The Housemaid is a psychological thriller movie by Kim Ki-young, considered one of the finest classics of Hallyu cinema. The plot revolves around a piano teacher, Dong-sik Kim. He teaches at a textile factory where women work, and to earn extra money, he also gives private piano lessons. His pregnant wife works as a seamstress, and when she struggles with chores, Dong-sik looks for a live-in housemaid.
At the factory, many women harbor romantic feelings for him because of his upper-class lifestyle and good looks. Miss Cho, one of them, begins taking private lessons from him. Dong-sik asks Miss Cho if she knows any maids, and she recommends a young woman named Myung-sook, an aloof cleaner at the factory. At first, Myung-sook’s quiet and hardworking personality makes the Kims happy, but soon something feels off. The couple notices the maid’s strange behavior, like spying on them in their bedroom and teasing the kids, but they ignore it.
She later initiates an affair with Dong-sik, and he gives in to temptation. Mrs. Kim finds out about their affair, but remains silent to protect her family. When Myung-sook becomes pregnant, Mrs. Kim tells her to abort the child. At first, Myung-sook agrees, but after losing the baby, she becomes unstable and vengeful.
She begins behaving dangerously, manipulating everyone, threatening the children, and trying to gain control over the household and Dong-sik. He feels overwhelmed with guilt for not controlling his desires and realizes that his immorality has put his family in danger. Before dying, Dong-sik warns the audience that this could happen to anyone and ruin a family.
