Are you a fan of zombie movies? Well, this upcoming comedy-drama may be your next favorite.
Starring Jo Jung-suk and Choi Yoo-ri, My Daughter is a Zombie is a family-centered film about a single father and his zombie daughter. It’s set to hit Korean theaters on July 30, promising a unique approach to the genre we all know and love.
Based on the 2018 webtoon by Lee Yun-chang, we officially have another adaptation on our radar. This film will be the second one for the series, with the first being a 26-episode animation produced by EBS and DURUFIX in 2022. Since the film trailer’s release, old readers and viewers have expressed excitement about seeing their favorite characters in a live-action film. Even those new to the series are offering their support, as shown in the increased views on the original.
This highly anticipated project is directed by Pil Gam-seong, known best for Hostage: Missing Celebrity and A Bloody Lucky Day. Studio N, the team behind other successful webtoon adaptations, also led the film’s production, while Next Entertainment World took charge of the distribution.
What to Expect in My Daughter is a Zombie
My Daughter is a Zombie follows Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), a devoted father with only one goal: to protect his sole daughter, Soo-ah (Choi Yoo-ri). When a zombie outbreak spreads throughout the entire world, Jung-hwan’s worst nightmare happens — his daughter gets bitten and turned into a zombie. And what does a parent do in this unthinkable scenario? He drives them to the rural countryside and trains her to become “human” again.
Although the film is tagged as a comedy, it also warns its viewers to prepare for tears. In the main trailer, we’re immediately thrown for a loop. From seeing our father-daughter duo amidst a zombie attack, it transitions to more humorous scenes of Jung-hwan and the other cast members training Soo-ah. They even show a possible conflict between another character, who seems to harbor ill feelings for zombies. However, the real emotional kicker is at the end, as a human Soo-ah, asks her dad to wait for her with a smile on her face. Despite the lump in his throat, he answers with conviction, “Of course. I’ll wait. I can wait for you.”
The Cast and Characters of My Daughter is a Zombie
From the premise alone, My Daughter is a Zombie is already setting itself up to be one of the most interesting films this summer. However, the anticipation doesn’t end there, as an impressive array of talents, including Jo Jung-suk, Choi Yoo-ri, and Yoon Kyung-ho, bring this world to life. Powerhouse actresses Lee Jung-eun and Cho Yeo-jeong are also set to reunite for the first time since their roles in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite.
With such a strong cast, we’re eager to discover what else makes this zombie film stand out from the rest.
Jo Jung-suk as Jung-hwan
Jo Jung-suk steps into the shoes of Jung-hwan, a doting father who would do anything for his daughter. He’s approachable and witty, but knows when to be serious, especially if it concerns Soo-ah. When he finds out she got bitten, he immediately drives them over to his mother’s house to hide her from further harm.
Despite his only child’s tragic fate, Jung-hwan doesn’t dare think of abandoning her. Instead, he vows to protect and help Soo-ah act as “human” as possible. With his skills from being an ex-zookeeper, he patiently trains his daughter with diverse exercises and unbridled determination.
Choi Yoo-ri as Soo-ah
Played by former child actress Choi Yoo-ri, Soo-ah is Jung-hwan’s one-and-only daughter. Like most teenagers, she’s sassy and doesn’t like showing affection. Nevertheless, she loves her dad more than anything and often bonds with him through dancing.
Following the news of the outbreak, she hurriedly tries to escape with her father, but unfortunately fails to avoid one of the zombies. After becoming infected, Soo-ah exhibits common zombie tendencies like growling and animalistic movements. However, she still has traces of humanity and innocence in her, which her dad notices. Thus, his secret mission to train her begins.
Lee Jung-eun as Bam-soon
Bam-soon—Jung-hwan’s mother, played by the versatile Lee Jun-eun, is just as fiesty as her beloved granddaughter. Along with their family cat Ae-yong, she lives in Eunbong Village, which later becomes Jung-hwan and Soo-ah’s hideout. She’s the first person her son asks for help after Soo-ah turns into a zombie; instead of fearing for her life, she instantly gears up to put her in her place.
Like most grandmothers, Bam-soon isn’t afraid to discipline her granddaughter when the situation demands it. However, despite her sharp tongue, she’s a lovable lady with a soft spot for her family. Armed with her trusty backscratcher, she becomes part of the “Soo-ah Protection Squad” and helps Jung-hwan with his secret mission without question.
Cho Yeo-jeong as Yeon-hwa
Cho Yeo-jeong returns to the big screens as Yeon-hwa, Jung-hwan’s first love, who has a dangerous profession. She’s a charming teacher by day, but turns into one of the most fearsome zombie hunters by night. Due to a past trauma, she’s extremely hostile when it comes to zombies and doesn’t hesitate to exterminate them on sight.
Despite her friendly and harmless appearance on the outside, her job naturally makes her quick-witted and clever. When she reunites with Jung-hwan, he slowly realizes the dangers he’s protecting his daughter from are closer than he thinks.
Yoon Kyung-ho as Dong-bae
Rounding out the main cast is Yoon Kyung-ho as Dong-bae, Jung-hwan’s closest friend and resident pharmacist in their hometown. He may look scary at first glance, but he’s a sincere and loyal friend with a good heart.
When he finds out about Soo-ah’s situation, he ultimately decides to help train her despite his initial hesitance. Although he’s still visibly scared of being bitten, Dong-bae quickly becomes a trustworthy supporter of their family.
When and Where to Watch
Whether you’ve read the webtoon or not, My Daughter is a Zombie is a series you shouldn’t miss out on. And if there’s one thing we got from the movie trailer, it’s that we should probably prepare tissues before watching it. So, be warned!
My Daughter is a Zombie is coming to Korean theaters this July 30 through Next Entertainment World. At the moment, information regarding a North American release has not been revealed. But while we wait for the announcement, you can read the official English translation of the original exclusively on Webtoon!
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Featured Image Credit: Next Entertainment World
