THE HOUSEMAID (HANYEO)
Synopsis
The film tells the story of a middle-class Korean family, with Kim Dong-sik (Kim Jin-kyu), a music teacher, living with his wife (Ju Jeung-ryu) and their two children. Their peaceful life begins to unravel when they hire a maid (Lee Eun-sim) - a young woman whose behavior gradually becomes erratic and increasingly unhinged. At first, the maid appears loyal and devoted. However, she eventually seduces the husband and becomes pregnant with his child. When the affair is uncovered, the family descends into a spiral of tragic consequences.
Director's biography
Kim Ki-young (1919 - 1998) was one of the most renowned and influential directors in the history of Korean cinema, especially in the post-liberation era. He graduated in dentistry from Seoul National University and began his career as an actor and director for stage performances. He made his debut as a film director in 1955 with The Box of Death, followed by over 30 notable films, including The Housemaid (1960), The Sea Knows (1961), Woman of Fire (1971), and Chungnyeo (1972). Kim Ki-young's cinematic style is characterized by his exploration of complex character psychology and elements of horror and sexuality. His films not only left a strong impact domestically but also gained attention from countries such as Japan, the United States, Germany, and France. After his death in a house fire in 1998, his cinematic legacy was honored through retrospective screenings at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Cinémathèque Française, with 18 of his films being showcased. Some of his lost films were also rediscovered, restored, and re-released in 2006.