Netizens Share Surprising Praise For Netflix’s New Movie “Love and Leashes” And Its Fresh Approach To BDSM

“It’s more than just barking!”

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This article includes descriptions of graphic content that may disturb some readers.

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This article reveals plot details of a current movie or series.

It seems as if Netflix has recently moved away from the typical romantic K-Dramas that netizens have become accustomed to. Last year, many watched JTBC‘s Nevertheless, adapted from a Naver Webtoon of the same name, starring Han So Hee and Song Kang, and it gained mixed reactions due to episodes rated 19+.

Even with this move, netizens couldn’t believe it when Netflix announced their upcoming Korean movie Love and Leashes in January, starring Girls’ Generation‘s Seohyun and U-KISS‘s Jun.

U-KISS’s Jun (left) and Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun (right) | Netflix

From the moment the trailer was released, netizens couldn’t get over the concept that was based on the idea of BDSM, which stands for “bondage and discipline,” “dominance and submission,” and “sadism and masochism.”

This seemed pretty clear from the images and trailer, as the trailer comedically depicts the female lead, Ji Woo, “dominating” the male lead, Ji Hoo, by tying him up with a purple ribbon.

| The Swoon/ YouTube
| The Swoon/ YouTube 

The film recently came out on Netflix and, following the success of shows like Single’s Inferno, All of Us Are Dead, and Squid Game have already gained attention worldwide. 

Many have shared their concerns about the film and its “childlike representation” of BDSM, mainly because of the viral clip of lead actor Jun barking like a dog…

Love And Leashes has actually gained more love and respect from viewers, particularly females, in the representation of sex and the idea of consent.

For many, these sorts of films can degrade those involved. It also sometimes blurs the lines between what is deemed “right” and “wrong.” Yet, it couldn’t be more different for viewers in this movie. From the very beginning, netizens praised the film as “Where kink and consent meet.”

From the very beginning, it shows the relationship between Ji Woo and Ji Hoo as something between two consensual adults, with Ji Hoo even asking whether Ji Woo can be his “Master.”

| The Swoon/ YouTube 

In particular, one scene shows Ji Woo calling out a man who assumes that because of her preferences when it comes to sex, he can cross the boundaries and do “whatever he wants with her.”

Just because I am a pervert doesn’t give you the right to mistreat me.

— Ji Woo

| Netflix

It touches upon topics that are usually deemed “taboo” in Korean culture and also changes the discourse by making the relationship “dominated” by the female. Yet, it also speaks about the hardships women have at work, discussing harassment, misogyny, and even homophobia.

| Netflix
| Netflix

For many viewers, it perfectly balances each topic to create a film centered around sex and preferences, but also the wider topics and stereotypes that come with it, including being judged by those around you for straying from the norms.

| Netflix
| Netflix

When the film was released, social media was flooded with comments about the show. In fact, within the first 48 hours, #LoveAndLeashes was trending in multiple countries, and the cast saw their Instagram following increase rapidly.

Viewers shared that despite being a BDSM on the outside, it’s more important than that, focusing on the idea that everyone has a right to their own preferences and that everyone has boundaries that should be respected.

Considering how traditional Korean society can be, it is refreshing for many netizens to see a film speaking about “taboo” topics. It has also opened a much bigger conversation on the topic that needs to be addressed!

You can read more about the show below.

Netflix Releases Teaser For BDSM-Centric Korean Film “Love And Leashes,” And Netizens Are Shook

NSFW Moments