‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’ director gives undead tale a warm, fantastical twist
Director Pil Gam-seong / Courtesy of Pil Gam-seong
Pil Gam-seong reimagines zombie genre with heart, humor and human story
Director Pil Gam-seong’s affection for the original webtoon “My Daughter Is a Zombie” drives the emotional and whimsical adaptation that opened in theaters Wednesday.
In a recent interview, Pil said he aimed to preserve the charm of the webtoon while creating a storybook-like atmosphere. “I wanted it to feel like a fairy tale — something like, ‘In a seaside village, in a cute house with a red roof, a zombie was quietly living,’” he said.
The film follows Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), a doting father who enters secret training to protect his daughter Soo-ah (Choi Yu-ri), the last remaining zombie in the world. Pil recreated the family’s seaside home to evoke the warmth of a grandmother’s house during summer break, complementing the story’s emotional undertones with a soft color palette and sweeping ocean views.
As a fan of the webtoon himself, Pil was committed to staying true to what he loved about the original. “There was a principle I followed: I didn’t want to change the parts that I liked. I believed other fans would feel the same way,” he said.
The original creator, Lee Yoon-chang, makes a cameo as a caricature artist in an amusement park scene added for the film. “He actually asked to play a zombie, but I didn’t want him to suffer in full makeup on a hot day,” Pil recalled with a laugh.
Casting was integral to the film’s emotional resonance. Jo was envisioned for the lead from the script stage. “He’s like a perfectly tuned instrument — every note he hits is pitch-perfect,” Pil said.
Choi Yu-ri, who plays Soo-ah, was praised for her optimism and professionalism. “Even in difficult moments, she always responded with, ‘That sounds fun. I’ll try it. Thank you,’” he said.
Pil reunites with veteran actor Lee Jung-eun, who plays Soo-ah’s grandmother, Bam-sun. “Lee is remarkable. Her acting is so realistic, yet technically flawless,” he said. Cho Yeo-jeong, who plays Jung-hwan’s first love, was cast for her blend of humor and warmth.
Poster for the film “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” starring Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, Choi Yu-ri and Cho Yeo-jung.
Another scene-stealer is Ae-yong, the family cat. Pil, a devoted cat owner, cast a trained feline who performed key scenes without CGI. “I had this unfounded confidence. I thought if I found the right cat, it could be done. And it worked,” he said.
The amusement park sequence, an original addition not found in the webtoon, was created to highlight Jung-hwan’s resolve. “Even if the world turns its back, he stays the course. I wanted a scene where it feels like the world is celebrating that,” Pil explained.
At its heart, “My Daughter Is a Zombie” is about a father’s love. Pil shared that his own teenage daughter cried while watching the film. “When I asked why, she said the ending made her feel how much her dad cares for her,” he said.
Describing the film as “warm,” Pil said that spirit extended to the set, where not a single complaint was heard. With “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” he hopes audiences will be moved by the same affection and sincerity that shaped the film.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.