Director Pil Gam-sung Brings Heartfelt Comedy to Life with 'Zombie Daughter'

"I also have a teenage daughter, so this story really resonated with me."

Director and screenwriter Pil Gam-sung shared his personal connection to the film 'Zombie Daughter,' which he directed and wrote. Based on a webtoon of the same name, 'Zombie Daughter' is a comedic drama about a doting father who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter, the last remaining zombie in the world. Pil was drawn to the original work's message and its contrasting tone of humor against a sad story.

"I loved the question posed by the original: 'What choice would I make if the one I love most became a zombie?' It resonated with me. Questions like 'Can a zombie become family?' lingered throughout the project. As a father of a teenage daughter myself, I found the idea of turning a sad story about a loved one becoming a zombie into something humorous and poignant very appealing. I wanted to take on the challenge of adapting it into a film."

Pil's previous works include the thriller films 'Hostage' (2021) and the drama 'Unlucky Day' (2023). Although he has proven his skills in the thriller genre, this time he ventured into comedy.

"I actually love comedy. Even before 'Hostage,' I was preparing a comedy film. I didn't start 'Zombie Daughter' with the intention of doing comedy. I was captivated by the original story when it was proposed to me. I thought the tone was delightful, and it naturally led to my direction."

In 'Zombie Daughter,' Jo Jung-suk plays the role of the doting father Jeong-hwan, Lee Jung-eun plays Jeong-hwan's mother Bamsun, Yoon Kyung-ho plays Jeong-hwan's friend Dong-bae, and Jo Yeo-jeong plays Jeong-hwan's first love Yeon-hwa. The role of the zombie daughter, Soo-ah, is played by Choi Yoo-ri, known for her roles in the drama 'Itaewon Class' and films 'Alienoid' and 'The Black Nuns.' Pil expressed his satisfaction with the casting, saying, "Fortunately, all the actors were my top picks, and they agreed to join immediately. It was a happy occasion."

Pil shared his trust in Jo Jung-suk, saying, "I couldn't imagine Jeong-hwan being anyone other than Jo Jung-suk." He added, "From the moment I read the original, I thought Jo Jung-suk would be perfect. I wrote the script with him in mind every step of the way. I was thrilled when he agreed to do it. I proposed it to him like a 'love letter,' and thankfully, he said, 'It really feels like me,' which made me feel like I was on cloud nine." Jo Jung-suk is a father in real life, and Pil noted, "There were many performances that could only come from a father. Jo Jung-suk is an outstanding actor, and adding the 'father' element brought out even better performances."

On set, Pil often had to rein in Yoon Kyung-ho's enthusiasm for comedy. They had agreed to keep the performances understated without excessive ad-libs or actions, but Yoon was very eager in his approach. Pil recounted, "Kyung-ho prepared diligently for the shoot, with multiple options for each scene. Coincidentally, the first scene was a Thor cosplay, which was supposed to start off calmly. It was a scene with Jo Jung-suk, and I had to remind him, 'Kyung-ho, remember what we talked about?' It's still a funny story I share."

Despite his strong background in thrillers, Pil didn't overlook the details of 'zombie directing' in this comedy. The film features several dance scenes, as Jeong-hwan's family loves K-pop and dancing. Mixing zombies, comedy, and dance could have been awkward, but Pil managed to blend them harmoniously. The film also features choreography by Jeon Young, known for his work on 'Train to Busan,' 'Peninsula,' the series 'Kingdom,' 'Newtopia,' and the variety show 'Zombie Bus,' contributing to the K-zombie universe. Additionally, art director Chae Kyung-sun and makeup director Jo Tae-hee, both genre masters, lent their expertise.

"There were concerns, but we had Jeon Young, known as a pioneer of K-zombies. We decided to approach it differently this time, incorporating backstories for each zombie character. For instance, the zombie delivery man's motion included tape-placing gestures, hinting at residual memories. The zombie outbreak scene was inspired by Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' music video. We aimed to make it funny yet grotesque and realistic. The OST also has a Michael Jackson vibe, serving as an important reference."

When adapting works with existing source material, audience opinions often vary due to the original's fidelity and quality. Did Pil have any discussions with the original author during the adaptation process?

"Not really. I showed the script just before filming, and they liked it. They thanked me, saying I fulfilled parts they wanted to see. It gave me courage. I'm also a fan of the original. While adapting, I aimed to preserve what I loved. I think original fans will feel the same way."

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network for movie tickets, 'Zombie Daughter' set a new record for the highest pre-sale tickets among this year's releases, with 273,354 tickets sold as of the morning of the 29th, a day before its release. It also achieved the number one spot in pre-sale rates. Pil encouraged audiences, saying, "It's a film with thrilling suspense, warm emotions, and a well-blended ensemble. It's a harmless movie that families can enjoy together at the theater."

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