BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is facing scrutiny over her acting abilities even before her new drama Newtopia premieres on February 7th. The controversy ignited after the release of the show’s trailer on Coupang Play’s YouTube channel.
An online community post gaining traction criticized the K-pop star’s performance, stating, “I was shocked at how bad the acting was when I saw her scenes with Park Jung Min,” adding, “I never imagined the acting would be this stiff.”
Newtopia follows soldier Jae Yoon (Park Jung Min) and his girlfriend Young Joo (Jisoo) as they navigate zombie-infested Seoul streets to reach each other. In the teaser, Jisoo is seen screaming at zombie hordes and delivering lines like “Move, I need to go!” with what people describe as a nasal tone. Comments on the video expressed concerns about her delivery and pronunciation, with viewers noting, “Her voice keeps breaking my concentration.”
>> Jisoo Charts New Path in Post-BLACKPINK Era with Zombie Rom-Com ‘Newtopia’
This isn’t Jisoo’s first brush with acting criticism. Her previous drama Snowdrop, co-starring Jung Hae In, not only weathered historical controversy of its inaccuracy but also faced criticism over her acting abilities. Despite being a weekend drama, it recorded a disappointing 2% viewership rating.
Others left comments like, “She should release albums like ‘Flower’ instead and focus on acting” and “Her voice tone really isn’t suited for acting.”
The discussion has also pulled fellow idol-turned-actor Cha Eun Woo into the conversation. Critics drew parallels, with one commenting, “Isn’t this just like Cha Eun Woo’s case? That’s just how the entertainment industry works—if you’re beautiful enough, skill doesn’t matter.” ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo has faced similar scrutiny despite landing major roles based on his striking looks.
Cha Eun Woo’s acting journey has been marked by criticism in projects like MBC’s Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung for his stilted delivery. His performances in JTBC’s Gangnam Beauty and MBC’s A Good Day to Be a Dog received mixed reviews for his consistent tone and rigid expressions. However, he’s recently earned praise for his villainous turn in MBC’s 2024 drama Wonderful World, starring alongside Kim Nam Joo.
Despite the criticism, some fans remain optimistic about Newtopia, noting its pre-release status and apparent light-hearted zombie comedy approach. Supportive comments include “This looks cute and funny. Can’t wait!” and “You got this, Jisoo!”
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