Jo Jung-suk’s latest film, My Daughter Is a Zombie, has become the biggest box office hit of summer 2025, staying at number one for 10 straight days and crossing 3 million viewers faster than any other film this year. The comedy-drama, directed by Pil Gam-sung, tells the story of a father protecting his zombie daughter and has won over audiences with its mix of humor and emotion.
Box Office Domination
My Daughter Is a Zombie opened on July 30, 2025, and immediately broke records. It sold 430,091 tickets on its first day, the highest opening for a Korean comedy in five years. By August 2, it had already reached 1 million viewers, and by August 4, it crossed 2 million. On August 9, the film hit 3 million viewers, making it the fastest film this year to achieve this milestone.
The movie has earned $20.4 million so far and is the second highest-grossing Korean film of 2025. It outperformed big Hollywood releases like Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning and F1: The Movie, which stars Brad Pitt. Even on weekdays, the film drew over 100,000 daily viewers, proving its strong appeal.
“Jo Jung-suk is officially the man of the summer. Thank you for this gem!” – A fan reaction from CGV reviews.
Why Audiences Love It
The film follows Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), a tiger trainer who must protect his teenage daughter Soo-ah (Choi Yoo-ri) after she becomes the last zombie on Earth. The story blends comedy, action, and family drama, resonating with all age groups.
Audience reviews praise the film’s balance of laughter and emotion. On Korean cinema sites, it holds a 91% Egg Score (CGV), 9.1/10 (Lotte Cinema), and 9.08/10 (Naver). Many viewers called it the “perfect summer movie” and highlighted Jo Jung-suk’s performance as both funny and touching.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew
The film features a strong supporting cast, including Lee Jung-eun (from Parasite) as Jung-hwan’s mother and Cho Yeo-jeong as a zombie hunter. The production team includes experts from hit films like Train to Busan and All of Us Are Dead, ensuring high-quality zombie effects and action scenes.
Director Pil Gam-sung explained:
“We wanted Soo-ah to be scary yet lovable, like a pet. Another key element is dance, which connects Jung-hwan and Soo-ah.”
Global Release Plans
After its success in South Korea, My Daughter Is a Zombie is set to release in 22 countries, including:
- Taiwan (August 1)
- Indonesia & Vietnam (August 8)
- Philippines (August 13)
- Singapore & Malaysia (August 14)
- Australia & New Zealand (August 21)
The film’s international performance will be closely watched, as it could boost Korean cinema’s global reach even further.
What’s Next?
With its strong word-of-mouth and high ratings, My Daughter Is a Zombie is expected to keep breaking records. Jo Jung-suk has now scored three summer hits in a row (Exit, Pilot, and now this), cementing his status as a box office king.
Also Read: Jo Jung Suk’s New Movie “My Daughter Is A Zombie” Breaks South Korean Box Office Records
Credits: SBS Entertainment News, Variety, Kpopmap
