Blackpink’s Jisoo to Star in Zombie Romance Thriller Newtopia, Showcasing Her Acting Prowess
Korean superstar Jisoo, known as a member of the globally successful K-pop group BLACKPINK, is set to take on an exciting acting role in the new series Newtopia.
While BLACKPINK continues to dominate the music industry with hits like “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Kill This Love”, Jisoo has been surprising her fans with her acting talents.
Newtopia follows the story of Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park), a military conscript, and Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), a young professional, whose relationship is put to the test first by a breakup and then by a zombie outbreak in Seoul.
Under the direction of Yoon Sung-hyun, the series blends thrilling action with light-hearted romance, offering a fresh take on the zombie genre.
A Unique Take on Zombies
Jisoo expressed her excitement about the project and its innovative portrayal of zombies. “During the pre-production phase, they showed us some prototypes of the zombies, and many of them were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I haven’t had a chance to see how they translated onto the screen yet, so I’m very curious.” She also teased the uniqueness of the zombies, saying, “Some of the zombies don’t resemble humans at all and look quite unique, so I think a lot of viewers will go, ‘Oh, I never imagined zombies could be designed this way.’”
In addition to its thrilling elements, the show also incorporates moments of humor. “Whenever situations or emotions start to feel heavy, different characters take turns breaking the grave mood,” Jisoo explained. “We have many moments when characters turn a situation into something funny, giving the audience a chance to laugh.”
Nicknamed a ‘Zom-Com’ by the Cast
Park Jeong-min, who plays Lee Jae-yoon, describes the series as “more adorable, humorous, and light-hearted — a true zombie romantic comedy, a ‘zom-com.’”
He was drawn to the project because of this unique approach and expressed how much fun he had working with Jisoo. “From the very first moment, the chemistry between us was great, and it was easy to form a close bond.”
Park also spoke about the creative challenges of the role. “Being placed in situations that I have never experienced — and likely never will — was the most intriguing aspect of working on this series.”
He explained that the show allowed him to explore different possibilities of human behavior in extreme scenarios.
Jisoo’s Dedication to Action Sequences
Following her success in Snowdrop, Newtopia presented new challenges for Jisoo, particularly in terms of action scenes. “This was my first time working on a project set in a zombie apocalypse, and I discovered how much I enjoy filming action sequences.”
The role required intense physical preparation, with Jisoo training rigorously to ensure she could keep up with the demanding scenes.
One of the most challenging sequences involved running and fighting zombies in a single take. “It demanded a lot of physical strength, and keeping up with all the running was a challenge,” she shared.
To avoid injuries, she followed a strict recovery routine that included warm baths and stretching.
A Fairytale Disguised as a Zombie Series
Park likened Newtopia to a “fairytale disguised as a zombie series,” comparing it to the cult classic Warm Bodies (2013). He credited director Yoon Sung-hyun for taking a fresh approach, stating that he “steps slightly away from traditional formulas to present a fresh story and an innovative narrative style.”
Jisoo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how Newtopia balances its dark themes with humor and heartwarming moments.
“A zombie apocalypse can feel like a heavy theme, but ‘Newtopia’ balances the grimness with characters who navigate the chaos in unique ways, all while keeping a sense of humor.”
Premiere Details and Anticipation
The series is set to premiere globally on Prime Video and Korean streamer Coupang Play on February 7th. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see Jisoo in this new and unexpected role, bringing both her charm and action skills to a fresh take on the zombie genre.
