'Love and Leashes' Ending Explained: Ji-hoo finally finds love and acceptance with Ji-woo
'Love and Leashes' is certainly a breath of fresh air -- the movie explores themes of sexual freedom, acceptance and consent, all roled into one. As per the synopsis of the movie -- "Do you think there's a relationship that's perfectly equal? A relationship always somehow tilts to one side. This love story is about Jung Ji-woo (Seo hyun), a woman who wasn't aware of oneself having a stronger instinctive control over others, and Jung Ji-hoo (Lee Jun-young), a man who has a strong tendency to obey others, become to date beyond their special plays.
Aren't they perverts? Well, isn't human-being a perv to some extent? Even in your heart right now, don't you have an instinct that you can't tell anyone?"
Are you looking for other Korean titles to check out on Netflix? You might want to consider -- 'Made for each other', 'Lovestruck in the City' and 'Mine'.
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For Jung Ji-woo, work-life isn't easy. She is stuck under a sexist boss and often comes across as shrewd, even though she's just an honest and practical person. When Jung Ji-hoo joins her department as an assistant manager, she finds him attractive but refuses to fawn over him. However, the similarity in their name causes a massive mix up when Ji-woo ends up with a package for Ji-hoo. She opens it and finds a leather collar from a sex shop. Ji-hoo is instantly embarrassed and afraid that his secret is now out, but Ji-woo stays quiet about it, stating that it is none of her business what he does in his personal life.
Ji-hoo, who has long sought a sub and dom partnership, realizes that Ji-woo might be the right master for him, as she is non-judgemental and assertive. Although she turns him down initially, her curiosity gets the better of her, and she decides to see what it is all about—the two strike up a three-month contract, complete with rules and a safe word. However, Ji-hoo agrees not to touch her and takes sex off the table.
Ji-woo understands that dom and sub relationships are different from sexual ones and soon enters the role of Ji-hoo's master. They maintain their lives as co-workers while being in a dom and sub partnership that explores sensual sensory play.
While Ji-woo begins to develop sexual interest and feelings for Ji-hoo, she respects the contract and refrains from engaging in the same. Meanwhile, Ji-hoo starts to develop feelings, too, in the form of jealousy, when Ji-woo is tasked with training a new recruit, Han. Acting out in insubordination one evening, the two engage in dom and sub play in the office after hours but manage to sneak out without getting caught.
While their partnership grows in trust, Ji-hoo is seen dealing with his ex, Hana, who constantly shames him for his kinks but refuses to leave his life. Hana has Ji-hoo believing that he is a sexual deviant and does not deserve love, causing him to be wary of getting into an emotional relationship. At the same time, Ji-woo's friend, Hye-mi, is also exploring dom and sub play and ends up in a dangerous situation, where she is nearly raped because her date assumes her interest in dom/sub play is her consent. Hyemi fights him off, reinforcing that her interest in sensual activities is not consent.
While Ji-woo and Ji-hoo come to her rescue, they are dealing with the aftermath of their feelings, as Ji-woo confesses to Ji-hoo, only to get shot down by him. She takes it with grace, admitting that just because he's submissive doesn't mean he would say yes to everything she wanted. However, during their final play at the end of her contract, she cannot see her role through, as her feelings are now overwhelming. Ji-hoo, who was criticized by Hana moments before his final play, admits to Ji-woo that he always fears getting too close to the sun and getting burned, and for him, she shines so brightly.
As if dealing with an emotional situation wasn't enough, Han releases audio of the two of them engaging in dom and sub play in the office, seeing that he left a pen recorder. Naturally, it causes controversy and the two of them are interrogated by a disciplinary committee. While Ji-woo defends herself from the sexism she's facing, Ji-hoo stands up for his kinks and finally confesses to Ji-woo, stating that he wants to be with her. They are now both in a consensual relationship, so they are given a brief suspension but allowed to keep their jobs. Ji-woo even releases an audio incriminating of Hwang to ease the blow on them. The movie ends with Ji-woo and Ji-hoo finally dating, with her reassuring him that he can be himself with her without any free of judgement.
'Love and Leashes' is now streaming on Netflix.
