Yoon Kyung-ho Talks 'Zombie Daughter' and His Comedic Journey

"Before I got the nickname 'Hangbli,' I always thought I contributed a lot to my projects. But this time, I feel like my contribution might actually reflect in ticket sales. I'm quite proud of myself. Haha."

As the release of the film 'Zombie Daughter' approaches, Yoon Kyung-ho is feeling the love from the public more than ever. The film, set to premiere on the 30th, is a comedic drama about a doting father, Jeong-hwan (played by Jo Jung-suk), who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter Soo-ah (played by Choi Yoo-ri), the last remaining zombie in the world. Yoon Kyung-ho plays Dong-bae, Jeong-hwan's hometown friend and a pharmacist. Regarding 'Zombie Daughter' topping the reservation charts, Yoon expressed, "I'm both nervous and excited. Seeing the high reservation rate makes me feel the heat of the response. It's thrilling yet nerve-wracking."

Earlier this year, Yoon Kyung-ho gained popularity for his role as proctologist Han Yoo-rim in the Netflix series 'Trauma Center,' earning nicknames like 'Hangbli,' 'Yoorim-ping,' and 'Petite Yoorim.' Riding on this positive momentum, Yoon commented on the pre-release buzz for 'Zombie Daughter,' saying, "I think I have a share in this," with a laugh. He added, "I'm both excited and scared. I wonder how long people will continue to view me favorably and have expectations. I'm worried I might make a mistake, but I'm also happy."

While playing Dong-bae, Yoon revealed an unexpected fact: "I was often restrained." He felt pressured to be funny in a comedy, but the director helped adjust his tone. Yoon shared, "Whenever I tried to have a fiery performance with Jo Jung-suk, the director would tone me down, which was quite amusing."

"When I first met the director, I said, 'The comedy I aim for is where irony naturally arises from the situation, not forced ad-libs or exaggerated actions.' The director agreed. But as we progressed, I felt restless, wondering if it was okay to do nothing. I found myself doing things unconsciously, even some poor ad-libs. The director would say, 'Kyung-ho, let's not do that.' Initially, it was funny, but as it repeated, I felt discouraged, wondering if I wasn't trusted. On set, it was a constant push and pull of 'let's do it' and 'let's not.' Eventually, I realized I was putting too much pressure on myself in the comedy genre. Being with Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, and Jo Yeo-jeong, I felt the need to prove something. The director's firm guidance was beneficial for me."

One of the best scenes in the movie is Yoon Kyung-ho's Thor cosplay. In the film, Dong-bae goes to an amusement park with Jeong-hwan and Soo-ah, dressed as Thor. The long blonde hair and muscular costume suit Yoon well, and his sly performance adds to the comedy's charm. Yoon confidently stated, "It's my hidden card, my key."

"Initially, the idea was Harley Quinn, but I wondered if it had to be Harley Quinn. I questioned the rationale behind Dong-bae choosing Harley Quinn for cosplay and worried about potential backlash from the audience. After discussing with the director, Thor came up. It seemed like a character everyone would want to try, extending childhood fantasies. I could have the muscular physique I never had. Haha. I thought the audience would enjoy the Thor cosplay with minimal risk. I didn't expect such high quality. The makeup and hair team went all out, even getting an expensive wig. I thought, 'Can this quality come from a rural village like Eunbong-ri?' So, I suggested toning down the costume. If you look closely, the shoes are boots you'd find in the countryside. Everyone said the blonde hair and muscles suited me well. It was a unique experience, and I hope people enjoy it. Haha."

The film centers on paternal love. As a father of a daughter and a son, Yoon Kyung-ho shared, "I always want to be a dad who can do everything."

"When I see touching videos of dads on social media, I get emotional. I wonder if I should be like that too. Seeing cool, wonderful, and caring dads makes me want to be one as well. Ultimately, I always feel lacking. But I want to be a dad who, despite his shortcomings, is never lacking in love."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr