Hello, everyone! How’s it going? Today, I want to discuss a series that I’ve been eagerly anticipating – “Newtopia” on Prime Video. What a unique mix it is: Jisoo from BLACKPINK, zombies, and a romantic comedy all combined! Upon watching the trailer for the first time, I thought, “This could either be fantastic or a total flop.” Spoiler alert: it manages to be both, but in a super entertaining way!
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Jisoo Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone (And How!)
First off, let’s address the big surprise: Jisoo from BLACKPINK in a zombie series! Following the success of “Snowdrop,” there was a lot of excitement to see her return to the screen. What a bold choice of project! She portrays Kang Young-joo, a rookie professional striving to find her place in the world amidst a zombie apocalypse.
You’ve got to hand it to her: she really threw herself into the action sequences. The director mentioned that she spent close to a year filming and underwent intense physical training. Picture Jisoo sprinting from zombies, battling, and performing stunts… It’s surreal! And guess what? She exceeded my expectations.
Park Jeong-min: The Heart of the Show
If Jisoo brings the surprise, Park Jeong-min serves as the emotional core that binds everything together. This actor is INCREDIBLE! He plays Lee Jae-yoon, a man who joined the army later in life and carries many anxieties about what lies ahead. When the zombie apocalypse strikes, he must step up as the leader of his team despite being the most uncertain member of the group. The character’s growth is beautiful to witness. Initially, he’s that guy who seems a bit aimless in life, knowing only that he loves his girlfriend. As the series unfolds and he confronts zombies, he evolves both personally and as a leader. Park Jeong-min perfectly captures every nuance of this transformation.
The Breakup That Occurred at the Worst Moment
The premise of the series is clever: Jae-yoon and Young-joo end their relationship over the phone just as the zombie apocalypse kicks off in Seoul. Talk about bad timing! They were struggling due to his military service and her career beginning, causing a strain in their relationship.
So, on the very day they decide to take a break, chaos erupts in the city with zombies everywhere. Now, they must battle to reunite and survive simultaneously. It’s as if the universe said, “You want to break up? How about doing it in the middle of an apocalypse?”
Zombie + Romance = Zom-Com!
The series markets itself as a “zom-com” (zombie comedy), and honestly, this combination works better than I anticipated! The moments of terror from the zombies are interspersed with hilarious scenes, especially those involving Jae-yoon and his military friends. The humor feels organic, arising naturally from the ludicrous situations they find themselves in.
There’s a particularly memorable scene where they are trapped atop a luxury skyscraper in Gangnam while zombies climb the stairs, and the guys attempt to maintain military order amid the chaos. It’s both funny and tense!
The Dream Team Behind the Scenes
Guys, take a look at the team responsible for this series: directed by Yoon Sung-hyun (known for “Bleak Night” and “Time to Hunt”), with a script co-written by Han Jin-won (who worked on “Parasite!”) and Ji Ho-jin (from “A Shop for Killers”). With such a stellar team, the quality is assured.
And it’s not just the creative team that impresses. The production invested significantly – evident in the quality of action scenes, the special effects for the zombies, and the cinematography. Each shot resembles a film rather than a TV series.
Seoul as an Apocalyptic Backdrop
One aspect that truly amazed me is how they transformed Seoul into a post-apocalyptic landscape. Seeing familiar tourist attractions overrun by zombies is eerie! The series cleverly utilizes Seoul’s geography, particularly the Gangnam district where a lot of the action unfolds.
The zombies themselves are well-crafted – no cheap CGI here. They’re frightening when they need to be, but they don’t go overboard with the gore. It’s a fascinating balance that keeps the series approachable even for those who aren’t typically fans of horror.
The Relationship That Gradually Wins
I’ll be honest: initially, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the chemistry between Jisoo and Park Jeong-min. It felt a bit forced, you know? But as the series goes on and reveals more flashbacks of their relationship, things improve significantly.
The flashbacks illustrate how they met and fell in love, and these moments are genuinely adorable. Witnessing the development of their relationship helps to understand why they are fighting so hard to reconnect amid the apocalypse. It’s about true love, not just physical attraction.
Jisoo’s Growth as an Actress
I must mention Jisoo’s performance. Yes, she’s still carving out her niche as an actress, but wow, she has made significant progress since “Snowdrop”! The action sequences particularly showcase a more confident and determined Jisoo.
She herself mentioned discovering her enjoyment of filming action scenes. And you can truly see it! There’s a moment where she battles zombies in a single uninterrupted take that is breathtaking. You can tell she seriously prepared for these sequences.
Genuine Moments of Tension
Despite the comedic elements, “Newtopia” doesn’t shy away from tension. There are genuinely frightening moments that keep you on the edge of your seat, cheering for the characters to survive. The series successfully balances humor with suspense, keeping you glued to the screen.
Especially the scenes in the skyscraper, where Jae-yoon’s team is trapped and searching for an escape. It’s like a claustrophobic action film, but with comedic touches that relieve the tension perfectly at the right moments.
The Controversial Ending
Without revealing significant spoilers, the series’ conclusion is somewhat divisive. Some fans loved it, while others felt frustrated. It’s one of those open endings that leaves several questions unanswered and opens the door for a potential second season.
What I can say is that the reunion between Jae-yoon and Young-joo is thrilling, but it comes with unexpected twists. There’s even a mysterious supernatural creature that appears in the final episodes – as if zombies weren’t enough!
Comparisons with Other Zombie K-Dramas
It’s hard not to compare “Newtopia” with other genre favorites like “Kingdom”, “Sweet Home”, and “All of Us Are Dead”. Honestly, “Newtopia” stands apart from all of them. It’s lighter, more centered on romance, and carries a more optimistic vibe.
While other zombie dramas delve into horror and despair, “Newtopia” focuses on discovering love and hope even amidst chaos. It’s a refreshing take on the genre that might even attract those who typically don’t enjoy zombie stories.
Should You Watch It?
The question on everyone’s mind: is it worth watching? My response: it depends on what you seek. If you’re after a serious, dark zombie series, this may not be the one for you. But if you’re looking for an enjoyable blend of action, comedy, and romance set against an apocalyptic backdrop, “Newtopia” delivers.
The series has its flaws – pacing can be inconsistent, some character choices are puzzling, and not all storylines are fully fleshed out. But therein lies its charm. It’s a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s quite refreshing.
For Jisoo Fans and New Viewers
If you’re a fan of Jisoo or BLACKPINK, it’s definitely worth watching to see her in a completely different light. And if you haven’t seen her act before, this could be a great introduction – it’s much more dynamic than “Snowdrop”.
For general k-drama fans, it’s an intriguing option if you’re seeking something different from the norm. It’s not a masterpiece, but it offers quality entertainment with an original concept.