"Newtopia" kdrama – watching zombies causing chaos has never been this fun!

Did anyone say zombies? 🧟 I think this might just be my new favorite kdrama of 2025. The utter chaos and comedy, and we're just two episodes in? *chef's kiss*

I'm writing this a few minutes after I devoured the second episode of the new kdrama, "Newtopia." Sometimes I start a kdrama, half-blind about the plot. This is one of those times. I thought, "Zombies? Cool!” (Side note: I really liked “Rampant”, a Korean movie that’s all about zombies, too.) And then I read somewhere that the main characters are a couple, where the male lead is stuck in mandatory army training. Okay, so there’s romance in it, too. Interesting. Zombie + romance? Let’s see how this one goes!

“Newtopia” things #1 – a romance that seems to go downhill + the beginning of a zombie uproar

Lee Jae Yun has been enlisted in the military, leaving behind his girlfriend, Kang Yeong Ju. The first episode is all about introducing the characters and making us see the main plot line. Not gonna lie: It felt slow for me, but it was still interesting enough that I continued to watch it. And you know what? I’m glad I stuck around because by the end of the pilot episode of this kdrama, I am sold. I needed to watch the next episode right away!

It’s made clear that Jae Yun is clearly not for military life. It’s made even clearer that not all of his 동기 (donggi – which loosely refers to fellow trainees) are cut out for it as well. Exhibit A: Ra In Ho, a fellow trainee who seems to be there forever. In this episode, we get to see Jae Yun and the others in the training center. We get the idea of who they are and what their dynamics are.

Then we have Yeong Ju, who is going through her usual life as another cog in the corporate machine. She works, goes to after-work team dinners, and then comes home drunk one time. This makes her miss Jae Yun’s call and when she finally answers a couple of hours later, the two get into an argument (comically so; I’m pleased to report that this kdrama has 0% drama at this point). Their relationship begins to crack and they both notice it.

Now we know the main characters and the supporting cast. We know the conflict of our main characters. So where are the zombies??!? They’re there… somewhere. We get a hint of what’s coming when Jae Yun glimpses people running around below him as he stands on a hotel’s upper floor. He’s puzzled and curious about this, but In Ho waves it off and he follows suit. After all, his head is crammed full of Yeong Ju, who seems to be drifting from him.

“Newtopia” things #2 – a body slams through the windshield, an airplane crashes, and the hotel is in chaos

The second episode is where all hell breaks loose and every scene is exciting. Inside the hotel, trying to complete their task, Jae Yun and In Ho witness a plane crashing right before their very eyes. The hotel staff and everyone in the huge hall are in disbelief, excitement, and terror. They all wonder what had just happened. (Little did they know that the plane crashing is just the tip of the iceberg.)

Somewhere down the streets, Yeong Ju is in the car with her 선배 (seonbae – a senior at work), Jin Wook. They’re on their way to the barracks. It seems like just any other day when BAM! A bloody body of a man suddenly comes flying into the car’s windshield, with a piece of eyeball slapping itself nicely on Yeong Ju’s neck. Confusion and commotion start to unfold.

Soon enough, we get to see the not-so-grand entrance of the zombies in “Newtopia.” They were long in coming, that’s for sure. They do say good things take time, and I’d like to think it applies here.

“Newtopia” things #3 – as above, so below

Are you folks just as anxious and excited about the zombies? You can now yell out your feelings now because ta-daaaa! The zombies, after a slow first episode and a creeping introduction in the hotel and in the streets, are finally here. They are finally here and it is utter chaos.

Above ground, a couple of feet away from the streets where Yeong Ju is, Jae Yun and In Ho, along with two hotel employees, are stunned and frightened and panicked because ZOMBIES. Oh, my God. So many zombies in so little time. What are two struggling trainees to do? They have no choice but to fight for survival, and they do so hilariously but also victoriously.

What about Yeong Ju down the streets below? There are also zombies. TONS of them and she is running, running for her life. Jin Wook is pretty much useless at this point. A random stranger, who turns out to be a well-known CEO, helps her out but the zombies are just too tricky to deal with and they lose each other. She eventually finds a safe hideout (for now), thanks to a salon lady in Gangnam.

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I’ve been watching just two kdramas, “Unmasked” and “When the Stars Gossip.” I was itching to add more to my list and I’m so glad I tried “Newtopia”! It’s a fun zombie rom-com thriller, for sure. There’s romance established in the first episode, but don’t hope for a deep and/or serious angle at Yeong Ju and Jae Yun’s relationship, though. Unless they decide to explore it more in the coming episodes.

It looks more like a comedy thriller and that’s actually fine, because “Newtopia” is so fun to watch. There’s no born-and-bred rich male lead and the female lead might as well be every other girl – well, except for the running-away-from-the-zombies thing. 😁

Overall, I really enjoyed this kdrama. It’s funny and light-hearted, with a great dose of thrilling scenes. What kdrama/s are you currently watching? I’m looking forward to “Friendly Rivalry” and “The Scandal of Chunhwa” when they release them this week. 😄 What about you?

I hope you’re enjoying your kdramas, folks! 🙂 And more so, that you’re having a lovely February. ✨ 🫶🏼