BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Opens Up About Pressure: Why Her Zombie Drama Is Already Facing Mixed Reactions

The first teaser for Coupang Play’s series 'Newtopia' has been unveiled, and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, who stars as the female lead, is already facing criticism regarding her acting. 'Newtopia', which blends zombie apocalypse and romantic comedy into a new genre dubbed “zom-com,” tells the story of soldier Jae-yoon (played by Park Jung-min) and his long-distance girlfriend Young-joo (played by Jisoo) as they navigate a zombie-infested Seoul to reunite.

Jisoo plays Kang Young-joo, a rookie office worker who has been in her job for just one month and is also a "gomshin" (a girlfriend waiting for her boyfriend in the military). She pairs with Park Jung-min, a renowned actor, for a romantic-comedy dynamic.

This marks Jisoo’s return to acting after three years, following her lead role in JTBC’s 'Snowdrop'. At the time, her acting debut sparked criticism for being unpolished, despite taking on a major role.

At the 'Newtopia' press conference held on January 7, Jisoo addressed the scrutiny, saying, “I feel the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight, but I think it can be a great motivator. On set, I didn’t hesitate to ask the director and my co-stars for help, and I prepared diligently. I hope people will take an interest in the series and evaluate it fairly.”

However, even before the series premieres, her acting in the teaser has stirred controversy. Critics have voiced concerns over her brief appearance, leading to a wave of negative reactions online.

Some netizens commented, “She has the perfect look for an actress, but her voice doesn’t suit acting,” “An actor’s voice is half the battle, and that’s something you can’t change,” and “Her acting seems even weaker alongside a talent like Park Jung-min.”

On the other hand, many expressed excitement for the show. Positive comments included, “It’s funnier than I expected; I’m looking forward to it,” “The teaser alone has me hyped,” and “How am I supposed to wait until February 7? Rooting for Jisoo!”

Coupang Play’s new series Newtopia is set to premiere on February 7 at 8 p.m. KST.