Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Newtopia, which combines zombie apocalypse thrills with heartfelt romance in a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat while tugging at your heartstrings.
Released on Prime Video on February 7, 2025, this unique series consists of 10 episodes that aired weekly until March 21, 2025, each running approximately 50 minutes. Directed by Yoon Sung-hyun (Time to Hunt, Bleak Night) and co-written by Han Jin-won (Parasite), starring Park Jeong-min and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, this zombie romantic fantasy series brings fresh energy to both the zombie and romance genres.
Set in Seoul during a sudden zombie outbreak, the story follows recently broken-up couple Jae-yoon and Young-joo as they fight through the undead-infested city to reunite. What sets this series apart is its perfect balance of high-stakes zombie action with genuine emotional depth, proving that love can survive even the most impossible circumstances.
The series masterfully uses the zombie apocalypse not just as a backdrop for action, but as a metaphor for the obstacles that can tear couples apart and the extraordinary lengths people will go to for love. It’s a story that asks whether true love can overcome not just personal differences, but literal life-and-death situations.
The story begins with Jae-yoon
The story begins with Jae-yoon, a soldier serving his mandatory military service, and his girlfriend Young-joo, an engineer, ending their relationship over the phone due to mounting misunderstandings and communication issues. Their breakup seems final until a zombie outbreak suddenly engulfs Seoul, turning the city into a dangerous wasteland filled with the undead.
Jae-yoon finds himself trapped with his military unit on top of a Seoul skyscraper as chaos erupts below. Meanwhile, Young-joo must navigate the zombie-filled streets of Seoul, using her engineering skills and determination to survive while desperately trying to reach the man she still loves. The series brilliantly interweaves their separate survival stories, building tension as both characters face impossible odds.
The narrative structure keeps viewers invested by alternating between heart-pounding zombie encounters and tender flashbacks that reveal the depth of their relationship and the reasons behind their breakup.
Jae-yoon’s Military Struggle: Park Jeong-min’s Powerful Performance
Park Jeong-min delivers an outstanding performance as Jae-yoon, a soldier who must balance his military duties with his desperate desire to reunite with Young-joo. His portrayal captures the complexity of a man torn between responsibility to his unit and his personal mission to protect the woman he loves.
What makes Jae-yoon particularly compelling is how his military training both helps and hinders him in this apocalyptic scenario. His combat skills are essential for survival, but his sense of duty often conflicts with his personal desires. Park Jeong-min’s nuanced acting shows a character who grows from someone who couldn’t properly communicate in a relationship to someone willing to risk everything for love.
Young-joo’s Determination: Jisoo’s Breakthrough Acting
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo proves her dramatic acting abilities with a powerful performance as Young-joo, an engineer who transforms from a heartbroken ex-girlfriend into a fierce survivor. Her character arc is particularly impressive as she uses her technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to navigate the dangerous cityscape while never losing sight of her goal to reach Jae-yoon.
Jisoo brings both vulnerability and strength to Young-joo, showing a woman who refuses to give up on love even when the world is literally ending around her. Her chemistry with Park Jeong-min is palpable, making their separated journey feel genuinely heartbreaking and their potential reunion all the more meaningful.
The Zombie Apocalypse: Action Meets Emotion
The series reaches its emotional and action-packed climax as both characters face their greatest challenges yet. The zombie encounters are expertly choreographed, creating genuine tension and fear while never overshadowing the emotional core of the story. The final episodes don’t just focus on survival, but on whether their love can truly overcome the trauma and separation they’ve endured.
What sets Newtopia apart from other zombie shows is how it uses the apocalyptic setting to strip away all the superficial problems that caused their breakup, leaving only the essential question: do they truly love each other enough to fight for their relationship?
Supporting Characters and Military Camaraderie
The supporting cast, including Kim Chan-hyung and Lee Hak-joo, brings depth to the military unit dynamics and provides crucial emotional support for both the main characters and the audience. Their interactions add layers of friendship and loyalty that enhance the overall narrative without detracting from the central romance.
Success on Prime Video
Newtopia has captured international attention, particularly for Jisoo’s impressive acting debut in a major dramatic role and the series’ fresh take on the zombie genre. The show has been praised for its high production values, compelling storyline, and the way it successfully balances romance with intense action sequences. Critics have noted the series’ ability to make viewers care deeply about the characters while delivering thrilling zombie encounters, proving that the romance and horror genres can complement each other beautifully.
If you love zombie thrillers with genuine heart and romantic dramas that aren’t afraid to raise the stakes, Newtopia is the perfect series to binge on Prime Video. This isn’t just another zombie show or typical romance; it’s a unique blend that proves love can survive anything, even the apocalypse.
A masterfully crafted series that elevates both the zombie and romance genres, proving that sometimes it takes the end of the world to show us what really matters in love.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 10
Platform: Prime Video
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Zombie Romance, Action Thriller, Romantic Fantasy
Main Characters: Park Jeong-min as Jae-yoon, Jisoo (BLACKPINK) as Young-joo Antagonist: Zombie outbreak and the circumstances that separate the couple