The upcoming drama Newtopia, starring Park Jung Min and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, is making waves even before its release! The series has caught attention for featuring martial law and a passenger plane disaster—two major themes that eerily resemble real-life events, sparking intense discussions among viewers.

On February 3, the Newtopia team held a special press screening at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. Director Yoon Sung Hyun, along with the cast, shared their thoughts on the highly-anticipated series.

Based on the novel Influenza by Han Sang Woon, Newtopia follows Jae Yoon (played by Park Jung Min), a soldier trying to reunite with his girlfriend Yeong Ju (played by Jisoo) while navigating a zombie-infested Seoul.

The drama marks director Yoon Sung Hyun’s first-ever series, following his successful films Bleak Night and Time to Hunt. This also marks his third collaboration with Park Jung Min, while Jisoo’s role as the female lead has only fueled more excitement.

However, what’s really shocking fans is how Newtopia includes martial law and a plane disaster—themes that have significant real-life parallels in South Korea. The timing of these elements in the show has made viewers even more curious about the series.

Director Yoon Sung Hyun himself was surprised by the eerie similarities, saying, “I was shocked. We had already finished editing when those events happened. The expressions on the officers and soldiers in Newtopia reflected exactly how I felt when I saw the real-world situation. It’s a total coincidence. It was already in the script.”

As for the passenger plane disaster scene, he explained, “Just like the martial law scenes, this was planned from the beginning. It plays a major role in moving the story forward. I did have some concerns, but in the end, we chose to stick to the original script.”

Despite the intense themes, Yoon Sung Hyun reassured viewers that Newtopia isn’t just about heavy drama. “We wanted to bring a fresh take on the zombie genre. While there are serious moments, we also added humor to keep it engaging,” he shared. “Rather than big, obvious jokes, we went for subtle humor that will make viewers chuckle and stay entertained.”

When asked about a potential second season, the director showed strong interest, saying, “If given the opportunity, I would love to work on Newtopia Season 2. I already have some great ideas in mind.”

Fans won’t have to wait long to dive into the action! Episodes 1 and 2 of Newtopia will premiere exclusively on Coupang Play at 8 PM on February 7. Will this thrilling drama live up to the hype? Stay tuned!

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Actor Kwon Oh Joong is finally back in the spotlight — and the reason for his long break is touching hearts everywhere.

On April 21, Kwon Oh Joong showed up at the VIP premiere of the movie The Holy Night: Demon Hunters at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. This was his first official public event in 4 years, and fans were happy to see him again.

The actor kept things simple and classy. He wore a black knit top and pants, holding a beige trench coat casually in one hand. With a warm smile and calm energy, he greeted reporters and fans like a true professional.

Even after all these years, Kwon Oh Joong’s kind image hasn’t changed — but there was something deeper in his eyes.

His short hair and simple outfit seemed to show the quiet but strong life he’s been living while focusing on his family.

In a recent appearance on Channel A’s Close Friends Documentary – Four-Person Table, Kwon Oh Joong opened up about why he left the public eye.
“In 2020, my whole family got sick,” he said. “I felt like I had to save them. So I cut off contact with everyone and stayed by their side.”

What really touched viewers was his story about his son, who has a rare illness. Kwon Oh Joong said he visited hospitals all over the country, even trying methods that weren’t completely legal — just for a chance to help his son.

His son also struggled with getting into college. After many rejections, he was finally accepted into a Christian Studies program through a special admissions route for students with disabilities. Kwon Oh Joong gave credit to his wife, saying,
“It was all thanks to her strong will.”

Now, his son has graduated and is searching for a job. But more than that, he’s found joy in music, art — and even acting. Kwon Oh Joong shared,
“He’s recently become interested in acting, so we’re taking acting classes together.”

Their father-son bond and emotional journey have brought comfort and inspiration to many fans.

Meanwhile, the movie The Holy Night: Demon Hunters, which he attended, is an occult action film featuring stars like Ma Dong Seok, Seo Hyun, and Lee Da Wit. The film follows special warriors with unique powers who fight against evil.

Fans are excited to see Kwon Oh Joong back — and even more touched by the love he’s shown for his family.

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