“My Daughter Is A Zombie,” starring Jo Jung Suk, has become the biggest opening-day hit of 2025 in South Korea, surpassing Hollywood blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible โ The Final Reckoning.” The comedy-thriller about a father raising his infected daughter has set a new record for Korean comedies.
Record-Breaking Opening Day
The film “My Daughter Is A Zombie” premiered on July 30, 2025, and immediately dominated the box office with 430,000 admissions on its first day. This beats the previous record held by Tom Cruiseโs “Mission: Impossible โ The Final Reckoning,” which had 423,000 admissions on its opening day in South Korea earlier this year .
The movie also outperformed “Extreme Job” (2019), the previous record holder for highest opening day admissions for a Korean comedy, which attracted 368,000 viewers .
What Is “My Daughter Is A Zombie” About?
The film follows Jung-hwan (Jo Jung Suk), a professional tiger trainer, and his teenage daughter Soo-a (Choi Yoo-Ri). When a zombie virus spreads globally, Soo-a gets infected. Instead of giving up on her, Jung-hwan takes her to a quiet seaside village called Eunbong-Ri, where his mother Kim Bam-soon (Lee Jung-eun) lives. Using his experience in taming wild animals, he tries to control and train his zombie daughter .
The story is based on the popular webtoon by Lee Yun-chang, which ran from 2018 to 2020. Director Pil Gam-sung, known for “Hostage: Missing Celebrity,” helmed the project .
Why Is The Movie A Big Hit?
- Unique Concept: A mix of comedy, horror, and family drama makes it stand out.
- Star Power: Jo Jung Suk, a top actor in Korea, draws audiences. His past hits include “Exit” and “Hospital Playlist.”
- Strong Supporting Cast: Lee Jung-eun (“Parasite”) and Choi Yoo-Ri bring depth to the story.
- Perfect Summer Release: Light-hearted yet thrilling, it fits the seasonโs entertainment demand.
Audience And Critical Reactions
Early reviews praise the filmโs balance of humor and emotion. Fans of the original webtoon appreciate the faithful adaptation, while new viewers enjoy the fresh take on zombie tropes.
“Jo Jung Sukโs performance is both hilarious and touching. The father-daughter dynamic makes this more than just a zombie movie.” โ Korean film critic .
“The mix of action, comedy, and heart makes it a must-watch. One of the best Korean films this year!” โ Movie fan on social media.
Global Interest
While the film is currently breaking records in South Korea, international distributors are eyeing its potential overseas. The success of Korean films like “Train to Busan” and “Parasite” has increased global demand for unique Korean stories .
Whatโs Next For The Film?
With strong word-of-mouth, “My Daughter Is A Zombie” is expected to continue its box office dominance in the coming weeks. Industry experts predict it could become one of the highest-grossing Korean films of 2025.
Also read: My Daughter is a Zombie Film Gets High Praise for Perfect Casting and Uncanny Webtoon Similarity
