'Zombie Daughter' Dominates Box Office and Earns International Acclaim

The film 'Zombie Daughter' has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 3 million viewers in record time this year, maintaining its dominant position at the box office in its second week. The lead actor, Jo Jung-suk, is celebrating a series of personal and professional successes, including his wife's second pregnancy, the film's box office triumph, and its invitation to international film festivals.

'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. The film has held the top spot at the box office for 12 consecutive days.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, 'Zombie Daughter' attracted 840,481 viewers over the second weekend, bringing its total audience to 3,351,394, securing the number one position at the box office. Despite the strong performance of new releases like 'F1: The Movie,' 'Zombie Daughter' remains unshaken, maintaining its lead for 12 straight days. It broke the 3 million viewer mark on September 9, the fastest this year, and is on track to set a new record for 2025.

'Zombie Daughter' is also captivating audiences beyond Korea. It has been invited to the 58th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, taking place from October 9 to October 19. Established in 1968 as a fantasy and horror film showcase, the Sitges Film Festival is now one of the most prestigious genre film festivals globally. 'Zombie Daughter' has been selected for the competitive Panorama section, which features works with unique styles and fantasy genre sensibilities.

Angel Sala, the director of the Sitges Film Festival, praised 'Zombie Daughter' as "a perfect blend of comedy and drama centered around the theme of family, reinterpreting classic slapstick comedy and naturally incorporating expressions that resonate with younger audiences." He added, "Director Pil Gam-sung demonstrates an excellent balance of genre and tone, consistently delivering fresh entertainment. 'Zombie Daughter' is a significant work in contemporary Korean cinema."

'Zombie Daughter' is currently showing in theaters nationwide.

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