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Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Why 'My Daughter is a Zombie' could be summer's pleasant surprise
A feel-good zombie comedy juggles horror, heart and humor with dexterity Korean cinema showed up fashionably late to the zombie party. But when it finally arrived with 2016's "Train to Busan," it more than proved it could hold its own. Now we're dealing with an even quirkier subspecies: The so-called zom-com, a hybrid genre as awkwardly constructed as its shambling subjects. From cult favorites like "Shaun of the Dead" to "Warm Bodies" and "Zombieland," this mash-up of horror and comedy has staked out real cinematic territory — one that turns blood-soaked chaos into unexpected belly laughs. Korea's earliest foray into this space might be 2019's "Zombie for Sale," which spun the undead into a get-rich-quick scheme gone predictably sideways. Enter "My Daughter is a Zombie," based on the popular webtoon of the same name. It takes the zom-com formula one step further by throwing earnest family melodrama into an already volatile mix. The story centers on Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-seok), a zookeeper and devoted single father raising his teenage daughter Soo-ah (Choi Yu-ri) through the familiar turbulence of adolescence. She's got the classic puberty playbook on display — rolling her eyes at her dad, brushing off his well-meaning questions, and delivering dry comebacks with teenaged flair. Their occasional moments of connection come through a shared love of dance. Jung-hwan, once an aspiring performer, now bonds with his daughter by helping her rehearse K-pop routines for her school talent show — including, rather quaintly, BoA's 2002 hit 'Number One.' But the everyday bickering comes to a halt when the zombie apocalypse strikes. The two watch in disbelief as their neighbors begin devouring each other in the street — mistaking the carnage at first for passionate lovemaking. The reality hits when a zombified neighbor crashes through their apartment window, and emergency broadcasts confirm their worst fears. Jung-hwan grabs Soo-ah and makes a run for his mother's home in the countryside, but the escape takes a devastating turn when Soo-ah is bitten during their frantic getaway. Despite its sunny title and cartoonish promotional materials, "My Daughter is a Zombie" doesn't shy away from legitimate horror tropes. Soo-ah's transformation sequence is surprisingly intense — bulging veins, clouded pupils, basically the full undead makeover. After a chaotic slapstick scuffle in the car that ends with Jung-hwan knocking his daughter unconscious, he straps her in and speeds toward his hometown, dodging military helicopters and roadblocks along the way. Once they arrive at grandmother Bam-soon's (Lee Jung-eun) house, Jung-hwan tries to keep the truth under wraps. But when Bam-soon discovers her granddaughter's condition, she's more irritated than alarmed. Wielding a wooden back scratcher like a weapon and armed with a sharp tongue, she instantly asserts dominance. The zombified Soo-ah, cowed by her grandmother's presence, behaves like a scolded puppy. Still, the question lingers: What now? After agonizing over whether to put his daughter down, Jung-hwan starts noticing glimmers of humanity in her behavior. Most strikingly, Soo-ah responds to familiar K-pop songs — reflexively moving through bits of choreography. Encouraged by a dubious YouTube clip suggesting that memory triggers can reverse zombie symptoms, Jung-hwan launches a desperate, increasingly bonkers rehabilitation mission: Retraining his daughter like one of the animals at his zoo. He's soon joined by childhood friend Dong-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho), a well-meaning but somewhat hapless pharmacist who offers comic relief and steady support. Things grow more complicated when Jung-hwan crosses paths with his childhood crush Yeon-hwa (Cho Yeo-jeong), now a middle school teacher. Yeon-hwa, still traumatized by her own zombie-related past, is now a militant anti-undead crusader determined to stamp out any infected survivors. As suspicions grow and the authorities close in, Jung-hwan is forced to go to greater lengths to shield Soo-ah — while confronting long-buried family rifts along the way. At its core, "My Daughter is a Zombie" traffics primarily in anodyne feel-good vibes, following a predictable emotional arc that trades logic for crowd-pleasing sentiment. It isn't chasing profound insights into humanity — and to its credit, it doesn't pretend otherwise. Its shortcomings are fairly easy to spot: The film occasionally loses momentum in meandering slice-of-life interludes that feel more like a webcomic vignette than a feature film. And for a film billing itself as a comedy, the humor can be hit-or-miss — the slapstick is plentiful, but not always sharp. Still, it would be a mistake to dismiss the film outright. Some movies manage to transform their clunkiness into charm, and "My Daughter is a Zombie" comes close to hitting that sweet spot. The key lies in its bold tonal shifts — gripping suspense undercut by slapstick gags, gut-punch drama interrupted by biting one-liners — which sound ridiculous on paper but click in practice. In an early escape sequence, Jung-hwan and Soo-ah avoid detection by mimicking zombie movements through dance — a stunt so over-the-top it becomes unexpectedly delightful. Elsewhere, a tense debate over whether to mercy-kill Soo-ah is derailed by a cultural in-joke about MBTI personality types. These sharp left turns, rather than feeling disjointed, become part of the film's distinct comic rhythm. And when the film drops the comedy to lean into sincerity — especially in its audacious finale — it does so with just enough conviction to land the emotional payoff. Much of this tonal balancing act works because of the cast. Jo Jung-seok, a reliable box office draw ("Pilot" drew 4.7 million viewers; "Exit" pulled in 9.4 million), is in his element here. As the awkward but fiercely loving father, he moves fluidly between goofball gags and gut-punch emotion, grounding the film even in its wildest moments. Lee Jung-eun is equally convincing as Bam-soon, delivering a mix of crusty wit and tough love that's both hilarious and oddly touching — much of it reportedly improvised. And 16-year-old Choi Yu-ri gives a breakthrough performance, managing to project both feral intensity and lingering innocence from beneath layers of prosthetic makeup. Her zombie Soo-ah is part monster, part misbehaving pet — and somehow, still heartbreakingly human. Will "My Daughter is a Zombie" defy expectations and become one of the summer's surprise hits? While it's far from a genre reinvention, it's hard not to root for it. At a time when high-budget blockbusters are tanking one after another, a modest film with genuine laughs and heartfelt moments might be exactly what audiences need. "My Daughter is a Zombie" hits theaters July 30.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
My Daughter is a Zombie: A Heartwarming Tale of Fatherhood Amidst a Zombie Outbreak
My Daughter is a Zombie, My daughter doesn't bite people What happens when your teenage daughter becomes a zombie during her birthday party? Most parents would probably run for the hills, but not Jung-hwan (played by Cho Jung-seok). This absolute legend of a dad decides to train his undead daughter like she's an adorable pet, and honestly, it's the most wholesome zombie content you'll see this year. The Plot That'll Make You Ugly Cry " My Daughter is a Zombie " (originally titled "좀비딸") isn't your typical brain-munching horror fest. This gem of a film follows Jung-hwan, a devoted single father who's basically the definition of a "girl dad." When a zombie outbreak hits their neighborhood during his daughter Su-ah's (Choi Yu-ri) birthday celebration, their escape plan goes sideways faster than you can say "apocalypse." The twist? Su-ah gets bitten and transforms into a zombie right there in their car. But instead of accepting defeat, this absolute unit of a father decides to secretly train his zombie daughter to act human again. We're talking about a guy who treats zombie training like it's teaching a puppy tricks - and it's simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luxury 2–4 BHKs in Pune's Iconic Green Township Shapoorji Golfland Vanaha Enquire Now Undo When Grandma's Discipline Meets Zombie Chaos The real MVP of this story is Grandma Bam-soon (Lee Jung-eun), who handles her zombie granddaughter with the kind of no-nonsense attitude that only Korean grandmothers possess. Armed with her trusty "hyoja-son" (a traditional Korean back-scratcher), she disciplines the little zombie with such authority that Su-ah literally cowers whenever she sees it. The dynamic between the overprotective dad, the strict grandma, and the zombie granddaughter creates comedy gold that'll have you rolling on the floor one minute and reaching for tissues the next. Star Power That Delivers Cho Jung-seok, who's basically Korea's answer to the perfect rom-com lead, brings his A-game to this unconventional father role. The man's previous summer hits "Exit" and "Pilot" both crossed significant milestones, and he's clearly gunning for a third consecutive summer blockbuster. Lee Jung-eun, who you might recognize from "Parasite," absolutely nails the grandmother role despite being significantly younger than her character in real life. Her comedic timing is chef's kiss perfect. The real surprise is young actress Choi Yu-ri, who seamlessly transitions between adorable daughter and genuinely creepy zombie. Her performance is so convincing that you'll forget she's acting. The Emotional Rollercoaster Don't let the comedy fool you - this film will wreck you emotionally. The movie masterfully balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine tear-jerking scenes. When Jung-hwan returns to their old house to collect Su-ah's clothes and breaks down remembering their normal life, even the toughest viewers will need tissues.
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lim Yoon-a leads genre-bending 'Pretty Crazy' from hitmaker behind 'Exit'
'Exit' stars Cho Jung-seok and Lim Yoon-a clash in a summer box office battle Never mind red flags — picture the girl next door turning into a demon at night. In "Pretty Crazy," Lim Yoon-a takes on a dual persona in this genre-blending summer entry from the team behind "Exit." "Pretty Crazy" centers on Gil-goo (Ahn Bo-hyun), who falls for Seon-ji (Lim Yoon-a), a new tenant living one floor below. But the budding romance takes a sharp turn when Gil-goo discovers that Seon-ji transforms into a demon each night. Her father soon ropes Gil-goo into the part-time job of protecting her after dark. Backing the film is Film R&K, known for producing consistent summer hits such as "Exit," "Escape from Mogadishu" and "Smugglers," as well as last year's "I, the Executioner." The film reunites Lim with director Lee Sang-geun, following their successful collaboration on "Exit," which drew more than 9.4 million moviegoers during its theatrical run. Lim, an actor as well as a member of K-pop group Girls' Generation, cited their past work together as a key reason she returned. 'I had so many good memories from working on 'Exit,'' Lim said during a press conference held Wednesday in Seoul's Yongsan-gu. 'I remember thinking how happy I'd be if I ever got to work with this team again, and then the director offered me such a lovable character that I gladly agreed to join the project.' Director Lee also reflected on what drove him to make "Pretty Crazy." 'When thinking about what to present as my second film, I felt that since my previous work had a large-scale setup, this time I wanted to create a project that dives deeper into characters and the human experience,' he said. Lim detailed the physical and stylistic changes she underwent to portray Seon-ji's split nature. 'I wanted there to be a clear visual distinction at a glance,' she said. 'Daytime Seon-ji has a pure, clean and girlish image, so I adjusted my hairstyle, wardrobe and even voice tone to reflect that.' She continued, 'For the demonic version of Seonji, I paid attention to every detail from head to toe. While the daytime version has straight hair, the demonic Seon-ji has a curly hairstyle with bold elements. I even got nail art and wore colored contact lenses to show a completely different look. I also tried to differentiate my voice tone, facial expressions and even the way I laughed.' "Pretty Crazy" opens in theaters Aug. 13, shortly following the release of "My Daughter is a Zombie," led by Cho Jung-seok, Lim's "Exit" co-star, now returning as her box office competition. 'I can't believe it's already been six years since 'Exit.' Back then, Cho and I were partners, so it feels meaningful to greet audiences this summer through different films, side by side,' Lim said. ''My Daughter is a Zombie' opens first, and I hope that crowds will continue to pack the theaters with 'Pretty Crazy' right after it.'
Korea Herald
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Summer's zombie fare banks on family feels
Director Pil Gam-seong and cast discuss family-friendly take on the undead at press event for "My Daughter is a Zombie" Summer movie season calls for crowd-pleasers, and 'My Daughter is a Zombie' pitches something unexpectedly offbeat — a zombie comedy that swaps gore for giggles, turning the undead apocalypse into a heartwarming family romp. On Monday, director Pil Gam-seong and cast introduced the film at a press conference at Seoul's CGV Yongsan, offering a first look at their family-friendly spin on the zombie genre. Based on a web comic that ran from 2018 to 2020, the film follows Jung-hwan (Cho Jung-seok), a zoo animal trainer whose teenage daughter Su-ah (Choi Yu-ri) becomes infected during a zombie outbreak. To avoid losing her to the authorities, Jung-hwan flees to his rural hometown, where his K-pop-loving mother Bam-soon (Lee Jung-eun) reigns as the village matriarch. With his longtime friend Dong-bae (Yoon Kyung-ho) in tow, Jung-hwan attempts the impossible: training his zombie daughter like one of his big cats. Things take a turn when his childhood crush Yeon-hwa (Cho Yeo-jeong) returns as the new schoolteacher, determined to take on the undead. The cast brings decades of shared history. Cho Jung-seok and Cho Yeo-jeong first met in 2005 performing in the musical "Grease," while Cho Jung-seok and Lee previously teamed up for the 2015 TV drama "Oh My Ghost." Lee and Cho Yeo-jeong, of course, appeared together in Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning "Parasite." For Cho Jung-seok, the film marks another bid to dominate the summer box office. His disaster comedy "Exit" drew 9.4 million admissions in 2019, while last year's "Pilot" — in which he played an out-of-work pilot who masquerades as a woman to get hired — pulled in 4.7 million viewers despite a sluggish post-COVID-19 pandemic theater market. "Opening in the summer again — honestly, I think I might have some kind of luck with this timing," Jo said. "I'm incredibly grateful. I hope this one goes well too." The trailer shown at the event revealed a film caught between horror and heart. Su-ah's zombie makeup is genuinely unsettling — sickly veins pulse beneath her skin, her pupils clouded and vacant. She moves like a feral animal, unable to understand human speech. Yet the characters treat this situation with surprising levity, drawing feel-good comedy from the otherwise grotesque premise. That mix of tones — equal parts macabre and endearing, comedy and genuine emotion — is central to the film's approach. 'We had to move seamlessly between comedy, pathos, and action, sometimes all in the same scene,' said director Pil. 'It was tricky, but I think we pulled it off.' Cho Jung-seok agreed: 'When I read the script, it was so funny and moving at the same time that I couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew I had to take it on.' Despite its lighthearted surface, the production took its craft seriously. The team enlisted zombie choreographers from "Kingdom" and "Peninsula" to create a movement style that conveyed a range of tones. 'We asked them to come up with something that felt scary but also lovable, almost like a pet,' said Pil. 'We even borrowed movements from real animals.' Sixteen-year-old Choi endured hours of special effects makeup each day on set, a transformation that even her co-stars found remarkable. 'I would fall asleep during the process, but when I looked in the mirror afterward, I barely recognized myself,' Choi said. 'It was honestly a shock.' That same attention to detail extended to the set design. The crew built a full-scale house on the coastal town of Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, transforming an empty bracken field into the family's storybook hideout. 'When we arrived, the house looked like something out of a fairy tale,' Yoon recalled. 'Just being there, you couldn't help but slip into character. The emotions came naturally.'
