There are moments in life where you may be going through something tough or draining. It’s hard to escape it, or feel like there is any way out of your mind. However just like how diamonds are formed, it’s within those especially consuming moments we are able to find something great to hold onto.

I’ve experienced it a few times now, where a particular book I’ve picked up has been what I needed to help me grieve. Where I’ve met someone at a point in time that’s helped me see things in a new light. Where I felt particularly depressed and like there was no escape from my tears, but a movie came along to bring me an escape I needed.

Romance is a genre that’s always made me feel good. It’s a genre that not only focuses on ending with a happy ever after, but focuses on character personal journey’s that most times if not, can help you feel seen.

Love and Leashes was my first welcome into the Korean Film & TV Industry. The movie in particular brought me escapism, which was what I needed to help me out of the difficult headspace I was in at the time.

There’s much to love about Love and Leashes, and I want to share my thoughts on it without spoiling. The plot of Love and Leashes is a parcel mix-up occurs when two work colleagues have similar names. Ji-hoo’s colleague Ji-woo opens his package finding a leash before he can stop her, she doesn’t eat into his lies and instead her curiosity peaks pushing them into the the start of something new for the both of them.

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BDSM relationships are one’s I’ve always admired as they take a lot of trust, communication and honesty to work. If you are not on the exact same lines it can’t succeed. With my reading history, there’s only two romance authors I’ve read that show the scene in the correct light. These authors are Jade West and Tiffany Reisz, if you want to check them out!!

It was a joy to watch a movie that not only educated it’s audience on the way Dominant and Submissive relationships work but also did it in a non sexual light. It’s important to show that BDSM is different from romantic relationships. On top of this, the movie breaks the norm, where we see a Male Sub and Female Dom. It’s not something I’ve seen before on screen and once again, it breaks stereotypical norms with showing different facets of the scene.

Not only does BDSM play a huge part in the story but within Love and Leashes they show alternative perspectives into how judgement on personal preferences and sexual harassment occurs towards women in the work place. It’s a modern movie tearing down the blinders to show audiences exactly how real life is out here and why so many keep a tight lid on their personal lives.

Despite the strong topics within the movie, the best part of it was the casting, chemistry and humour! Love and Leashes wouldn’t be a film I wanted to instantly re-watch if it didn’t have those qualities.

Seohyun and Lee Jun-young are a match made in heaven to watch on screen. Jun-young said he watched a love of Golden Retriever videos to prepare for his roles and let me say, he mastered it. I wanted to just cuddle him up and protect him for any harm. Thankfully Seohyun’s character Ji-woo was there to do just that. She mastered the role of Dom with playing the part to understand and take caution to their new relationship.

Additionally, we see the steps taken to build their relationship, as they’re both new it. I loved that we didn’t jump in the deep end as it’s not true. Instead we get simple scenes with high heels, leashes before moving towards candles and floggers…I won’t spill too much but just know those scenes were shot beautifully.

Speaking of which, other than the casting and chemistry, kudos needs to be provided to the director and cinematography. I don’t know what I expected from Korean’s film industry but it wasn’t for it to be better than Hollywood. With all sincerity, Hollywood movies are made brilliantly, but there’s a difference between showing the audience what they need to see and making them feel the scenes.

Love and Leashes’ cherry on the top was the visuals, we not only got to feel Ji-woo’s nervous excitement for discovering what a Dom-Sub relationship is; but we got to feel Ji-hoo inexplainable pleasure at receiving all he’s ever dreamed. Further than this, it was done without explicitness and dignity. The audience grapples to root for the duo and that’s why we feel so much more seeing the relationship bloom from BDSM to possibly including a romantic one too.

Overall, Love and Leashes isn’t an easy movie to have been made. It’s a unique subject that needs to be dealt with caution. Love and Leashes, in my opinion did everything Fifty Shades did not. The book Fifty Shades in particular wasn’t well written or careful in it’s view of BDSM, so it’s o surprise the movie wasn’t as cautious. However, Love and Leashes – this is the THE MOVIE! It’s careful, educative, focused, excitable, romantic, thrilling and humorous when needed.

Love and Leashes is a movie that will leave you with a smile on your face long after THE END. It will have you wishing for more than the two hours but still satisfied enough to be grateful you experienced it. It’s an exceptional watch, and one that made me think and feel joy again during a time I felt exceptionally low, and for that reason I can never thank it enough.

Subtitles Available in English, Korean, Arabic, French and Polish. Similar languages in dubbing, but best experience is watched in Korean and subtitles for your primary language.