Female doms just..wow, really made me discover a whole new side to myself and it made me realise what i like!
Im not gonna go in full detail about that lol, but this movie is pretty educational and I really recommend it !!
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This review may contain spoilers
Safe, Sane and Consensual. Thank you dramaland!
So, I must admit that I was super duper nervous that the concept of consent would be glossed over or simply ignored in this movie. BUT! My! What a pleasant surprise it was to see a movie where they actually followed healthy BDSM etiquettes (safe, sane and consensual).It was a ride to watch this movie and every time a new play scene would be shown, I could hear all those conservative walls shattering over the world. Love and Leashes will hopefully open doors for more movies that explore BDSM. Unfortunately people are familiar only with 50 shades and that is just a red flag and a map on what NOT to do in bdsm. But in this movie we get a new perspective and I was so surprised to see some topics touched upon that made me think deeply like how people of the BDSM community react when their partners reject who they are. How their mental health is impacted and how they become vary of future relationships.
It was also scary to see how 'fakes' tried to use the safe environment of BDSM to rape women and was another insight to what the play is absolutely NOT about. Too many people consider BDSM to be something perverted, but it's just adult play. In fact it has more consent involved than your average tv shows where we see sexual violence normalized and romantisised.
In love and leashes, instead we see two grown adult, financially independent and emotionally stable, engage in activities that make them both happy. The submissive male maintains his consent and says no clearly when he doesn't want to date. The dom.... aahhh watching the female lead was an experience that made me ecstatic! What acting! Her steady gaze made me shiver! We see her do her research and acts as a very responsible dom. In the last play before their contract expires, she stops the play when she realises that it's not something she's able to carry out and that was such a beautiful moment of vulnerability to be shown from a dominant. Because at the end of the day, aren't they also humans? Behind the control, behind the steady gaze, there is a person who is also effected by emotions.
At the end, all I can say is that this movie was sweet, sensual, funny, crazy and overall a great watch! Watching the female lead find her inner dom (who was just lingering behind that steady gaze, waiting to pounce out) and watching the male lead heal from his past and learning so much about BDSM in general.. well now you know which movie to recommend to people if they are curious or want to watch something different and yet romantic at the same time.
PS The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the dog cafe since these places use breed dogs who come from breeders. And the very act of breeding any animal is r*pe since an animal isn't capable of consenting to humans. I know it looks very beautiful on the outside, but for every pup we see, a mother is locked inside a breeding facility where she is just used as a baby machine. Consent after all is not just for humans and while rape happens in the wild, humans know it's wrong, so we must not do it to anyone else.
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At the first meeting, there is no mistaking the immediate chemistry between our leads, Jung Ji Woo and Jung Ji Hoo. Jung Ji Woo (the FL) even openly states to her colleague that she's interested in him. The dynamic at work puts Jung Ji Hoo in a position of power, while Ji Woo; despite being spirited and outspoken, is at an obvious disadvantage with her misogynistic employer. Ji Hoo is sensitive, attentive to his colleagues, and refreshingly contemporary in his advocacy and awareness toward women's rights. These traits are all evident toward Ji Woo and her colleagues and it catches them by surprise.
The plot moves quickly and is a lot of fun, albeit a little cringe (not in a bad way!) sometimes. It's obvious to the viewer that the dynamic of power currently set is not what either lead wants for themselves, and I was d y i n g of 2nd-hand embarrassment for Ji Hoo when *that* was found and during their initial "discovery" phase of each other. I'd personally blush to death if someone as cute as Ji Hoo bought something like that, and I'd probably spend way too much time imagining him wearing it. I love that our cinnamon roll (I'm calling him that now), is involved in a healthy BDSM online community as well. He's just...so endearing and adorable. I especially love the disparity between how much he wants to be dominated and bossed around, and how much he's doted on and admired at work by his boss and colleagues; he just wants someone to step on him and make him beg, not get doe-eyed and fawn over him and tell him "well done."
I think it's so cute that Ji-Woo takes her role seriously, and puts a lot of thought and study into it.
Their sessions together are instantly a sensual experience, even when it begins on an awkward note. I can't help but blush and pause/start scenes a few times so I can get through them, despite not being a vanilla person myself. These experiences they have together provide a cathartic (and sensual) experience for them both, as they both fantasize and even heal with each experience. As time passes, these experiences begin to shift in meaning for them both.
TLDR: I LOVED this movie. It's so out of the left field for Korean entertainment (at least, from what I've seen released recently), and it's a refreshing (and sexy as heck) love story that I had a lot of fun watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
This movie was so lighthearted and cute, especially for the subject matter. The main plot happens pretty fast and jumps right to the point, but I liked that about the story. It gave more of a look into their DS relationship rather than the beginning and start of it. The movie does a really great job of being educational and realistic rather than intense and exaggerated like 50 shades.
Ji Woo as a character is so strong and confident. I loved watching her come into her own personality within their relationship and I also loved to watch her slowly fall for Ji Hoo. Her researching and trying to be a good master was so sweet and showed just how much she actually cared about their relationship, DS relationship and Ji Hoo in general.
Ji Hoo's character and backstory is so interesting, yet heartbreaking. I couldn't imagine being in a long-term relationship where you think it's safe to open up and instead are met with nothing but intense hate. Him falling for Ji Woo and wanting to date her, but having the fear of rejection because of his ex was so sad; Her visiting and throwing all the food he made on the ground for his and Ji Woo's date was bullshit too. He was nothing but sweet and caring, he definitely deserves someone like Ji Woo.
I'm really glad this movie ended on a happy ending as well, seeing them get together was so exciting and I loved their chemistry from the beginning.
I will say this movie is not as spicy as I thought it was going to be and it really added an extra factor into it. I felt it made it more about the DS relationship and the care for each other within that relationship. It was never too intense or awkward and was really beautiful and intimate with some of the scenes they did. Would highly recommend!
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WOW What A Topic !!!!!
Let just start with the subject of the movie was very surprising but the story was great. The 2 main leads are great the way they meet and start agreeing on helping each other, if you want to call it that. I did like how they were supported with each other and share there feelings. I love the leading female character was strong and took charge and that she was the master dominating him. The chemistry was magnificent. Is a subject not to many talk about but you know is happening. The editing and direction was great. The actors performance was a 10. It kept you smiling and a little giggles and embarrass in front of male friends. Love it.Was this review helpful to you?
It's not all about horniness, it's mostly about the stigma
I was.... stunned. I've heard a lot of people talk about this movie, and the fact that it's a bit more intense than what you expect of a Korean movie. Even then, I didn't expect anything of this sort. Ofc it's still toned down a little, but it remains true to it's purpose and message.Even if you aren't into BDSM, or anything of the sort, you still manage to keep some form of understanding for this movie. You even learn about the different dynamics, and what it's all about.
My favorite thing about the movie is the fact that it's not all about being horny, but mostly the social stigma around BDSM, especially when it's a woman dominating a man, and also the issues of some people with "fake" BDSM.
The directors and producers really managed to shed a good light on the community, even if I myself can't really say much about the representation, as I'm not personally a part of that community. It created understanding without dehumanizing those who are into BDSM.
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Fun, refreshing and satisfying
I love that in 2022 we can finally see stories like this! Under-represented themes that aren't bogged down by being too deep and heavy. This film managed to balance showing the healing and freedom that comes from self-acceptance & embracing difference in a way that remained fun, sensual and heartwarming.This was 100% your classic, heart-fluttering romantic comedy with great chemistry between the leads, but it felt especially refreshing and satisfying in the way it shone a light on how much fetish & kink culture can teach about consent & power dynamics in healthy relationships.
Plus, I loved that rather than making fetish & kink the butt of a joke like we usually see, the film manages to avoid stereotypes and find the humor and comedy in a way that feels modern and well, about time already! It was tasteful and genuinely funny.
The soundtrack fitted well; low-key, not cheesy or distracting. The writing, visuals and acting were all on point. The actors and director really did such a good job of making every scene and bit of dialogue enjoyable or meaningful to the story without it dragging at any point.
I'm sure some people are going to worry about too explicit scenes but there really aren't any.
If you like fun, light-hearted romance and comedy then I really recommend this film.
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They did not tiptoe around the theme of bdsm
It deviates from the usual kdrama tropes and I love it for that.I love that it explored the issues of sexual assault, gender inequality and discrimination whilst also making it not seem too forced and commercial.
I also love that it explored the bdsm world in a more open and honest manner. Most kdramas tend to shy away from sex and taboo topics so I found it really refreshing to see one that didn’t treat it as a weird perversion but rather just something normal that shouldn’t affect or involve anyone else and that a woman being into things sexually is nothing for men to fetishise or pry into as it has nothing to do with those who are not involved.
I think that the acting was done very well and the visual effect were exemplary. The music wasn’t really memorable as I got too invested in the story but I don’t think that it was bad.
Overall, I think this is worth the watch although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I don’t think it requires the adult rating that it has if you are thinking of western standards.
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This film is a boon
The film is light and entertaining. It helps you explore the various themes with consideration.All things that I am sure others have also written in their reviews and which I will not repeat here. However, I would like to dwell on Hye Mi and her date gone wrong.
A lot of men on dating apps portray themselves as a dominant, when they don't understand what that means. What it usually means is that they want to do you like they don't care about you and they probably want to hurt you, because they are working out some repressed rage. But being a Dom is mostly about leadership, guidance and LEARNING... helping someone to get to where they want to go whether it's physical or mental.
And so the type of people that you see out on the dating apps or an FL that claim to be a Dom but are inexperienced at it, it's generally easy to identify them very early on. Are some better than others at hiding? Sure but this is why we vet.
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that's crazy
they cookedwatching this with my bf made me think abt some things! like... why is the hotel dog scene there. why does this man... do the things he does.. i fw the girl though. but.. bro.. in the park? in the restaurant? i get the comedy of it though i.. could not stop laughing.. anyway quite amusing yes
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Muito divertido
Eu esperava uma coisa mais explícita, confesso. Mas isso não fez o filme perder seu valor. Gostei muito de como retratou tudo com muito cuidado, e como não ficou focado apenas no explícito, gostei da química dos protagonistas, da atuação deles, da fotografia do filme e até saí obcecada pelo ator principal hahah. É um filme divertido, e que pode fazer vc sentir vergonha em algumas cenas, mas vale a pena assistir. Talvez você queira até reassistir várias vezes ((((((como eu fiz. Só não aconselho assistir com a família kkkkklkkWas this review helpful to you?
WAAAAAAA
So basicaly i don't know how and why but i loved this movie. I got into it faster than i though and i was excited whule watching this movie. The romance here was amazing, when it comes to the comedy it was awesome. I loved how it ended and how they explained everything in the end (all those mysteries). And since i like hot or spicy scenes it made me even happier. But why i gave the rewatch value only 9.5, that is because i don't think that it had to be 2 hours long to feel completed. But aside from that i watched this movie because of the gender and synopsis and like days after deciting what to watch i found out about the ML actor who i knew from Class of Lies. If you read this have a good day :)Was this review helpful to you?
