The South Korean film industry is known for producing numerous 18+ films, and The Handmaiden stands out as one of the most renowned titles. Upon its release, this film left audiences stunned with its many daring and surprising scenes. However, it is not just the provocative content that captures attention; the film is also highly regarded for its artistic quality and technical prowess. The Handmaiden is considered a classic and has garnered significant acclaim at prestigious awards.
The Handmaiden tells a love story between two women during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
The film The Handmaiden is set in the 1930s during the Japanese colonial rule in Korea and revolves around four main characters: Lady Hideko, Count Kouzuki, conman Fujiwara, and maid Sook Hee.
The plot begins when Fujiwara, a con artist, hires Sook Hee to act as a maid for Lady Hideko, who is set to inherit a vast fortune that Fujiwara intends to claim.
Kim Tae Ri and Kim Min Hee fall in love in the film “The Handmaiden”.
In the role of Sook Hee, the maid, she infiltrates the mansion owned by Kouzuki, Hideko’s uncle, who is a wealthy and reclusive man. Sook Hee’s mission is to facilitate the marriage between Hideko and Fujiwara. However, an unexpected development occurs as Sook Hee and Hideko fall in love with each other.
As Sook Hee becomes closer to Hideko, she realizes that her feelings for her are growing stronger. Yet, Sook Hee is determined to keep Hideko with Fujiwara, which causes Hideko to feel overwhelmed and even despairing. Fortunately, Sook Hee’s feelings for Hideko become mutual, leading to a complex love triangle.
“The Handmaiden” features many daring and provocative scenes.
Ultimately, Sook Hee and Hideko collaborate to escape their oppressive situations, while Fujiwara and Kouzuki must face the consequences of their actions.
One of the reasons The Handmaiden has achieved significant success is due to the exceptional performances of its cast. Eight years since its release, what has happened to the stars involved?
Main cast of the film “The Handmaiden”
Hideko, played by Kim Min Hee, is a character that many viewers despise.
The role of Hideko is portrayed by actress Kim Min Hee. In this role, she won the Best Leading Actress award at the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards. Beautiful, charming, and with an impressive presence, Kim Min Hee has, however, faced considerable backlash from viewers.
This backlash stems from her public relationship with director Hong Sang Soo, who is 22 years her senior and already married. Since this revelation, Kim Min Hee’s career has faced significant setbacks. It can be said that The Handmaiden was a major turning point in Kim Min Hee’s career, at least up until now.
The relationship that negatively impacted Kim Min Hee’s career.
Sook Hee’s career has significantly flourished after The Handmaiden.
In The Handmaiden, the character Sook Hee is played by actress Kim Tae Ri. With this role, she won the Best New Actress award at the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards. After The Handmaiden, Kim Tae Ri’s career has skyrocketed. She has achieved many successes both in television and film.
On the big screen, Kim Tae Ri has participated in various quality projects such as “The Two People’s Jungle” and “1987: When the Day Comes” – the film that prompted South Korean President Moon Jae In to take action.
After “The Handmaiden”, Kim Tae Ri has taken on many memorable roles.
In television, Kim Tae Ri has prominent roles in popular series like “Mirror of the Witch,” “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” and “The Devil.” In 2024, audiences will see Kim Tae Ri again in a new film titled “Jeong Nyeon.”
Fujiwara continues to make a mark on the big screen.
The character Fujiwara in The Handmaiden is portrayed by actor Ha Jung Woo. After the success of The Handmaiden, he continued to solidify his status as a leading actor by contributing to numerous box office hits such as “The Outlaws,” which grossed $51.9 million, “The Drug King,” which made $109.4 million, and “1987: When the Day Comes,” which earned $54.5 million.
Ha Jung Woo has many blockbuster hits, especially in the film “The Drug King”.
However, recent projects like “Steel Rain” and “The Great Battle” have not achieved the same commercial success.
Kouzuki’s character shines with ongoing film roles.
The final main character in The Handmaiden is played by Jo Jin Woong, who portrays Count Kouzuki. 2016 was a successful year for Jo Jin Woong, not only with The Handmaiden but also with the hit drama “Signal,” which garnered significant popularity among viewers.
In the years following, the 1976-born actor has continued to be active in the entertainment industry, taking on various significant roles in different projects. Some of his noteworthy films include “The Drug King” ($39.2 million), “A Model Family” ($39.7 million), and “The Drug King” ($38.5 million).
Jo Jin Woong has achieved great success in his recent projects.
However, similar to Ha Jung Woo, some of Jo Jin Woong’s recent films have not performed as well commercially. The film “Dead Man” released earlier this year only earned a modest $1.7 million.
In the field of television, since “Signal,” he has only appeared once in a guest role in the drama “My Name.” Jo Jin Woong played Choi Hae Sik, the older brother of the main character Choi Kang Ho, played by Lee Do Hyun.
Looking ahead, the actor is set to return in the upcoming film “No Way Out: The Roulette,” which is expected to hit screens in July, promising to attract significant attention due to its star-studded cast, including Yoo Jae Myung, Yeom Jung Ah, Kim Mu Yeol, Lee Kwang Soo, and other renowned South Korean actors.
