Will Jo Jung-suk's Summer Film Achieve a Triple Hit?

On June 30, a production briefing for the film 'Zombie Daughter' was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul, featuring director Phil Kwang-sung and cast members Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, Jo Yeo-jeong, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Choi Yu-ri.

'Zombie Daughter' is a comedic drama based on a webtoon of the same name, telling the story of a devoted father who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter, who has become the last zombie on Earth. Directed by Phil Kwang-sung, known for his stylish direction in 'Hostage' and 'Luck to You', the film promises a delightful mix of comedy and drama, showcasing the strong chemistry among the talented cast, including Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, Jo Yeo-jeong, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Choi Yu-ri, who closely resemble their original characters.

Jo Jung-suk, a familiar face in summer comedies, has previously enjoyed box office success with 'Exit' and 'Pilot', both released on July 31 in their respective years. He expressed gratitude for the film's summer release, stating, "It's not easy to have a summer release, so I feel lucky. I hope 'Zombie Daughter' will do well, just like 'Exit' and 'Pilot'. Everything seems to align perfectly this time."

Lee Jung-eun, reuniting with director Phil Kwang-sung after 'Luck to You', shared her excitement about the project, saying, "I thought the director had a great sense of comedy. I was looking for a film that families could enjoy together, and this one fits that perfectly."

Jo Yeo-jeong added, "I was always waiting for a warm story like this. I wanted to be part of it after hearing about the cast. I was thrilled to read the script and wanted to be involved immediately."

Yoon Kyung-ho, who was caught off guard when asked about his charm in the film, mentioned, "I prepared to show a new side of myself that I haven't revealed before. I want to create a realistic humor that resonates with the audience. The director encouraged me to hold back a bit, which I think will showcase a different charm."

Jo Jung-suk mentioned a favorite scene featuring Yoon Kyung-ho, saying, "You'll love his character; he’s funny just standing there."

Choi Yu-ri, who previously appeared as Kim Tae-ri's younger self in 'Alien + People', expressed her gratitude for being part of the project, stating, "It was an honor to work with the director and seniors. I’m thankful to portray a character I’ve loved for a long time."

Yoon Kyung-ho praised Choi Yu-ri, saying, "She’s an amazing actress. She even brought us flowers to celebrate. It’s her first production briefing, and we should be the ones giving her gifts!"

Director Phil Kwang-sung shared his joy about the cast, saying, "I was thrilled to be on set with such a dream lineup. I hoped the chemistry would reflect in the film. The actors seamlessly blend comedy, emotion, and excitement in every scene."

The film features Jo Jung-suk as Lee Jung-hwan, a zookeeper and doting father who trains his zombie daughter as if she were a wild animal, promising plenty of laughs from his efforts.

Phil Kwang-sung revealed his long-time admiration for Jo Jung-suk, saying, "I’ve been a fan since the early 2000s after seeing him in a musical. I wrote the script with him in mind, hoping to find an actor who could balance humor and heartfelt moments. I was grateful when he agreed to join the project."

Jo Jung-suk admitted he hadn’t read the original webtoon before receiving the script but found it so entertaining that he struggled to contain his emotions while reading it. He humorously noted, "I even had to use concealer after playing with my daughter!" to which Yoon Kyung-ho quipped, "That’s because he’s a doting dad!"

Lee Jung-eun, who plays Jo Jung-suk's mother and Choi Yu-ri's grandmother, described her character as a quiet grandmother who enjoys her life in Seoul while trying to save her granddaughter from chaos. She added, "You’ll see a grandmother who enjoys K-pop as well!"

Choi Yu-ri was the first cast member to be signed on, with director Phil Kwang-sung praising her dedication to practicing dance while balancing her studies. He noted, "Working with her was challenging due to the special effects makeup, but she approached it with such grace that I decided to respect her from day one."

The relationships among the cast were also highlighted, with Jo Jung-suk recalling his past encounters with Yoon Kyung-ho and Jo Yeo-jeong, stating, "We’ve known each other for years, and it’s great to finally work together."

Yoon Kyung-ho reflected on their previous roles in 'Itaewon Class', saying, "We’ve worked together before, and seeing Choi Yu-ri grow up has been a proud moment for me."

Jo Yeo-jeong and Lee Jung-eun, who previously collaborated on 'Parasite', expressed their desire to work together again, with Jo Yeo-jeong saying, "I hope we can do more scenes together in the future."

When asked about the film's potential success, Jo Jung-suk humorously remarked, "I hope it does well. Using the law of threes, I’d love to see 3,333,000 viewers!"

'Zombie Daughter' is set to hit theaters nationwide on July 30.