‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’ sets record for longest box office reign this year
Actor Jo Jung-suk in a scene from “My Daughter Is a Zombie” / Courtesy of NEW
Comedy thriller “My Daughter Is a Zombie” has topped the Korean box office for 23 consecutive days since its release, marking the longest streak at No. 1 for any film this year.
Distributor NEW said Friday that the comedy, released July 30, has stayed at the top spot for 23 straight days, surpassing the 21-day record held by “Mickey 17” and “The Match.”
The film has already set multiple milestones, including the biggest opening for a Korean comedy, and the fastest climb this year to 4 million viewers. According to the Korean Film Council’s box office data released Friday, its cumulative audience has now reached 4.73 million.
That has secured its position as the country’s most successful release of 2025 so far.
“My Daughter Is a Zombie” is outpacing the run of the 2023 summer hit “Smugglers” (17 days) and even last year’s “Pilot” (22 days). It has also beaten foreign blockbusters such as “F1: The Movie” and “Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning” to become the top-grossing film of the year, firmly holding its lead at the box office.
The success is not limited to Korea. The film has also drawn strong audiences overseas, ranking as the No. 1 live-action Korean movie released in North America this year, ahead of competitors like “Omniscient Reader” and “Dark Nuns.”
Lee Yoon-chang, author of the original “My Daughter Is a Zombie” webtoon, praised the adaptation.
“The casting was perfect. The chemistry among the characters stood out and delivered laughs naturally, with no awkwardness," he said.
“I am deeply grateful that audiences are listening to the story of Jeong-hwan (Jo Jung-suk). Thanks to the love for the original, the series could expand from animation to film. I recommend those who discovered the movie first to also check out the webtoon.”
He said that his mother even went to the theater for the first time in 50 years after the release. "I hope many people take their parents to the cinema as well. I will return someday with another good story.”
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.