R-Rated Rom-Com with a Twist: Korean Drama Claims No. 1 Title on Opening Day

The much-anticipated Coupang Play drama Newtopia, starring Park Jung-min and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, officially premieres on February 7 and has already taken the OTT market by storm. According to the February Week 1 OTT Viewer Report by Consumer Insight, Newtopia ranked first in awareness and viewing intent, surpassing major releases like Netflix’s Melo Movie (starring Park Bo-young and Choi Woo-sik) and TVING’s The Scandal of Chunhwa (starring Go Ara, Chang Ryul and Kang Chan-hee).

Based on Han Sang-woon’s novel Influenza, the 8-episode series is directed by Yoon Sung-hyun (Time to Hunt) and written by Han Jin-won (The King’s Affection) and Ji Ho-jin. The drama combines multiple genres, blending zombie thriller, rom-com, military action, gore, and dystopian survival into one compelling narrative. Filmed over nine months, it is produced by Bound Entertainment and Billions Plus.

Newtopia follows Jae-yoon (Park Jung-min), a soldier on duty, and Young-joo (Jisoo), his girlfriend waiting for him. When a zombie outbreak overtakes Seoul, they must cross the dangerous city to reunite. The recently released character teaser showcases Jae-yoon’s desperate attempts to contact Young-joo amid the chaos and Young-joo wielding chainsaws and golf clubs to fend off zombies.

On Jae-yoon’s team are troublemaking subordinate Ra In-ho (Im Seong-jae) and hotel manager Aaron Park (Kim Joon-han), who provides valuable guidance thanks to his expert knowledge. Meanwhile, Young-joo’s team is equally diverse, featuring her senior Jin-wook (Kang Young-seok), whose personality shifts dramatically during the crisis, and celebrity CEO Alex (Lee Hak-joo), who becomes her reliable ally. They are later joined by an unpredictable student (Tang Joon-sang) who adds comedic flair.

Promotional posters, released on February 5, highlight the cast’s distinctive weapons and personalities. With a mix of intensity and humor, the visuals hint at the spectacle and unexpected chemistry awaiting viewers.

As a fresh take on zombie dramas, Newtopia has earned a restricted rating, promising high tension and gripping realism. Streaming exclusively on Coupang Play and Prime Video every Friday at 8 p.m., the series is expected to bring a new wave of excitement to the 2025 OTT landscape. With fans already raving online and the hashtag #Newtopia trending, the drama’s premiere is set to make a major impact.