The Housemaid (1960)

Jin Kyu Kim: Dong-sik Kim

Photos 

Quotes 

• Dong-sik Kim : What does the law state about a man who cheats on his wife?

  Lyu : [laughs]  Sometimes he can get a lighter sentence than for a traffic violation. Once his wife forgives him, he's acquitted. Just as you wouldn't tell your son you're a murderer of a thief, even between couples some things should be kept secret.

• [first lines] 

  Dong-sik Kim : Look at this! A man from Gimcheon had an affair with his maid.

  Mrs. Kim : Men are such fools. Taking interest in a maid!

  Dong-sik Kim : I disagree. Look at us. We're almost totally dependent on our maid. She cooks and washes for us, and is the first person to greet me when I come home from work. She is entirely at our service.

  Mrs. Kim : Such thoughts should not be said or considered in our sacred home.

• Dong-sik Kim : Do you remember when you used to come to my room when I was a student?

  Mrs. Kim : Your eyes made me want to give you anything.

• Mrs. Kim : It'll get us a television.

  Dong-sik Kim : We don't need one. We can just go to the cinema.

  Mrs. Kim : When did you ever take me to the cinema? Since you never go out, our home must always be clean.

• Mrs. Kim : [Mr. Kim massaging his wife's leg]  I feel better now. Your arms must ache.

  Dong-sik Kim : Nothing compared to what women go through.

  Mrs. Kim : Now you know. Now do my shoulders.

• Myung-sook : Give me piano lessons and hold me like you held Miss Cho.

  Dong-sik Kim : You're out of your mind!

  Myung-sook : I don't want to be second to Miss Cho.

  [throws herself towards Mr. Kim] 

  Dong-sik Kim : Let go!

• Dong-sik Kim : Why should I take the blame if some crazy girl kills herself?

• Dong-sik Kim : Darling, will you always be there for me, whatever may happen?

  Mrs. Kim : Yes, my body and soul are yours.

• Mrs. Kim : I don't see how a man of good character could lose his head over a maid.

  Dong-sik Kim : It's man's greatest weakness. A high mountain challenges him to climb it. A deep lake prompts him to throw a rock into it. And a beautiful girl stirs his most primitive desires.

  Mrs. Kim : His most primitive desires? You could say that all men are just beasts.

• Doctor : You're the father, right? I can tell.

  Dong-sik Kim : Do I look like him?

  Doctor : No. He looks like you!