MOVIE
Behind the Scenes of 'My Daughter is a Zombie': Unveiling the Special Effects Makeup
'My Daughter is a Zombie' is a comedic drama about a doting father who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter, who has become the last remaining zombie on Earth. The film has shared insights into the special effects makeup used to transform the daughter into a zombie.
Soo-ah (played by Choi Yoo-ri), who transforms from Jung-hwan's (Jo Jung-suk) only teenage daughter into the last zombie daughter on Earth, captivates audiences with her unique charm. Unlike the terrifying creatures typically seen in zombie films, Soo-ah is both scary and endearingly lovable. To fully embody the character, Choi Yoo-ri underwent an arduous 300-day special effects makeup process from pre-production to filming. The makeup, which took two hours to apply each day, was divided into four stages to reflect the character's emotional changes throughout the film. Despite the challenging process, Choi Yoo-ri remained dedicated, impressing director Pil Gam-sung and the production team, earning the praise, "The most mature person on the 'My Daughter is a Zombie' set is Choi Yoo-ri."
To achieve a realistic zombie look, the makeup team created custom lenses specifically for Soo-ah. Traditional special lenses were too large and uncomfortable for long wear, so a U.S. company was commissioned to develop custom lenses that maintained the visual effect while reducing discomfort. Various lens concepts were created to express Soo-ah's changing emotions and situations, and after extensive testing, the most suitable lenses were selected for each scene.
Another standout transformation was that of Bamsun (Lee Jung-eun), who portrayed a character older than her actual age. High-level special effects makeup was used to achieve a look that was both true to the original character and endearing. Lee Jung-eun, like Choi Yoo-ri, underwent a two-hour makeup process for each shoot to become the beloved 'comic book grandmother' Bamsun.
Additionally, Dong-bae's (Yoon Kyung-ho) 'Thor' makeup cannot be overlooked. Despite the comedic context, the production team ensured that the quality of the makeup did not detract from the humor. From wigs to makeup and costumes, every detail was meticulously crafted, resulting in the creation of 'Dong-thor,' the film's top comedic element.
'My Daughter is a Zombie' is currently showing in theaters nationwide.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
