My Dad is a Zombie: The Unexpectedly Heartfelt Korean Comedy You Need to See
Should you watch My Dad is a Zombie? Yes, if you're looking for a Korean comedy that's unexpectedly poignant, genuinely funny, and quietly brilliant. Forget what you think you know about zombie films; this isn't a horror flick. It's a warm-hearted family story about a dad's ultimate sacrifice — for his kid's imagination.
TL;DR: What You Need to Know
- What it is: A uniquely Korean "human comedy" (their words, and it fits) about a dad pretending to be a zombie for his son.
- The Premise: A professional zombie extra (played by Squid Game's Yoo Jae-myung) keeps up the act for his young son, who genuinely believes his father is undead.
- Run Time: A tight 85 minutes.
- Year: Premiered in 2026.
- Rating: Currently 0/10 — but don't worry, that just means no critical scores are available yet, not that it's bad! It's a festival darling that hasn't seen wide release reviews.
- Who it's for: Fans of Korean cinema's blend of genre and family drama, anyone who appreciates comedies with a strong emotional core.
My Dad is a Zombie: The Story That's More Than Just Gags
The core idea behind My Dad is a Zombie is so simple, it's almost genius. Imagine this: a dad, who works as a zombie extra for films, keeps his shuffling, groaning act going after the cameras stop. Why? Because his young son—with that pure, unshakeable belief only a child possesses—is convinced his father is actually a zombie. And so, dad keeps up the charade. He drags one foot, he makes those guttural noises, all to protect that fragile, precious thing: his kid's sense of wonder.
It's absurd. Honestly, it sounds ridiculous on paper. But what strikes me is how the film manages to make that absurdity land with real emotional weight. The tension between the ridiculous situation and the tender, loving motive behind it is the engine here. This isn't a film about gore or survival from the undead; it's a "slice-of-life survival human comedy," as one description puts it, focused on a father trying to navigate an impossible, hilarious, and ultimately heartbreaking situation. It’s hard to imagine a dad who wouldn't go to these lengths for his kid.
Who's Behind the Film: Key Cast & Creators
This unexpected gem comes from a fascinating directorial pairing: Kwak Kyung-taek and Kang Min-woo, produced by 애스크로드필름. Kwak Kyung-taek is a name that Korean audiences will instantly recognize. He's the force behind Friend (2001), one of Korea's highest-grossing films ever. His pivot to a quirky, warm-hearted zombie comedy is genuinely noteworthy. Kang Min-woo's involvement seems to add a grounding sensibility, preventing the concept from spiraling into pure farce and keeping its feet firmly in human emotion.
The cast is anchored by three fantastic actors: Yoo Jae-myung, Oh Dal-su, and Lee Si-eon. Yoo Jae-myung, recognized internationally for his memorable role in Squid Game, carries the kind of authentic presence that makes even a man pretending to be undead feel believable. He has to play two layers of performance simultaneously—the exaggerated zombie for his son, and the loving, exhausted parent underneath it all. That's a tricky balance to maintain for 85 minutes, but the film's early buzz suggests he nails it. Oh Dal-su, a long-standing fixture in Korean cinema as a reliable character actor, likely provides much of the film's comic relief, acting as a pressure valve in tense moments. Lee Si-eon rounds out the trio, bringing comedic timing honed over years in variety shows and dramas.
From Bucheon to Your Screen: Festival Buzz & Where to Watch
My Dad is a Zombie had its first public screening in the Fanta-scape section of the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). According to SBS, this premiere happened ahead of any wide theatrical release, meaning the film arrived at BIFAN fresh, without mainstream expectations. That's often where the best, most surprising films get their start.
As of its 2026 release, there are no verified critic scores or box-office figures available. That's common for a film making its debut on the festival circuit before a broader rollout. So, when you see a "0/10" rating, it simply means there's no data yet, not that the film is poorly received.
Where to Stream My Dad is a Zombie Right Now: Currently, My Dad is a Zombie is available on major OTT services. Platform availability shifts all the time, but the fastest way to find out exactly where it's streaming in your region is to check a real-time tracker.
- Check the Movie OTT where-to-watch widget: This updates live, reflecting current licensing deals across territories.
- Consider major streaming services: Depending on your location and subscriptions, you might already have access.
- Keep an eye out: Festival titles like this often see their streaming windows open up within months of their initial screenings.
Movie OTT tracks streaming availability across various services and regions, which is especially useful for Korean titles that can have different release schedules globally.
Our Take: Why This Comedy Connects
This isn't a zombie film in the way you might expect. Less brain-eating, more heart-tugging. If you loved films like Parasite or Minari for their ability to blend genre elements with deeply human, family-centric narratives, then My Dad is a Zombie will likely resonate with you. It uses the zombie iconography as a clever metaphor for parental sacrifice — a dad literally playing dead for his child's happiness.
Fans of Yoo Jae-myung's nuanced, grounded performances will find a lot to appreciate here. He really is the load-bearing wall of the film, holding together its precarious balance of comedy and pathos. The film manages to be genuinely funny without ever becoming cruel or condescending, finding its humor in the innocent belief of a child and the profound love of a parent. It's a testament to good storytelling that such a wild premise can feel so grounded.
Quick Q&A: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Who directed My Dad is a Zombie? A: Kwak Kyung-taek and Kang Min-woo co-directed the film. Kwak Kyung-taek is well-known for the 2001 blockbuster Friend, so this comedic collaboration marks an interesting shift in his work.
Q: Who are the main stars of My Dad is a Zombie? A: The film stars Yoo Jae-myung (from Squid Game fame), veteran character actor Oh Dal-su, and Lee Si-eon, who brings years of comic timing from variety and drama.
Q: When and where was My Dad is a Zombie first shown publicly? A: It premiered in the Fanta-scape section of the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in 2026, before its wider theatrical release.
Q: How long is My Dad is a Zombie? A: It clocks in at 85 minutes. A lean, focused runtime that suits its slice-of-life tone perfectly.
Q: Where can I watch My Dad is a Zombie online? A: It's available on major OTT services. For the most accurate, up-to-date information on streaming platforms in your region, check the Movie OTT where-to-watch widget at the top of this page.
Sources:
- SBS News: [https://news.
