The Handmaiden: Patriarchy, Passion and Octopus

<p>Park Chan-Wook’s (Oldboy) “The Handmaiden” is a love story, thriller and subversive Gothic film set in Japanese-occupied Korea (and Japan itself) in the 1930s. It is by turns beautiful, bestial, occasionally brutal. The story centers around a plucky pickpocket ( Kim Tae-ri), who gets a job as a handmaiden at the estate of a rich and eccentric book collector (Lee Yong-nyeo), serving him and Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), the niece of his late wife. There's also a scheme devised by a poor Korean fisherman who presents as a fake Japanese count and desires to marry the heiress before committing her to an asylum to claim her fortune. We don't want to give much away in this non-linear film but urge you to give it a try (note it's NSFW)...you'll never look at mannequins, thimbles, silver bells, or octopus the same way again.</p><p>Intrigued? Good. You should be. </p><p><a href="https://www.afternoonadelight.com/newsletter"><strong>Afternoona Delight Newsletter!</strong></a><br>Want longer reviews? Our thoughts on Kim Woo Bin's hair in a 500-word essay? This is the place to get it. Sign up <a href="https://www.afternoonadelight.com/newsletter"><strong>HERE</strong></a>!</p><p>Ready to download your first audiobook? Don't forget to click here for your free Audible trial: <a href="http://www.audibletrial.com/afternoona">http://www.audibletrial.com/afternoona</a><br>*Audible is a sponsor of Afternoona Delight Podcast*</p><p><br>Are your family and friends sick of you talking about K-drama? We get it...and have an answer. Join our AfterNoona Delight Patreon and find community among folks who get your obsession. And check out <a href="http://www.afternoonadelight.com/">www.afternoonadelight.com</a> for more episodes, book recs and social media goodness.</p><p>Love BTS? Or curious what all the fuss is about? Check out our sister pod <a href="https://www.afternoonaarmy.com/">Afternoona Army </a>for "thinky, thirsty and over thirty" takes on Bangtan life.</p><p><strong>Show Notes:<br></strong><a href="https://www.youtube