Netflix may have only released Love and Leashes, but it is already gaining everyone’s attention. Aside from featuring two of South Korea’s hottest stars, Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun and U-KISS’s Lee Jun Young, it also tells a different kind of love story that involves BDSM.
Yup, you’ve read that right; the movie features erotic practices—far different from the usual K-films viewers usually see. But despite the rare theme Love and Leashes has, fans are now praising it for showing the importance of consent in a relationship, especially when it comes to sex.
Fans Reaction to Love and Leashes
K-drama fans, particularly women, are starting to love this new Netflix movie for its representation of sex and consent, Koreaboo noted. Though these topics are often taboo, the show has changed the tide of the game when it comes to relationships dominated by women.
Some netizens even described it as “where kick and consent meet.” Everything about Ji Woo (Seohyun) and Ji Hoo’s (Lee Jun Young) relationship is consensual.
Jin Hoo even asks Ji Woo if she can be his “master.” She also clarifies that he can’t do “whatever he wants with her” just because of her preferences regarding sex.
“Just because I am a pervert doesn’t give you the right to mistreat me,” she said.
Though she has been open in their sexual romance, Ji Hoo can never cross the boundaries.
However, this is not the only theme Love and Leashes has. It also explores other areas that women often face, like issues at work, harassment, misogyny and homophobia.
Viewers also commend it for perfectly exploring each topic. It doesn’t only center on sex. It also tackles wider issues and stereotypes that come with its theme.
No wonder the movie is now trending in multiple countries, while its cast members are now gaining more Instagram followers.
By the looks of it, the film shows it’s okay to stay out from the norm and women have their own preferences and still be respected.
The Different Theme of Love and Leashes
Meanwhile, as many were surprised about Love and Leashes’ theme, some wondered how Lee Jun Young and Seohyun did it effortlessly.
“Our synergy was better when we acted because he analyzed Ji Hoo and expressed him in a way that brought him to life,” the U-KISS member said, via Soompi. “Thanks to her guidance, I had fun filming, and I learned a lot through the experience.”
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Netflix also revealed its reason for exploring BDSM in a Korean movie and plans to expand its production genre in Korea.
"This year we are aiming to showcase contents in a variety of genres that would make viewers say 'Netflix makes this too?'” Kang Dong Han, Netflix Korea's vice president, explained, viaAllKpop. “We are working with Korean creators to produce original movies, starting off with Love and Leashes."
Love and Leashes is now available on Netflix.
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