Jisoo of Blackpink continues solo career as main lead

Park Jeong-min in Park Jeong-min in “Newtopia” (Coupang Play)

Coupang Play’s original series “Newtopia,” starring K-pop sensation Blackpink’s Jisoo in her second lead role in a series, promises a reinvention of the zombie genre, according to the show’s director, Yoon Sung-hyeon.

“Newtopia” plunges into the journey of Jae-yoon (Park Jeong-min) and his girlfriend Young-joo (Kim Ji-soo), whose relationship teeters on the brink of collapse just as a zombie apocalypse engulfs Seoul. The plot unfurls as the estranged couple battles to reunite amid the chaos.

During a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday, Yoon shared his vision for creating a unique entry into an already-saturated landscape of zombie narratives.

“My top priority with this project was introducing a fresh perspective or a new feeling, even if just a little, and that was where I directed most of my attention,” Yoon said.

According to Yoon, zombie portrayals underwent a radical change in the 2000s, evolving into swift, nightmarish predators.

“In this context, I felt that it was a good time for a fresh take on zombies, drawing inspiration from the slower, more humorous, and somewhat cute representations of zombies from traditional media of the 1970s and 1980s,” he said. “Just as trends change, I believe that for today’s generation, this kind of content can feel quite new and unique.”

Musically, “Newtopia” also breaks new ground among zombie productions. The director said he made the choice to incorporate whimsical scores into the series after filming began.

“At first, I was planning to use electronic music as the main score. However, as we continued filming and moved into the editing process, it felt like music from animations would be more fitting,” Yoon said.

Collaborating closely with the music director, Yoon crafted a soundtrack imbued with a playful, cartoonish vibe. “This approach helped better support the liveliness and fresh elements of the work, enhancing its overall tone and feel,” he said.

Kim Ji-soo in Kim Ji-soo in “Newtopia” (Coupang Play)

For Kim Ji-soo of Blackpink,”Newtopia” represents not only a second chance to headline a series, but also a way of connecting to her Blackpink bandmates, who have gone their separate ways to start immensely successful solo careers.

“Since I’ve been on set continuously and working nonstop, when the members achieve success, people around me often congratulate me. Receiving these congratulations as if it were my own success made me realize how much of a familylike bond Blackpink bandmates share,” Kim reflected.

“This experience motivated me to put even more effort into filming, thinking about how happy the other members would feel hearing good things about me,” she added.

Despite the weight of public scrutiny on her burgeoning acting career, Kim said she is aiming to embrace the pressure.

“Of course, with the attention comes a certain amount of pressure, but I believe that pressure can serve as a driving force. On set, I didn’t hesitate to ask the actors whenever I had questions, and I received a lot of help while preparing diligently,” she said.

“Newtopia” premieres on Coupang Play on Feb. 7.