Newtopia is a unique Korean drama that mixes romance, comedy, and zombie apocalypse into one short but impactful series. It tells the story of a couple, Lee Jae-yoon and Kang Young-joo, who find themselves caught in a massive zombie outbreak just after going through a painful breakup.
Streaming: Coupang Play (Korea), Amazon Prime Video (Global)
Newtopia : Explained
In “Newtopia”, we follow the emotional and action-packed journey of Lee Jae-yoon, a dedicated soldier stationed on a rooftop defense post in Seoul. He’s brave, loyal, and committed to protecting others—but his love life is hanging by a thread. His girlfriend, Kang Young-joo, is ambitious and full of energy, recently starting a new job that demands her full attention.
As the pressures of life mount, their once-strong relationship begins to crumble under the weight of distance, misunderstandings, and emotional disconnect. Eventually, the couple breaks up, leaving both of them heartbroken.
But fate has other plans.Just as their personal lives unravel, a terrifying zombie outbreak hits the city, turning Seoul into a battleground of chaos and survival. Jae-yoon finds himself trapped on a high-rise rooftop with his unit, surrounded by danger on all sides.
Meanwhile, Young-joo, driven by love and determination, refuses to let the breakup or the outbreak stop her. She arms herself with courage and sets out on a dangerous journey through zombie-infested streets—risking everything to reunite with the man she still loves.
Newtopia
Cast and Performances: Newtopia
Jisoo
Jisoo, best known globally as a member of BLACKPINK, delivers a powerful performance as Kang Young-joo. She portrays a character who is not only heartbroken but fiercely determined to survive and protect those she cares about. Jisoo balances the emotional weight of heartbreak with the physical demands of action-packed zombie scenes.
Her role in Newtopia marks another step in her growing career as a serious actress, and her performance here will likely earn her even more respect in the acting world.
Park Jeong-min takes on the role of Lee Jae-yoon, a conflicted soldier torn between duty to his country and his unresolved feelings for the woman he loves. Park brings a deep emotional resonance to the character, portraying fear, frustration, and longing with authenticity.
His quiet strength and subtle expressions make Jae-yoon a relatable and layered protagonist, especially in scenes where his vulnerability shows beneath his tough military exterior.
The supporting cast brings diversity and texture to the series:
Aaron Park adds a touch of sarcasm and dry humor, offering brief moments of levity in a dark world.
In-ho and Soo-jeong portray a young couple trying to survive together, mirroring Jae-yoon and Young-joo’s relationship but with their own twists.
Tripeater, the tech-savvy strategist, offers logic and calm amidst the chaos.
Tae-shik and Jin-wook, members of Jae-yoon’s unit, add intensity and emotional stakes to the military side of the story.
Newtopia stands out for its bold combination of genres. While it’s full of thrilling zombie action, the heart of the story is really about relationships—how they change under pressure, how people grow, and how love can still matter even when the world is falling apart.
Jisoo (of BLACKPINK) shines in her lead role, and the short 8-episode format keeps the story tight and intense, without dragging.
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