Director Yoon Sung-hyun, along with stars Park Jeong-min and Jisoo, came together at a press conference in Seoul to share insights about their upcoming series Newtopia. The story follows Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park Jeong-min), a soldier fulfilling his compulsory military service, and his girlfriend Kang Young-joo (played by Jisoo) as they fight to reunite in a zombie-infested Seoul. Packed with action, romance, comedy, and more, Newtopia promises an exhilarating experience. The series premieres on Prime Video in the Philippines and over 240 countries and territories on February 7. In the meantime, discover why this is a must-watch below.
1. The Top Talent
The talent behind Newtopia is truly remarkable. Park Jeong-min, an award-winning actor with an impressive range, has earned acclaim for his performances in films like Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet and Deliver Us from Evil. Jisoo, celebrated globally as a member of Blackpink, a solo artist, and an actor, brings her own star power to the series. Director Yoon Sung-hyun, known for his highly praised films Bleak Night and Time to Hunt, adds his visionary touch.
The collaboration between Park Jeong-min and Yoon Sung-hyun is especially heartfelt. Reflecting on their history, Park Jeong-min shared, “I debuted through Director Yoon Sung-hyun’s film Bleak Night. He’s one of the people I’m most thankful to, so there’s no reason to decline if he offers me a role. I’ve appeared in all his works, but I was never the main character before. This time, I am, and I’m very thankful.”
Park Jeong-min also revealed his excitement about working with Jisoo again, having previously appeared alongside her in a cameo for the film Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman. A self-proclaimed fan of Blackpink, he expressed his enthusiasm for this reunion. Jisoo shared similar sentiments, saying, “When I heard Park Jeong-min was cast for Newtopia, I felt it would be such an honor to work with him and Director Yoon Sung-hyun.”
2. The K-Zombies
If you haven’t yet seen or heard of Korean zombie films or series, you’ve definitely been missing out. From Train to Busan to the Kingdom series and All of Us Are Dead, K-zombies have taken the world by storm, and for good reason. These stories skillfully blend thrilling action with deep character development and relationships that resonate globally. Director Yoon Sung-hyun, a long-time fan of zombie films, shared, “I’ve always loved zombie stories and have wanted to work on a zombie project for a long time. When I read the script, it was so fun, and I was immediately hooked.”
He teased that Newtopia will blend zombie horror with comedy, offering fresh takes on weaponry, with some unique items used to fend off the undead. “Since I enjoy zombie films so much, I thought about props that could prevent bites, like umbrellas and American football uniforms,” he said. Jisoo also highlighted how the zombies in Newtopia will look a little different from what fans are used to seeing. Don’t miss the chance to see these unique zombies for yourself!
3. The Fun Action
As expected from a thrilling zombie series, Newtopia is packed with action, and both Jisoo and Park Jeong-min have put in considerable effort to bring their intense scenes to life. Jisoo shared, “Before I attended a stunt academy, I couldn’t even tumble forward. After training, I can now tumble five times in a row. It became so fun that I looked forward to every session. The training helped me perform my stunts safely and effectively.” Park Jeong-min, on the other hand, revealed that filming in military boots caused him to develop plantar fasciitis, but reassured fans that he’s fine now and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He also praised Jisoo’s dedication, saying, “I really respected Jisoo for smiling through the tough zombie scenes, especially during the scorching summer heat.”
Jisoo echoed her co-star’s sentiment, adding, “The filming itself wasn’t too difficult, but the hardest part was dealing with the changing seasons while wearing the same warm clothing.” Director Yoon Sung-hyun also commended Jisoo’s stamina, noting that she has the best endurance among all the actors he’s worked with.
4. It’s Not Your Typical Zombie Flick
As expected from a thrilling zombie series, Newtopia is packed with action, and both Jisoo and Park Jeong-min have put in considerable effort to bring their intense scenes to life. Jisoo shared, “Before I attended a stunt academy, I couldn’t even tumble forward. After training, I can now tumble five times in a row. It became so fun that I looked forward to every session. The training helped me perform my stunts safely and effectively.” Park Jeong-min, on the other hand, revealed that filming in military boots caused him to develop plantar fasciitis, but reassured fans that he’s fine now and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He also praised Jisoo’s dedication, saying, “I really respected Jisoo for smiling through the tough zombie scenes, especially during the scorching summer heat.”
Jisoo echoed her co-star’s sentiment, adding, “The filming itself wasn’t too difficult, but the hardest part was dealing with the changing seasons while wearing the same warm clothing.” Director Yoon Sung-hyun also commended Jisoo’s stamina, noting that she has the best endurance among all the actors he’s worked with.
5. The Love Story
At the heart of Newtopia is a relatable romance between a conscripted soldier and his girlfriend, who has entered the workforce ahead of him. Park Jeong-min revealed, “Young-joo starts her career before Jae-yoon, and he feels it might be better for her to move on for her own sake.” Director Yoon Sung-hyun elaborated, “Jae-yoon is weighed down by worries about work, dating, and marriage, but when the zombie outbreak happens, those concerns seem insignificant. The new world is filled with irony—a world overrun by zombies, yet it offers a new kind of hope.” Jisoo’s character, Young-joo, is a former college “goddess” in the engineering department. However, after landing a job, she struggles with waiting for her boyfriend, who is serving in the military. She suggests taking a break, only to regret it when the zombie apocalypse erupts. Jisoo shared, “Through this disaster, Young-joo realizes how deeply she loves Jae-yoon.” Watch their love story unfold as they battle zombies and fight to be reunited.
Enjoy action, romance, and comedy with weekly episodes from Friday, February 7 through March 21. Don’t miss Newtopia, only on Prime Video!
