Actor Jo Jung-suk is challenging the box office for the third time this summer with 〈Zombie Daughter〉, following the movies 〈Exit〉 (2019) and 〈Pilot〉 (2024). Jo Jung-suk stated, "It is unusual for three leading roles to be released consecutively during the summer peak season," and expressed, "I think it’s due to luck."
In the comedy film 〈Zombie Daughter〉, directed by Pil Gam-seong, which is set to be released on the 30th of next month, Jo Jung-suk plays the role of Jeong-hwan, a 'dad who dotes on his daughter', and will compete against notable Korean tentpole films such as 〈Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint〉 and 〈The Devil's Deal〉.
Based on the webtoon of the same name by writer Lee Yoon-chang, the movie 〈Zombie Daughter〉 depicts the story of a father, Jeong-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), who struggles to protect his daughter Sua (played by Choi Yu-ri) who has turned into a zombie.
At the production report held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul on the 30th of last month, Jo Jung-suk said, "The character Jeong-hwan in the script felt like 'myself'," and added, "It was so fun that there was no reason not to decide to participate."
Director Pil Gam-seong revealed that he became a fan of Jo Jung-suk through musicals in the early 2000s and had been waiting a long time for the opportunity to collaborate with him. It is said that the director wrote the script with Jo Jung-suk in mind.
Director Pil stated, "Jo Jung-suk is an actor who can handle both comedic acting and heartbreaking emotional performances," and expressed his happiness that he readily accepted the offer to participate.
In addition to Jo Jung-suk, the film features a number of actors who excel in comedic performances, including Lee Jung-eun, Jo Yeo-jeong, and Yoon Kyung-ho.
Lee Jung-eun plays the role of Jeong-hwan's mother, Bamsun, who takes care of her granddaughter, dressing as a woman in her 70s. Lee Jung-eun mentioned, "I have done a lot of elderly acting since my 20s on the theater stage," and added, "Based on that experience, I will be able to present a new grandmother character." She particularly noted that Bamsun is set to be an active character, differentiating her from existing elderly characters.
Jo Yeo-jeong, who worked with Lee Jung-eun in the movie 〈Parasite〉 (2019), plays Jeong-hwan's first love, Yeon-hwa. Jo Yeo-jeong explained, "I decided to participate just by looking at the names of the actors I would be working with," and added, "Yeon-hwa is a character with a unique setting as a nationally certified 'zombie hunter.'"
Child actor Choi Yu-ri's zombie performance is also one of the main viewing points of the movie. Choi Yu-ri received guidance from dance and choreography instructors for realistic zombie acting and underwent over two hours of special makeup during filming.
Director Pil praised, "Despite the difficult filming, she always approached the staff with a bright demeanor, which was admirable," and added, "Choi Yu-ri is a great actress and a mature friend."
