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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Started with No Soul (Just Like Zombies) but Actually Improved Over Time (Not Like Zombies)

Honestly, the second half was way better than the first. At first, the show gave us some action, some comedy, some romance, and some good-looking gore, but none of these elements really came together to create a solid picture. That's why I said it felt soulless - it just felt empty. Later on, though, they actually started using these elements much more effectively.

The first episode was pretty weak to me (I think Coupang felt the same, since they released two episodes in the first week lol). Not just because it dragged a bit, but also because it didn't properly introduce the characters. They focused much more on showing the leads' relationship rather than making them interesting as individuals, which was unfortunate because, for most of the drama, they don't really interact with each other. I feel it would've been better to first make them interesting as standalone characters, and then develop their relationship as a couple.

That's why, in the first half, I didn't really care about anyone, which was disappointing because, having seen the director's previous works, I knew he has the ability to present characters you're curious about or at least feel some kind of connection to. Sam Su and Su Jeong had some fun moments, but nothing that really amazed me. That changed in the second half. Both Jae Yun and Yeong Ju were given more time to develop as individuals, and suddenly, they became much more interesting to watch. The whole metro sequence with one of them was SO GOOD.

Everything that started happening at that point was just so much better to watch. It felt like they finally managed to blend the genres the way they wanted to.

The performances were pretty good. Jisoo really isn't as bad as people say. It'll take her a while to break away from her idol image since she was in it for so long, but with a few more projects, I think she'll be fine.

There was some wasted potential in certain characters, though, like Ra In Ho. At one point, they teased us into believing there might be something more to his character, but they never really addressed it later.

The music? It was fine. Some of the BGMs were cool, but nothing extraordinary.

Overall, I feel pretty mixed. I think I'm giving it a higher rating than it actually deserves, but the second half left me with a really good impression, so I'm letting it stay that way. I probably expected more because of the director and cast (and the fact that I usually really like zombie dramas), but despite its problems, it's still a decent watch. Definitely not a bad drama - just not the great one it could've been.

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