedic nature of the drama even during the characters' more dire situations.

Newtopia balances the terror of a zombie apocalypse with poignant human connections. Its unique blend of humor, visual storytelling, and heartfelt performances is set to captivate viewers. Fans of BLACKPINK are particularly excited to see Jisoo showcase her acting talents alongside seasoned actor Park Jung Min.

Meanwhile, Newtopia will officially premiere on February 7 KST through both Coupang Play and Amazon Prime Video, where it will be available in 240 regions around the world.

Check out the full trailer for the first episode below, and stay tuned for further updates!