Coupang Play’s original series “Newtopia” has officially wrapped up its 8-episode run, sweeping No. 1 rankings and hearts alike. Based on Han Sang-woon’s novel “Influenza,” the series redefined the zombie genre by infusing it with romance, launching a bold new wave of K-content dubbed the “zomcom” (zombie + romcom) trend.
Directed by Yoon Sung-hyun and written by Han Jin-won and Ji Ho-jin, the high-budget series reportedly surpassed the 120 billion KRW mark, making it one of the most ambitious Korean dramas of its kind. Set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul, the story follows soldier Jae-yoon (Park Jung-min) and his long-distance girlfriend Young-joo (Jisoo) as they desperately fight to reunite amid a zombie outbreak.
The finale, released on March 22, turned the emotional dial to full blast. From heartbreaking sacrifices to thrilling twists, “Newtopia“ kept viewers on edge until its final moments. As Jae-yoon’s group nears escape, tragedy strikes when Sergeant Kim (Kim Sang-heun) turns into a zombie, and Kyung-sik (Kim Jung-jin) abruptly leaves the group. Meanwhile, Young-joo experiences a hallucinatory encounter with a station worker, later revealed to be a mirage, before finally reuniting with Jae-yoon in a tearful, emotional climax.
The scene where Young-joo, battered and bloodied, meets Jae-yoon and softly says, “You can’t even imagine what I’ve been through.” left a lasting impact and became one of the most quoted lines among fans.
Global Praise for a Genre-Defining Drama
International media outlets lauded “Newtopia”‘s originality. The New York Times called it “a fun show from start to finish!”, while Sportskeeda praised its “surprisingly convincing storyline.” Viewers around the globe were just as enthusiastic, commenting:
- “A refreshing take on zombie content! Captures so many shades of human nature.”
- “A series that makes you pay attention to every episode! So entertaining from start to finish!”
- “Amazing cinematography and lovable, hilarious characters. A great show!”
Korean viewers echoed the sentiment with comments like:
- “Best zombie drama made in Korea!”
- “When Jae-yoon and Young-joo finally met, I felt emotional too. It’s gory, funny, cute, and just insanely good.”
- “Totally fun! No explanation needed. Just watch it, you won’t stop bingeing!”
Even after the finale, fans expressed sadness over its end:
- “It was a lighthearted joy, and now I feel so empty.”
- “What will I look forward to on Fridays now? It kept getting better. This is now my favorite zombie drama!”
Star Performances Elevate a Zombie Tale
Park Jung-min earned praise for his immersive performance as the tormented yet determined Jae-yoon, while Jisoo’s portrayal of Young-joo was widely hailed as a revelation. Critics and viewers noted her emotional range and physical dedication to action scenes, particularly as she navigated loss, isolation, and hope.
Jisoo shared her thoughts through her agency BLISSOO on March 26, “It felt like a truly special project brought to life by many incredible actors and staff, and I’m honored to have been part of it. Playing Young-joo helped me reflect on many forgotten but precious things. I’m grateful to her and hope everyone who watched Newtopia continues running toward hope. Please keep cheering for Young-joo.”
Jisoo’s performance — especially in scenes where she loses her team and braves the undead city alone — was applauded for emotional depth and physical intensity. Supporting actors Lim Sung-jae, Kim Joon-han, Kang Young-seok, Bin Chan-wook, and Hong Seo-hee also contributed significantly to the drama’s high production quality.
A Coupang Play Phenomenon
Since its premiere on February 7, “Newtopia” consistently topped Coupang Play’s charts, becoming a flagship series for the platform. Co-produced by Bound Entertainment and Billions Plus, all eight episodes are now available for streaming.
Thanks to Yoon Sung-hyun’s visionary direction, Han Jin-won and Ji Ho-jin’s gripping script, and the cast’s passionate performances, “Newtopia” has reasserted the global power of K-content. Even after its finale, the drama continues to dominate Coupang Play’s Top 20 Most-Watched, with growing anticipation for a potential Season 2.
If “Newtopia” has taught us anything, it’s this: even in a world overrun by zombies, love, resilience, and Korean storytelling will always find a way to survive — and shine.
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