1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, Sook-hee is hired as a handmaiden to Japanese heiress Hideko, who lives a secluded life on an estate with her domineering Uncle Kouzuki. But the maid has a secret. She and a swindler, who poses as a Japanese Count, are scheming to get the Lady engaged, rob her fortune and lock her up in a madhouse. All proceeds according to plan until Sook-hee starts to truly understand Hideko.