MY DAUGHTER IS A ZOMBIE (좀비딸) (2025)

Genre: Comedy/Horror
Director: Pil Gam-sung
Cast: Cho Jung-seok, Lee Jung-eun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Yoon Kyung-ho, Choi Yu-riy
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Violence)
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website:

Opening Day: 28 August 2025

Synopsis: “Zombies are not your family!” To protect her daughter, Soo-ah, who has been infected by a zombie virus that has spread across the world, Jung-hwan heads to Eunbong-ri, a quiet seaside village where his mother, Bam- soon, lives. As society hunts down the infected, the family secretly lives together, hiding their unusual family bond. Refusing to give up on his daughter, Jung-hwan draws on his experience as a wild animal trainer and embarks on a life-or-death mission – taming a zombie.

Movie Review:

One look at the poster and you can tell this Korean film isn’t cut from the same cloth as other zombie hits like Train to Busan or Kingdom. Instead of dark, gritty tones, the splash of bright colours and the goofy expressions on the characters give away its true nature—a comedy. And it delivers just that.

The “most intense” scene plays out like a domestic squabble, but is in fact an infected wife attacking her hapless husband. Even the sight of hordes of zombies flooding the streets leans more slapstick than scary. And without giving too much away, you may find yourself chuckling at the idea that being bitten by a grandma zombie isn’t necessarily the end of the world.

Adapted from Yun-chang Lee’s webtoon of the same name, this comedy directed by Pil Gam-sung leans into heartwarming humour. At its centre is Jung-hwan (Cho Jung-seok), a tiger trainer whose antics include a hilarious video of him teaching a tiger to dance. His life takes a chaotic turn when his daughter Soo-a (Choi Yu-ri) is bitten by a zombie. Determined to protect her, he brings her to his mother’s (Lee Jung-eun) rural home, where a string of comedic misadventures unfolds as the family scrambles to keep her dangerous secret under wraps. Rounding out the chaos are his loyal friend (Yoon Kyung-ho) and potential love interest (Cho Yeo-jeong), adding just enough spark for this 114-minute caper.

The film leans on familiar but effective plot devices to keep things engaging and entertaining. Moments like Jung-hwan’s mother disciplining Soo-a with nothing more than a stern glare are funny, while her tender attempts to jog the girl’s memory with favourite foods add a sweet touch. For broader laughs, the story stages extended sequences at an amusement park and a school—convenient setups that provide plenty of opportunities for humour.

At its core, the film is anchored by Jung-hwan’s unwavering love for his daughter. What lingers after the credits roll is the portrait of a father willing to risk everything to protect his little girl. The absence of Soo-a’s mother—explained through a mid-film twist—creates space for Jung-hwan to give his all as a parent. Touching moments, such as him documenting her progress in a scrapbook, build toward a dramatic finale that underscores the enduring power of a father’s love.

Maybe it’s just us, but we half-expected the film to end on a devastating note. Then again, it probably wouldn’t have become this year’s highest-grossing South Korean film if it hadn’t gone the crowd-pleasing route.

We last saw Cho in Kim Han-Kyul’s Pilot (2024), where he made us laugh as a man forced into cross-dressing. This time, the 44-year-old actor delivers an even more layered performance, navigating a role filled with emotional twists and turns. Cho proves he is far more than just a charming face—his portrayal of a father who pours every ounce of himself into protecting his daughter is deeply moving, a performance that will resonate with fathers and daughters alike, capturing the fierce love and tender bonds they share. 

Movie Rating:

(Cho Jung-seok delivers a moving performance that grounds this heartwarming comedy, turning familiar laughs into something genuinely touching)

Review by John Li