Jaehwa Bernardo

Jisoo in 'Newtopia.' Photo from Prime Video Philippines' X account

Article (news)

Why Blackpink’s Jisoo joined zombie series ‘Newtopia’

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736653018118JISOO.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jisoo in &#x27;Newtopia.&#x27; <em>Photos from Prime Video Philippines&#x27; X account</em></span></span></span>South Korea has become a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/10/17/8-korean-zombie-titles-to-get-your-blood-pumping-1747"><strong>hotspot for zombie-themed content</strong></a> in recent years, but it was the unique blend of romance and humor against the chaotic backdrop of a zombie apocalypse that convinced Jisoo of K-pop sensation Blackpink to take on a role in the series “Newtopia.”</div><p>“We have seen many zombie series and films over the years. I feel like many of them have been fairly dark and serious,” the singer-turned-actress shared in a filmed interview provided by Prime Video to ABS-CBN News. “But ‘Newtopia’ blends humor, romance and other genre elements in the context of a zombie apocalypse.”</p><p>“The series maintained these various elements while staying unpredictable. There were moments when I would go, ‘Whoa!’ or ‘What?’ out of shock. I felt that many viewers would find the series original and engaging. That&#x27;s why I chose this project,” she explained.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FwqXAxgTkA0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>“Newtopia,” which arrives on Prime Video on February 7, tells the story of two lovers navigating a zombie outbreak in Seoul as they strive to reunite after abruptly breaking up.</p><p>In the series, Jisoo, who previously starred in the hit 2021 romance drama “Snowdrop,” takes on the character of Young-joo, a young woman determined to reunite with her boyfriend Jae-yoon (Park Jeong-min), who is fulfilling his mandatory military service during the sudden outbreak.</p><p>For his part, Jeong-min offered a short answer when asked why he joined the series: “I only have one reason: Jisoo.”</p><p>This isn’t the first time the two actors have worked together, as both of them made cameo appearances in the 2023 film “Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman.” However, they both mentioned the opportunity to collaborate again as among the key reasons for joining “Newtopia.”</p><p>“I really wanted to watch him perform up close,” Jisoo said of Jeong-min, who has earned acclaim from prestigious South Korean award shows such as the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736653065039JEONGMIN.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Park Jeong-min</span></span></span>Jeong-min, known for series such as “Hellbound” and “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/2/watch-ryu-jun-yeol-others-stay-in-mysterious-place-in-the-8-show-1304"><strong>The 8 Show</strong></a>” as well as the crime film “Smugglers,” said he considered the comedic moments of “Newtopia” as one of its strengths.</div><p>“I love this series for not getting too serious when featuring zombies. Whenever situations or emotions start to feel heavy, different characters take turns breaking the grave mood,” he said.</p><p>“We have many moments when characters turn a situation into something funny, giving the audience a chance to laugh. I think one of the greatest strengths of the series is that viewers can have fun without having to feel weighed down,” he said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736653096021NEWTOPIA.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">In &#x27;Newtopia,&#x27; Park Jeong-min and Jisoo play a couple struggling to reunite in the middle of a zombie outbreak</span></span></span>Jisoo teased that viewers can also look forward to unique zombie designs. </div><p>“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,” she recalled.</p><p>“I haven’t had a chance to see how they translated onto the screen yet, so I’m very curious. I think it will be fun for viewers to compare how different ‘Newtopia’ is from other zombie series or films,” she said.</p><p>Jisoo also noted that the show sheds light on a significant aspect of South Korea’s mandatory military service: the strain it places on relationships.</p><p>“Men serving in the military and women waiting for their partners to complete their military service — it is part of Korean culture. ‘Newtopia’ blends these cultural elements with zombies, offering something different from other zombie series,” she said.</p><p>Watch the full interview below as Jisoo and Jeong-min delve into their characters and share their experiences working together on the show.</p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABS7UGa2QXD8sR5D&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>The unique blend of romance and humor against the chaotic backdrop of a zombie apocalypse convinced Jisoo of K-pop sensation Blackpink to take on a role in the series 'Newtopia.'</p>

The unique blend of romance and humor against the chaotic backdrop of a zombie apocalypse convinced Jisoo of K-pop sensation Blackpink to take on a role in the series 'Newtopia.'