A scene from Coupang Play's zombie drama "Newtopia" / Courtesy of Coupang Play

Once again, the world is overrun by zombies. A single moment of carelessness could mean being bitten, yet there is no real sense of fear. Instead, laughter sneaks in. That is the unique approach of "Newtopia," the latest drama on Coupang Play.

Since its premiere on Feb. 7, Newtopia has introduced a new variation of the K-zombie genre, which has surged in popularity following "Train to Busan" (2016). The series, based on Han Sang-woon's novel "Influenza," blends the zombie thriller with an unlikely genre — romantic comedy.

The story follows Jae-yoon (Park Jeong-min), a late-blooming soldier stationed on the rooftop of a high-rise hotel, dubbed the "building GOP (general outpost)." His girlfriend, Young-ju (BLACKPINK's Jisoo), is a newly hired corporate employee. After a petty argument, they decide to break up, but when the city is thrown into chaos by a zombie outbreak, they race to save each other.

For the first time in Korean zombie fiction, "Newtopia" embraces the "zom-com" genre — a term combining "rom-com" (romantic comedy) with "zombie." While the early setup resembles classic zombie narratives, its characters are unusually eccentric, and the zombies are far from terrifying. The series includes brutal and gory moments typical of the genre, but offbeat humor constantly undercuts the tension, delivering an unexpected mix of horror and comedy.

A scene from Coupang Play's zombie drama "Newtopia" / Courtesy of Coupang Play

"Newtopia" has divided audiences with that fusion of horror and comedy. Unlike traditional zombie thrillers, it lacks the usual elements of suspense, heroism, or grim survival. There are no selfless protagonists risking their lives to save others, nor is there a villain like Yong-suk (Kim Eui-sung) from "Train to Busan." The drama also avoids the usual emotional struggles of characters forced to kill infected loved ones. Major figures, such as Alex (Lee Hak-joo), who fights alongside Young-ju, meet abrupt and anticlimactic ends, subverting expectations.

Midway through the series, the pace slows as Jae-yoon and Young-ju's backstory takes center stage. However, momentum picks up again in Episodes 5 and 6. The setting of high-rise buildings and luxury hotels introduces fresh visual elements rarely seen in the genre. Meanwhile, the "half-zombie, half-human" characters create intriguing and absurd situations.

Although "Newtopia" contains intense body horror — earning it a restricted rating — it balances gore with humor, such as zombies adorned with hotel décor. While it may not boast the highest production quality, the series embraces its B-movie roots, delivering quirky, unpredictable fun.

A scene from Coupang Play's zombie drama "Newtopia" / Courtesy of Coupang Play

Newtopia has gained significant international traction. As of Monday, it ranked seventh among the most-streamed series on Amazon Prime Video worldwide. It is the first drama project for director Yoon Sung-hyun, known for "Bleak Night" (2010) and "Time to Hunt" (2020).

"In post-2000 zombie films, speed and terror dominate. But I thought a return to the slower, more humorous zombie style of the 1970s and 1980s could feel fresh and original," Yoon said.

Episode 7 of Newtopia will be released on Friday, with the finale set for March 21.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.