4 Years After “Snowdrop” Acting Ability Controversy, Will “Newtopia” Be Different For BLACKPINK’s Jisoo?
On the afternoon of February 3, a press screening and conference for Coupang Play’s new series “Newtopia” was held at Megabox COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Director Yoon Sung-hyun attended the event and shared insights with the media.
“Newtopia” tells the story of soldier Jae-yoon (played by Park Jeong-min) and his girlfriend Young-ju (played by Jisoo) as they fight their way through a zombie-infested Seoul to reunite.
This project has garnered immense attention as it marks the second leading role for the globally renowned idol Jisoo. She made her acting debut in 2021 with the drama “Snowdrop”.
In “Newtopia”, Jisoo plays Kang Young-ju, a new employee and former “goddess of engineering school” who is also Jae-yoon’s devoted girlfriend.
During the press conference, director Yoon explained his decision to cast Jisoo, “I consider myself lucky to have worked with Jisoo. You might not fully grasp it in the first two episodes, but by episode 8, you’ll see that no one but Jisoo could have played Young-ju. She portrayed the role exceptionally well.” He emphasized that Young-ju’s humor is a core part, adding, “It’s not about ‘trying to be funny’—the humor had to come naturally from the character. And Jisoo is naturally very humorous.”
He further expressed his gratitude, “Throughout the production, I kept thinking, ‘It’s such a relief that we’re working together.’ I was incredibly fortunate, and she helped me a lot on a personal level as well.”
However, Jisoo previously faced acting criticism when “Snowdrop” aired. Aware of these concerns, director Yoon acknowledged them head-on. He reassured, “Since ‘Snowdrop’, Jisoo hasn’t been active in acting for a long time. At first, I did wonder, ‘Will she be okay?’ But she devoted herself to script readings four days a week, putting in relentless effort. Seeing her dedication, I had no doubts or concerns.”
Director Yoon also praised Jisoo’s attitude on set, “Even during filming, she was always smiling. This was an incredibly demanding shoot with intense scenes. Many of the action sequences were particularly tough for a female lead, but she tackled them effortlessly, always maintaining a positive attitude. I’m truly grateful.”
Hinting at Jisoo’s character evolution, he said, “Young-ju undergoes a dramatic transformation, pushing beyond imaginable limits. There are many pivotal scenes, one of which involves her wielding a chainsaw and fighting zombies. These moments are fresh and excitingly portrayed.”
The first two episodes of “Newtopia” will air exclusively on Coupang Play at 8 PM on February 7.
