Newtopia (2025)

Do You Like Zombie Shows?

Newtopia, offers a distinctly different charm from traditional zombie genres. In particular, its symmetrical mise-en-scène (visual composition) and stylish direction make it a visually striking production. In this post, we’ll take a light look at the show’s unique artistic direction together with the Newtopia production team!

Who Made Newtopia?
The show is directed by Kim Ji-hoon, known for his gripping disaster films like Sinkhole and The Tower. He’s especially skilled at creating tension through space and atmosphere, and that strength really shines in this work.

The screenplay was written by Kim Kyung-chan, a writer gaining attention for sharp dialogue and solid storytelling.

Newtopia is co-produced by Studio Dragon and Coupang Play Originals. The fact that Studio Dragon—renowned for elevating the quality of Korean dramas—is involved raises expectations significantly!

What Makes This Show Special?

The Beauty of Symmetry in Art Direction!
When watching Newtopia, you might often find yourself thinking, “Huh? Why does this scene look strangely beautiful?” That’s because of the use of symmetrical composition in its cinematography.

From the chaotic streets of Gangnam to the luxurious interiors of hotels and restaurants, many scenes are shot with a perfectly centered frame. This technique creates a sense of grandeur and eerie beauty at the same time. Rather than just showing a randomly destroyed city, the series delivers a balanced sense of horror—and that’s the key point.

Visuals That Change with the Characters’ Emotions
In the early episodes, the visuals maintain a stable symmetrical structure. But as the main characters fall into crisis and face emotional turmoil, the framing gradually becomes more disordered. This evolution of the visual style helps to amplify the psychological changes in the characters.

This isn’t just another “Zombies are here! Run!” kind of story.

Visually, it’s incredibly polished, and the military storyline blended with youth comedy makes it light and entertaining to watch.

If you’ve found the zombie genre to be a bit repetitive,
or if you’ve been looking for a show with artistic visuals and stylish direction,
then Newtopia is a strong recommendation!