‘Newtopia’ Sparks a Syndrome, Breaking Coupang Play’s All-Time Viewer Record

Released on February 7, Coupang Play’s “Newtopia” has captivated audiences with its immersive storytelling, maintaining its dominance on the charts.

The series follows soldier Jae-yoon (Park Jung-min) and his girlfriend Young-ju (Jisoo) as they struggle to reunite while navigating a zombie-infested Seoul.

The series has also gained international traction, ranking in the TOP 10 across 54 countries on Amazon Prime Video. Notably, the number of countries where it entered the TOP 10 has continued to rise, reflecting its growing global appeal.

Episode 3, released on February 14, marked the beginning of an intense battle against the zombies. The thrilling developments, combined with Jaeyoon and Youngju’s unwavering romance, heightened viewers’ engagement. As the characters strategized to survive the relentless zombie attacks, their individual strengths shone through.

Jae-yoon and his team managed to escape to a rooftop military base, while Young-ju and her group fought zombies in their own way. However, tension escalated when Chef Jung (Park Kwang-jae), who had been working at a hotel restaurant, suddenly turned into a zombie. A brutal fight ensued, involving scrapers, firearms, and jiu-jitsu techniques. One by one, characters succumbed to the infection, leaving viewers eager to see what happens next.

As the crisis deepened with food shortages, communication failures, and even heavily armed soldiers struggling to fend off the zombies, the suspense intensified. Young-ju and her group, who had thought a police station would be a safe haven, were soon ambushed by a zombie horde. Determined to reunite with Jae-yoon, Young-ju journeyed through the zombie-filled streets of Gangnam alongside Jinwook (Kang Young-seok) and Alex (Lee Hak-joo). Alex pledged to stick by her side as they fought for survival together.

Despite their separation, Jae-yoon and Young-ju finally exchanged text messages, leading to an emotional moment. When Young-ju texted, “I’m coming to the tower now,” Jae-yoon, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn’t hold back his tears.

In an LP bar, Young-ju stumbled upon a cassette tape of singer Yoon Jong-shin, triggering memories of her college days and deepening her sense of longing.

Even in a zombie-ravaged world, the two characters’ desperate struggle to reach each other struck an emotional chord with audiences.

Following Episode 3, domestic and international reactions soared. According to Xports News on February 21, “Newtopia” officially set a record as Coupang Play’s most-watched series. It also ranked in the TOP 10 across 54 countries, as tracked by OTT ranking site FlixPatrol.

Fans flooded social media with comments like:

• Waiting a whole week is torture!
• The characters are all so lovable.
• The military details are spot on.
• The LP bar scene hit me right in the feels.
• Please release all episodes at once!
• Coupang Play dramas have been killing it lately.
• The quality is next-level.
• This is binge-watch material.

Meanwhile, Coupang Play’s original series “Newtopia” releases new episodes every Friday at 8 PM (KST).