[Big Picture] 'My Daughter Is a Zombie': Movie that Does Not Go All-In on Laughs, but Still Moves You in the End

Is this enough? Just like the previously released 'Omniscient Reader', the question arises for 'My Daughter Is a Zombie', the second Korean film to hit the summer blockbuster market.

Just like Hollywood, the trend of original scripts fading away is evident in Korean cinema. 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' is also a film based on a popular webtoon 'My Daughter Has Turned Into a Zombie'.

The movie kicks off in the small seaside village of Eunbong-ri. Jeong-hwan (played by Cho Jung-seok), a specialist in handling dangerous animals at a zoo, retreats to the countryside where his mother, Bam-soon (played by Lee Jung-eun), lives. He had decided to move there to protect his daughter, Su-ah (played by Choi Yu-ri), who has been infected with an unexplained zombie virus. This drastic measure is due to the government's extreme decision to eliminate the infected.

Unable to give up on his daughter, Jeong-hwan starts training Su-ah for socialization, using his experience in taming wild animals. The project to protect his daughter faces a crisis when his old hometown friends, Dong-bae (played by Yoon Kyung-ho) and Yeon-hwa (played by Cho Yeo-jeong), discover their secret.

As the logline 'A father protecting his daughter infected with the zombie virus' suggests, 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' primarily explores family drama. The addition of Cho Jung-seok to the cast has been a significant asset. His performance, which contributed to the success of last summer's hit 'Pilot' with 4.7 million viewers, and his reputation as one of the best comedy actors in the industry, are definite strengths of 'My Daughter Is a Zombie'.

Cho Jung-seok showcases exceptional comedic talent without falling into the trap of trying too hard to be funny, maintaining the right tone and manner for the drama and scenes. His chemistry with Lee Jung-eun, Choi Yu-ri, and even a non-speaking cat character, 'Aeyong', is effortlessly brilliant.

Another identity of 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' is its zombie genre. The unexplained zombie virus has thrown South Korea into chaos. The government's clumsy response to the virus and the public's fear leading to unintended infections reflect a reality that has become all too familiar in the post-COVID-19 era.

However, as a zom-com (zombie comedy), 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' portrays the spread of the virus and its infected in a light-hearted manner. This allows the audience to engage with the story from the beginning and laugh at the various episodes caused by the virus.

'My Daughter Is a Zombie' attempts to blend zombie horror, comedy, and family drama in equal parts. It strives not to let any element overpower the others, which sometimes makes the film's direction feel ambiguous.

The late revelations — such as a secret birth and intense paternal love — risk feeling overly sentimental or melodramatic. Whether the audience will respond well to the film's mix of less comedy than expected and stronger melodrama than anticipated will determine its box office success.

If 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' aims to 'moderately amuse and then moderately move' its audience, it's quite successful. The zombie antics provide gentle laughter, and the father's devotion and love for his daughter are genuinely touching. However, the moderation in all aspects means the film may not pack the punch some might hope for.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)