A 'summer family drama' filled with warm laughter and emotion has been born. The harmony of characters and actors that seems to faithfully translate the essence of the original webtoon, along with a narrative that deftly blends comedy and paternal love, is impressive.
'My Daughter is a Zombie' (director Phil Gamsung, distributed by NEW, produced by Studio N) is a comic drama about a dad, who is a doting father, entering secret training to protect his daughter, who has become the last zombie in this world. After debuting in 2021 with the intense reality action thriller 'Hostage', Phil Gamsung, who proved both the artistic and commercial value of the series based on the webtoon 'Bad Luck Day' subsequently, presents his new work, a return of the hit comedies that captivated the summer theater market, including 'Exit' (2019, 9.4 million) and 'Pilot' (2024, 4.7 million), and this is also a new comedy featuring Jo Jung-seok.
The process of adapting a webtoon or web novel into a film is always challenging, but 'My Daughter is a Zombie' overcomes that hurdle successfully. It boldly compresses the massive amount of material from the original, which spans seven volumes, while not omitting the flow of key characters and events, showcasing a level of completeness that satisfies original fans. In particular, the scenes depicting the outbreak of the zombie virus are portrayed seriously without glossing over them, maintaining the mise-en-scène characteristic of a 'zombie' genre.
What stands out the most is indeed the synchronization and performances of the actors. Jo Jung-seok plays the role of 'Jung-hwan', a dad struggling to protect his daughter who has become a zombie, shifting between comic acting and heavy emotional expressions seamlessly. He noted at an actual press conference that being a 'doting father' made his immersion so strong that it was hard to act, and his performance leaves an emotional resonance that transcends simple comedy. This is why, as the film progresses towards the latter half, tears come before laughter.
The grandmother 'Bamsoon', played by Lee Jung-eun, as well as the cat 'Aeyongi', showcase an impressive level of synchronization that makes them seem as though they jumped out of the original. In particular, Aeyongi demonstrates a strong presence in each scene, even performing pupil acting, and plays a role in turning serious situations into cute and warm atmospheres in an instant. This moment makes it clear why the director stated that the selection process was rigorously conducted through auditions.
The genre's advantages cannot be overlooked. Without forced situation setups or uncomfortable depictions, the film is filled with everyday humor that anyone can relate to, providing laughter optimized for family viewing. The unobtrusive comedy continuously brings smiles while not missing out on realistic emotional touches. The restrained paternal love, which does not veer into melodrama, actually deepens the emotions.
The messages conveyed by the film are also impressive. The narratives of those who accept a zombie family member evoke empathy that those with family members or pets who have disabilities or suffer from pain may feel. Beyond simple family love, the film extends to a social message of 'understanding and solidarity', adding depth to its aftertaste.
Opens on July 30, rated for those ages 12 and up, 114 minutes.
[Photo] Poster, film still
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