[Photo by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@]
The popularity of "The Handmaiden" starring actress Kim Min-hee has been rising, attracting more viewers after a sex scandal involving the actress and Cannes award-winning director Hong Sang-soo surfaced this week.
Kim starred as Japanese heiress Hideko in the movie directed by Park Chan-wook known for his harrowing film Oldboy. The film jumped from the third place to the second in the domestic box-office.
Hong, known for budget arthouse films such as Cannes winner "Hahaha" (2010), met with Kim when she was playing the lead role in "Right Now, Wrong Then" which won the top prize at Locarno International Film Festival last year, according to media reports.
Hong, who married his wife in 1985, reportedly moved out of his home last September amid rumors of a suspected affair with Kim, 34. Both are now abroad.
In "The Handmaiden" directed by Park Chan-wook known for his harrowing film Oldboy, Kim starred as Japanese heiress Hideko.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
