New Zombie Romantic Comedy Series 'Newtopia' Set to Premiere
A unique blend of zombie horror and romantic comedy is coming to screens with the new series 'Newtopia'. The production press conference took place on January 7 at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, featuring cast members Park Jung-min (박정민), Jisoo (지수), and director Yoon Sung-hyun (윤성현).
'Newtopia' tells the story of a late-blooming soldier, Jae-yoon, and his determined girlfriend, Young-joo, as they navigate a zombie-infested Seoul to reunite. Directed by Yoon Sung-hyun, known for films like 'The King’s Case Note' (파수꾼) and 'Time to Hunt' (사냥의 시간), the series promises a fresh take on the K-zom-com genre, combining visually appealing zombies with romantic elements.
Park Jung-min plays Jae-yoon, a soldier who is solely focused on his girlfriend despite the world falling apart around him. Jisoo portrays Young-joo, a strong-willed girlfriend who bravely faces hordes of zombies to find Jae-yoon. Their chemistry is expected to shine through, even amidst the chaos of a zombie apocalypse.
During the event, Park Jung-min introduced himself, stating, "Hello, I am Park Jung-min, playing Jae-yoon in this series." Jisoo and director Yoon also shared their introductions. Park explained his character's situation: "I am a late-blooming soldier, and as Young-joo waits for me, our relationship becomes strained. Just as we are on the brink of breaking up, zombies invade Seoul. Jae-yoon is stationed on the 77th floor and runs down to the first floor, while Young-joo fights her way through the zombies to reach him."
Jisoo added, "Young-joo is a fresh graduate waiting for Jae-yoon, who joined the military late. As she faces challenges in her new life, their relationship becomes distant. When disaster strikes, she realizes her love for Jae-yoon and bravely rushes to him."
Director Yoon shared insights on the creation of 'Newtopia', expressing his long-standing love for zombie stories and how he was drawn to the script after reading it twice. He noted, "I wanted to create something unique, especially since many zombie stories have been released recently. My goal was to introduce a fresh perspective and feeling through this project."
Park Jung-min, who has collaborated with Yoon before, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I debuted under the director's guidance and have always appreciated him. There was no reason to decline his offer, especially since I was curious about his take on comedy. It was meaningful for me to be offered the lead role in his project."
Jisoo also shared her excitement about the script, noting that it presented a colorful and unique take on the zombie genre, which influenced her decision to join the cast without hesitation.
The director had Park Jung-min in mind for the role of Jae-yoon from the start, emphasizing the importance of character uniqueness in the series. He praised Jisoo's humor and talent, stating, "It’s not easy to make people laugh, but she has a natural charm that shines through."
As the two actors shared their experiences, Park Jung-min revealed that he plans to keep signed CDs and couple photos with Jisoo as cherished mementos. He humorously recalled how he once struggled to approach her during their previous project, 'The King’s Case Note'.
The two actors expressed their excitement about reuniting for 'Newtopia', with Jisoo recalling how she felt honored to work alongside Park Jung-min again. They both praised each other's performances and support during filming, especially in scenes that required them to communicate over the phone.
Despite the zombie theme limiting their romantic scenes, Park Jung-min expressed hope for a sequel, saying, "It’s a bit disappointing, but if 'Newtopia 2' happens, we can explore that more. I’m looking forward to it!"
As Jisoo embarks on her acting career while balancing her role in BLACKPINK, she shared her hopes for the series' success, feeling a familial bond with her group members who support each other’s endeavors.
'Newtopia' is set to premiere on Coupang Play on February 7 at 8 PM.
