Zombie for Sale 2019

The narrative centers on the Park family, whose tranquil lives are thrown into disarray when their elderly father is bitten by a zombie. The film kicks off with a mysterious zombie emerging from a sewer, making its way into a rural village. In an unexpected turn of events, while attempting to escape from a dog, the zombie ends up biting an elderly local. This poor creature then faces a string of unfortunate mishaps, from being chased to ultimately getting struck by a car, until it is finally captured by a nearby family.

Initially, the family regards the zombie with a sense of compassion, completely unaware of the infection he carries. It is not until Min-geol, portrayed by Kim Nam-gil, investigates the zombie’s behavior online that he deduces the creature is indeed undead. This revelation leads Min-geol to propose a chilling course of action: the zombie must be destroyed, along with his bitten father, Man-deok, played by Park In-hwan. The proposition creates a rift within the family as they grapple with the moral dilemma of potentially killing their own patriarch.

Meanwhile, Man-deok finds himself confined within a camper van, enduring intense discomfort as he sweats and writhes. Yet, in an unexpected twist, he begins to experience remarkable physical transformations—his strength increases, and his skin appears younger. News of Man-deok’s rejuvenation spreads quickly among the village elders. They learn about the zombie’s peculiar properties and encourage Man-deok to embark on a new venture—a “rejuvenation business.”

This unexpected business becomes an astonishing success, pulling in considerable profits. However, once their financial ambitions are met, Man-deok disappears with the earnings, leaving for Hawaii. The family, demoralized from his departure, finds solace in the fact that rumors of the zombie’s revitalizing effects are now encouraging younger villagers to seek out bites, hoping to experience similar transformations.

Taking the reins of his father’s venture, Min-geol directs the operation. The family affectionately names the zombie Jjongbi, who becomes somewhat domesticated through a diet of cabbage—curiously resembling a brain. The youngest daughter, Hae-geol, played by Lee Soo-kyung, forms a bond with Jjongbi, developing a special affection for him.

However, as time progresses and the incubation period concludes, the infection takes a turn for the worse. The once hopeful villagers gradually transform into zombies themselves, resulting in total chaos engulfing the village. The film richly illustrates the blend of dark humor and horror, capturing the essence of a community caught in a bizarre yet fascinating crisis.