“Newtopia,” the new zombie-themed K-drama on Coupang Play, has premiered to mixed reactions. While the premise of blending zombies with romantic comedy intrigued viewers, concerns about BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s acting and the show’s slow pacing have raised questions about its future.
Jisoo’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Jisoo, in her second lead role after “Snowdrop,” faced high expectations. However, her previous acting performance had drawn criticism for unclear pronunciation and awkward expressions. Director Yoon Sung-hyun addressed these concerns at the press preview, stating,
Since Jisoo hadn’t acted for a long time after her last project, I was also initially worried, thinking, ‘Will she be okay?’ But Jisoo dedicated herself, doing script readings four days a week. She worked hard, and as a result, I had no doubts or difficulties. By episode 8, you’ll feel that only Jisoo could have portrayed Young-joo. She did an amazing job.
Despite the director’s confidence, some viewers remain unconvinced. While Jisoo has shown improvement, her portrayal of Young-joo has been described as inconsistent, lacking the expected calmness. Her “girl crush” image, stemming from her “campus goddess” persona, does add an interesting layer to the character.
Pacing Problems and Annoying Characters
Beyond Jisoo’s performance, “Newtopia” struggles with pacing. Unlike other recent hits that grab viewers from the start, “Newtopia” dedicates too much of its first episode to Jae-yoon’s (Park Jung Min) military life and Young-joo’s personal struggles. This slow burn fails to deliver the promised humor and zombie action, leaving viewers disappointed.
Adding to the woes, some characters are perceived as annoying. These include Jae-yoon’s colleague, Line Ho (Im Seong Jae), and the “unlikable” senior character, Seojin-wook (Kang Young Seok). Even Park Jung-min’s performance hasn’t been enough to elevate the show, making the 57-minute episode feel unnecessarily long.
A Glimmer of Hope?
The second episode offers a ray of hope, finally plunging into the zombie chaos. However, the lingering impression of the first episode leaves the show’s fate uncertain. Will “Newtopia” find its footing and deliver the thrills viewers expect, or will it succumb to the challenges it faces?
The remaining six episodes of “Newtopia” will air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
