🧟 My Daughter is a Zombie Review │ A Heartfelt Twist on the Korean Zombie Genre — Where Love Fights Harder Than Fear
My Daughter is a Zombie is a surprisingly emotional entry in the Korean zombie genre. Korean cinema loves challenging genre boundaries…
Zombies often symbolize societal collapse — fear, distrust, and the desperate instinct to survive.
But My Daughter is a Zombie dares to flip the narrative:
Instead of fighting zombies…
a father desperately fights for one.
After becoming one of Korea’s most successful theatrical releases this year, the film is now available on Disney+, opening its emotional punch to a global audience.
This isn’t a movie about the end of the world.
It’s about refusing to let your world end — even if it’s just the size of a daughter.
🧟 My Daughter is a Zombie — Story Breakdown
The film begins with an explosive viral outbreak tearing through Seoul.
People transform into flesh-hungry zombies within seconds.
On her birthday, high schooler Su-ah (Choi Yu-ri) is bitten and begins to turn.
Her father Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), a skilled zookeeper and former wild-animal trainer, braces for the worst…
…until he notices something extraordinary.
• She still recognizes him
• She follows old habits
• She reacts emotionally — even tenderly
• She remembers music and dance
• She protects the people she loves, without thinking
Her humanity flickers beneath the hunger.
Determined not to lose her, Jung-hwan escapes with Su-ah to the quiet seaside town of Eunbong-ri, where his mother Bam-soon (Lee Jung-eun) lives. Together, they begin a bold — and hilariously chaotic — mission:
Not to kill the zombie.
But to rehabilitate her.
Zombie training meets tough-love parenting.
It’s ridiculous.
It’s messy.
And it’s surprisingly beautiful.
🎯 Why “My Daughter is a Zombie” Hits Different
1️⃣ A Zombie Movie About Saving, Not Surviving
Instead of “every zombie must die,” the film asks:
“What if the infected is someone you love?”
This emotional foundation transforms every scene.
Zombies here are not metaphors for doom — they’re metaphors for change.
Sometimes uncontrollable.
Sometimes scary.
But still deserving of love.
2️⃣ The Father–Daughter Bond Is the Heart of Everything
Jung-hwan’s love is foolish, stubborn, and unconditional —
exactly how parental love often looks in real life.
There’s a pivotal moment when Su-ah, fully in zombie mode, suddenly shields her father from danger.
No words.
Just instinct.
A moment proving that love survives long after logic collapses.
Any parent watching will feel that hit hard.
3️⃣ Humor With a Layer of Melancholy
The comedy is playful, but always edged with fear:
• What if she loses control?
• What if the world finds them?
• What if this is the last day she remembers him?
You laugh — and then you quietly ache.
That balance is uniquely Korean:
finding warmth even in tragedy.
🎭
| “My Daughter is a Zombie” Cast Performances Shine |
Jo Jung-suk | “A father who can’t let go”
He blends humor and heartbreak with remarkable precision.
His frantic attempts to “train” Su-ah feel both absurd and deeply relatable.
Every joke hides fear.
Every smile hides grief.
Choi Yu-ri | “One of the most compelling zombie performances in years”
Her physicality is astonishing — jerky and animalistic, yet layered with small human gestures.
Without speaking a line, she carries the emotional burden of the entire story.
A star-making role.
Lee Jung-eun | “The grandmother who keeps the family breathing”
Her Bam-soon is fierce, hilarious, and grounding.
She represents that unstoppable older-generation spirit:
practical love first, fear later.
Stealing Scenes in Smaller Roles
| Actor | Role | Why They Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| Yoon Kyung-ho | Dong-bae, pharmacist & loyal friend | Comic relief with genuine heart |
| Jo Yeo-jeong | Yeon-hwa, teacher with a secret | Adds moral complexity |
| Aeyong | The cat | A silent mascot of survival |
Even the supporting characters feel like fully-formed humans.
🎞 Direction & Craft That Elevate “My Daughter is a Zombie”
The film is intentionally less gory than typical zombie media.
It avoids shock value in favor of comforting relatability:
• Rural sunshine replaces urban terror
• Music becomes a lifeline
• Comedy keeps grief from swallowing the characters whole
Unlike most zombie epics, this story isn’t about saving millions.
It’s about saving one.
Because to this family, one is everything.
🚧 Where “My Daughter is a Zombie” Falls Short (Slightly)
A good film can still have flaws — and this one does:
• The final act introduces conflict very late
• Emotional beats occasionally slide into melodrama
• The comedy isn’t laugh-out-loud for everyone
Yet the feelings remain honest, and the resolution — though fast — still resonates.
You may not roar with laughter…
but the quiet ache afterward lingers longer than any joke.
Still, My Daughter is a Zombie leaves a gentle ache that stays longer than the humor.
⭐ Final Verdict: Why You Must Watch “My Daughter is a Zombie”
My Daughter is a Zombie proves that even the undead deserve love when family is involved.
“She may be a zombie, but she is still my daughter.”
This line defines the film.
Not a zombie blockbuster.
Not a high-octane thriller.
But a story of ordinary love surviving an extraordinary crisis.
✔ Emotional performances
✔ A refreshing take on the genre
✔ Warmth that sneaks up on you
It’s the kindest zombie movie Korea has ever made.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Emotional Impact | 4.5 / 5 |
| Originality | 4.0 / 5 |
| Acting | 4.5 / 5 |
| Humor | 2.5 / 5 |
| Overall | 3.7 / 5 |
Perfect for:
Parents, families, and anyone who believes love should always get the last word.
📌 Official Streaming & Verified Resources
Disney+ — My Daughter is a Zombie Global Page
https://www.disneyplus.com/
Original Webtoon: My Daughter is a Zombie
https://comic.naver.com/webtoon/list?titleId=715772
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