BLACKPINK Jisoo has caught the Kdrama community off guard with the instant domination of her new Korean drama, “Newtopia.” But as the series has immediately broken records on the first day of broadcast, do you think “Newtopia”really does live up to the hype? Will this series completely dominate the Kdrama industry or become a temporary viral trend? Join us in a complete discussion on the new Coupang Play drama starring BLACKPINK Jisoo and Park Jung Min below.
BLACKPINK Jisoo New Drama, “Newtopia”: A Record-Breaking Premiere
The new groundbreaking zom-com Korean drama by Coupang Play, “Newtopia,” has surprised the Kdrama community with an impressive record-breaking premiere.
On its February 7 release date, “Newtopia” has already set a new record for the most-watched first-day premiere on Coupang Play. The show shattered records by achieving the highest number of first-day viewers among all Coupang Play series.
In addition to this fantastic debut, “Newtopia” has now become the hottest Kdrama in the market. That’s because even before the show’s release, a report by by Consumer Insight on February 6 revealed that “Newtopia” had ranked #1 in both recognition and anticipated viewership.
This achievement was so massive that it has even surpassed its two rival dramas that were even more highly-anticipated, Netflix’s “Melo Movie” and TVING’s “The Scandal of Chunhwa.”
“Newtopia” New Korean Drama: One-of-a-Kind Zom-Com Genre Blend
Based on a Korean novel, “Influenza,” by author Han Sang Woon, “Newtopia” tells the story of Jae Yun (Park Jung Min), a soldier struggling through his military service, and his girlfriend Yeong Ju (Jisoo), who is waiting for him back home. Just when their long-distance relationship starts falling apart, a zombie apocalypse breaks out in Seoul. Now, they must fight their way through the city to find each other again.
Immediately after its 2-episode release, BLACKPINK Jisoo “Newtopia” new drama becomes an instant favorite! That’s because this is the first time the Korean drama community has witnessed a unique fusion of zombie horror and romantic comedy.
Hence, fans are claiming a new genre for Jisoo’s new Korean drama: a zombie comedy, “zom-com.” Not only that, but the series also blends military action, thriller vibes, disaster survival, dystopian drama, and even some gore!
And so, fans believe that “Newtopia” is far more than just zombies and romance. If you love intense survival stories, this R-rated new series will give you high-intensity thrills and next-level suspense. Suffice it to say, “Newtopia” is really a one-of-a-kind K-zombie series!
More Acting Controversy Against Jisoo in New Drama – Has She Improved?
As “Newtopia” is gaining more recognition, its main actress, BLACKPINK Jisoo, once again becomes the center of the public’s attention. As a global star and prominent fashion icon, her influence alone was enough to make the drama one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
But as an actress, BLACKPINK Jisoo continues to spark debate among viewers.
Since her first acting debut in “Snowdrop,” Jisoo has constantly faced criticism for her unclear pronunciation, stiff expressions, and lack of emotional depth. Naturally, many fans were curious—and a bit worried—about her performance in “Newtopia.”
Then, when “Newtopia” released its first trailer, some fans once again criticized her acting as completely underwhelming. They believed Jisoo didn’t have adequate proficiency in delivering even the basics of acting just yet. And they were wondering why Jisoo was allowed to take the main role without proper training in acting.
Not only that, but “Newtopia” director Yoon Sung Hyun also fueled this acting controversy by stating his initial doubt. However, he then emphasized that nobody can play Yeong Ju better than Jisoo.
“At first, I wondered if she would be okay since she hadn’t acted in a while. However, she practiced script readings four days a week and showed incredible dedication.
No one else could have played Yeong Ju like Jisoo.”
Yoon Sung Hyun, “Newtopia” director.
So far, the public’s reactions to Jisoo’s acting skills are still divided. Some viewers praise her girl-crush energy as the bold and fearless Yeong Ju. They believe that Jisoo is just perfect for the role. However, some others still feel that her delivery lacks confidence, especially in emotional or intense scenes.
While it is completely undebatable that Jisoo’s acting has incredibly improved since “Snowdrop,” critics argue that she still struggles to bring full depth to her character.
“Newtopia” Instant Hit: Partly Thanks to Jisoo’s Global Star Power
Ultimately, we can safely say that BLACKPINK Jisoo still has a long way to go in terms of acting. And that is perfectly normal!
After all, the same thing actually happened for almost all Kpop idols who made transitions into acting. Your favorite idols, Yoona, Bae Suzy, Park Hyung Sik, and even Cha Eun Woo were also criticized a lot when they first debuted as actors. But as you see, they have now proved to be the most successful idol actors in the Korean entertainment industry!
Therefore, while BLACKPINK Jisoo may have shown flawed acting in “Newtopia” new drama, the main point is that she has made a lot of improvement since her “Snowdrop” era. And this is the road that all successful idol actors must take.
And finally, the immediate success of Coupang Play’s new Korean drama, “Newtopia,” is also partly thanks to BLACKPINK Jisoo. Her global star power is truly undeniable.
All this time, we all know BLACKPINK Jisoo has the ultimate power to generate global buzz for everything she does. That is why even before the drama aired, “Newtopia” successfully topped the charts for the most anticipated OTT series. Within hours of its premiere, the show then trended worldwide, with fans praising Jisoo’s performance and showering her with support.
Her massive fandom has played a crucial role in the show’s record-breaking success. Social media is flooded with clips of “Chainsaw-wielding Jisoo,” and discussions about her character’s development are keeping “Newtopia” in the spotlight.
So, whether her acting is flawless or not, Jisoo’s presence alone is enough to make any project a global phenomenon.
“Newtopia” Groundbreaking Breakthrough: Is Worth the Hype?
Finally, what do you think about all this massive buzz on BLACKPINK Jisoo new Korean drama, “Newtopia”?
Do you personally believe that the series is actually worth the hype? Or is it just a tempory viral trend that will fade away as the story continues?
Please share your thoughts in the comments!
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