Newtopia

A WILD, ROMANTIC ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Newtopia is a fresh and chaotic mix of romance, action, and zombie comedy that manages to bring something new to the well-trodden apocalyptic genre. With a star-studded cast, solid direction, and an engaging premise, it delivers both thrilling moments and unexpected humor.

The premise of a breakup-turned-survival-quest adds an interesting emotional layer, making their journey more than just about escaping zombies. It's also about navigating their relationship and figuring out if they should even be together.
The pacing is fast and intense, with chaotic chase scenes, absurd comedy, and moments of raw emotion. It doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition, diving straight into the outbreak and throwing the protagonists into extreme situations.

Park Jeong-min shines as the everyman-turned-reluctant-hero, balancing desperation with determination. Jisoo delivers a strong performance, bringing depth to her character’s frustrations and fears. Their chemistry is believable, especially in the tension between rekindled love and unresolved issues.

The supporting cast adds to the drama, with some memorable side characters who provide both comic relief and emotional weight. Unlike typical zombie dramas that focus solely on survival, Newtopia explores how people react in absurd, almost satirical ways when society collapses.

This drama doesn’t take itself too seriously, offering ironic twists and playful commentary on relationships. Some moments are outright ridiculous (in a good way), making it feel more like a Train to Busan meets Shaun of the Dead rather than a straight horror-thriller.

Conclusion:
Newtopia is a fresh and engaging take on the zombie genre, offering a mix of romance, action, and absurdity. If you’re looking for something fun, fast-paced, and different from typical apocalypse dramas, this is worth watching.

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zombies, comedy, and character growth: a surprisingly solid journey

updated review

after finishing the series, i can confidently say it got a lot better as it went on. the second half was hands down the best, with perfect comedic timing and excellent character dynamics. youngjoo and aaron park ♡ became the standout characters! their swag and unique way of thinking brought so much life to the show. it felt like the characters finally found their rhythm, and the humor really clicked.

jisoo's performance was the highlight. while i initially felt she was somewhat restrained by the fast paced humor, she truly shone in the later episodes. her acting was phenomenal, and her character became the emotional core of the show. it was clear that she had a lot to offer when given the right material. <3

the supporting characters also stepped up their game. jae yoon and young joo brought depth to their roles, making the story more engaging... i was especially impressed by how well the two female characters were written. they were absolutely the backbone of the series, and i believe they were the smartest of all.

i'm indeed sad by the deaths of some major characters. it’s always tough to see favorite characters go, but in a zombie drama, it’s part of the territory. their deaths added emotional weight to the narrative, making the stakes feel much higher.

☆ while the beginning of the series was a bit slow, especially episodes 1 and 3 (they were AWFUL) the later episodes made up for it. the pacing issues were real, but once the series hit its stride, it was hard to deny its charm. i still think it would’ve been better if all the episodes had been released at once (or at least in batches). the one episode per-week model didn’t help build momentum, especially when the show had its slow moments early on. i believe binge-watching it would have made for a more satisfying experience. the ending was beautiful tho.

that said, it met my expectations and then some. the blend of zombie-action and comedy was unique, and the characters were what really kept me hooked. i’m giving it an 8/10. better writing, much-improved pacing, and a fantastic cast. hope there's a second season!

also, stream amortage while you are at it. no matter how much jisoo thrives in her acting career, her music is always gonna top it.

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review for the first half of the drama:

i know this review might get some people ruffled up, but i’m going to say it anyway. this drama definitely has its moments, but it’s also lacking in uhh some areas. first off, i don’t think jisoo is the weak link when it comes to the acting, despite what some viewers are saying. the other actors are pretty good too. the issue isn’t her performance…in fact, in this comedy, it feels like she’s being pushed into something that doesn’t let her show her full potential. the fast paced humor and exaggerated situations just don’t match her natural style, which is a bit of a shame because i think she could’ve really thrived like in snowdrop (for the record, no i have not watched that drama but have seen of the clips).

now, my biggest problem with this drama is the “writing”. comedy isn’t for everyone, and this drama is a clear example of that. i really dislike when characters are dumbed down just to make the audience laugh. it feels like the male characters, in particular, are written to be ridiculously clueless, and instead of being funny, it just makes everything feel forced. it’s frustrating because the potential for more depth and everything is there, but it’s being sacrificed for cheap laughs 🫠. honestly…it’s hard to enjoy a show when the characters’ intelligence is treated like a punchline.

as much as i’m a blink and sooya, and still having fun with the show, i can’t ignore the pacing issue. the drama would have worked SO MUCH better if all the episodes were released at once. watching one episode per week feels like a drag. it’s hard to build momentum when you’re just getting small pieces of the story at a time. if it were all available to binge, i think it’d be a much more satisfying experience. the slow pacing really hurts the overall flow of the show, and it’s starting to feel like it’s dragging on longer than it needs to. 😓

for now, i’ve dropped my rating to a 7. the writing needs work, and the pacing is a real problem. i’m still hopeful the drama will improve as the last 3 eps come out, but at this point, i’m tempted to just wait until the entire season is available and binge-watch it in one go!!

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