Love And Leashes Review:
This light rom-com is a cursory guide to BDSM sexual practice
Abhishek Srivastava, TNN,
Story: ‘Love and Leashes’ is about a romance between two people of different personalities. When the sexual fantasy of one of them is revealed, the two enter into a contract to fulfil their sexual fetishes without getting physical.
Review: ‘Love and Leashes’ is another attempt by a streaming major to woo audiences through Korean content. Sadly, this time the effort pays off only partially. Full marks to Love and Leashes for putting a taboo subject under the spotlight and talking about sexual freedom and acceptance. But the treatment, for the most part, is boring and drab and by the time it shows sparks, it's already late and your interest is completely over. Nevertheless, it deserves recognition for tackling a subject that people are not very vocal about in a frothy and light manner.
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This romantic comedy revolves around two office colleagues incidentally sharing the same name – Jung Ji Hoo and Jung Ji Woo. Jung Ji Hoo joins an online educational firm as its PR manager where his co-worker Jung Ji Woo reports to him. When Woo accidentally opens a package meant for the other Hoo, secrets come tumbling out. The products in the box reveal the PR manager’s sexual fetishes and his attraction towards BDSM (sexual aspects that include dominance, submission and masochism). Attraction as opposed to love bites both of them and then enter into a pact that they will start a romance where the lady will be his master and together will explore their sexual fetishes without being physical. The story takes a turn when the PR manager says no to a date offer.
‘Love and Leashes’ touches a subject that is prevalent in western countries but out here is a relatively new concept. With the world shrinking in, murmurs about BDSM have started but no one openly talks here about a taboo subject like BDSM. It’s important for viewers to have a certain connection with the theme of the film, and based solely on this Love and Leashes may not have many takers. But that apart it’s a film that only scratches the surface of an issue that the world knows about but is not discussed often.
This rom-com is based on a hit Korean webtoon and features Seo Hyun and Lee Jun Young in lead roles. Seo Hyun is a star from the popular K-Pop girl band Girl’s Generation while Lee Jun Young is a member of the U-Kiss group. Both the actors have delivered a sincere performance and it’s only the direction that has let them down. Hoo’s vulnerability and his submissiveness have been captured well and full marks to the writer for not making him a coy character. He is someone who has been portrayed as fully in control of his sexuality. Seo Hyun in the role of Woo packs in a punch and does a great job of someone who is inexperienced in matters of BDSM but goes at length to know more about it.
The film also demystifies many myths associated with the dominance and submission factors of BDSM. In the end, it remains a film about sexual preferences and sexual freedom. Though this film is not riveting compared to the recent K dramas that have come from Korea, it deserves a dekko on the sheer power of its subject.