Yoon Kyung-ho on 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' and why he apologized to director

Actor Yoon Kyung-ho says the success of “My Daughter Is a Zombie” has made him more cautious than celebratory. Describing himself as careful and sensitive, he noted that “80 percent of what sustains my acting is worry.”

He also recalled a compliment from director Shin Won-ho, who once told him he had “a face that can deliver 100 percent with only 50 percent acting.”

While co-star Jo Jung-suk is known for his expansive performances, Yoon said he feels his own subtle expressions often let audiences imagine more, which he believes is why “people see me favorably and trust me,” adding, “that’s why they think I act well, and I’m grateful.”

In the comedy, which opened July 30 and has drawn over 3.5 million viewers, Yoon plays Dong-bae, a role that gave him plenty of laughs but also pressure.

Yoon expressed strong trust in co-stars Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, Cho Yeo-jung, and Choi Yu-ri, saying, “They’re all actors known for their skill, so I worried a lot about whether I’d fit the balance, whether my tone would match,” he said.

Still, he was drawn to the character’s warmth. “I wanted to be the lubricant between the actors, not just a helper — blending in when needed, stepping back when needed, and just enjoying being part of the team.”

On set, the atmosphere reminded him of “a high school girls’ reunion,” filled with chatter and laughter. But his enthusiasm sometimes got ahead of him. “The most common thing director Pil Gam-seong told me was, ‘Let’s not do that, Dong-bae,’” Yoon said, admitting that his desire to do well led to unnecessary ad-libs.

One scene simply required him to step aside, but he improvised a line about leaving a hammer in the car. “I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to the director,” he said with a laugh.

Not all of his improvisations were cut. “During post-recording, the director said that maybe he’d told me not to do things too often, and that some of what I did was good — like a gem. We’ve gotten to know each other better, and now we text often. I really like him.”

The most nerve-racking moment, he said, was delivering his first line — “Mother, Dong-bae is here” — likening it to joining a group jump rope and fearing he might trip.

Jo Jung-suk, he said, “would make even my mistakes fun,” while Lee Jung-eun told him, “Just looking at you, you are Dong-bae,” a comment that gave him a big boost.

Having built a career across film, television and theater, Yoon says he now values working anywhere that allows him to act. “Whether it’s an indie film, a short, a play or a drama, I want to keep showing myself, learning and becoming an actor who fits anywhere,” he said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.