Seoul: "My Daughter is a Zombie" may look like a lighthearted comedy, thanks to its title and the cast ensemble led by comedic powerhouse Jo Jung-suk. But it is actually so much more. What unfolds is not a simple comedy, but a masterfully crafted story that seamlessly weaves together elements of drama, comedy, thriller, and classic zombie horror.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the film puts an interesting twist on the conventional zombie movie: Instead of a father protecting his daughter from zombies, the story features a man desperately trying to protect his daughter after she becomes one. Adapted from Lee Yoon-chang's hit Naver webtoon, the film centers on the father, Jung-hwan (Jo), a zookeeper who must apply his animal-taming expertise to her own daughter, Soo-ah (Choi Yu-ri).
After witnessing soldiers execute an infected person on sight, Jung-hwan realizes the terrible danger his daughter is in. He whisks her away to his mother's secluded seaside home to hide her from a world that hunts the infected. There, he begins a secret mission to "train" her to suppress her violent instincts, just as he would tame a wild animal. Unlike a typical zombie, Soo-ah is not a mindless monster and retains traces of her humanity. She responds, albeit slightly, to her favorite songs and food. She instinctively flinches when her grandmother, Bam-soon, portrayed by "Parasite" star Lee Jung-eun, swings her back scratcher at her.
Complicating matters is Yeon-hwa (Cho Yeo-jeong, also from "Parasite"), Jung-hwan's childhood sweetheart who is now a relentless zombie hunter with her own traumatic history. When she uncovers the truth about Soo-ah, Jung-hwan's carefully constructed world threatens to collapse. Powered by excellent performances, the father-daughter chemistry is the film's emotional core. Their bond feels touching, grounded in a shared history that makes their struggle deeply resonate.
Choi's nuanced portrayal of a half-human, half-zombie is a standout, making her feature debut all the more impressive. Equally compelling is Jo's performance, which offers the film's emotional anchor, balancing desperation with moments of brilliant comedy. Amid the flood of recent slick, stylish genre films dominating Korean cinema, the film stands out by deliberately embracing an old-fashioned charm. It wraps a much-needed, heartfelt message in a refreshingly entertaining package. The film evokes the nostalgic feeling of a summer vacation at a grandparent's countryside house -- swimming in a stream and eating steamed corn by a bonfire.
From director Pil Gam-seong, known for intense thrillers like "Hostage: Missing Celebrity" (2021) and "A Bloody Lucky Day" (2023), the film is a perfect escape for the scorching summer season, poised to satisfy any moviegoer looking for an unexpectedly heartfelt experience. "My Daughter is a Zombie" is set to premiere next Wednesday.