If you are looking for a drama that showcases the BDSM lifestyle in a positive light, then skip “Tide of Love”!!

The show is currently in the second season and I still haven’t figured out why I’m watching it. This is one of those cringeworthy shows that instantly gets you hooked, despite the bad storytelling, editing and everything else. The show stars Jung Myeong Cheol & Kim Hyeon Seo in lead roles. If you are into short miniseries, then you might have noticed Jung Myeong Cheol in “Wrong Number”, “Connect”, “Love Reset” & “The First Page”. Kim Hyeon Seo recently starred in “Sweetheart Service”. They have a good track record. Shockingly this show doesn’t cater to their acting talents. The show has an irredeemable main lead. He is obsessive, insanely abusive, and you cannot justify his unruly behavior, despite the childhood trauma he faced. His actions are regrettable and you keep questioning his mental stability. More than that, you question his submissive’s emotional stability, who forgives him easily.

The Storyline & Chemistry-

Kim Hae Jun (Kim Hyeon Seo) is a bright art student burdened by life. His mother requires surgery, but he can’t afford the medical bills. Putting his pride aside to save his mother, he agrees to become an escort for a wealthy businessman, Han Jae Hun (Jung Myeong Cheol). Han Jae Hun is a reserved character with masochistic tendencies and heavily leans into the BDSM lifestyle. He lives in an isolated manor where he discreetly invites art students for meaningless sex. He craves dominance and control, expecting absolute submission from the escorts. On meeting Jae Hun, Jae Hun tests his boundaries. Pleased with the result, Jae Hun asks him to sign an exclusive contract which might get extended if Hae Jun performs well. What starts as a contractual agreement becomes more when Hae Jun naivete and his gentle nature win over Jae Hun’s overbearing attitude.

Jung Myeong Cheol & Kim Hyeon Seo have bearable chemistry. I’m not sure about what kind of directive they received. But Kim Hyeon Seo seems absolutely miserable whenever Myeong Cheol forcibly kisses him. Either he was told to act like he didn’t appreciate those kisses or he really doesn’t feel comfortable kissing Myeong Cheol. I’m guessing the second option might be the cause, because the show is in the second season and Hyeon Seo still seems uncomfortable in the NC scenes. Given the nature of the script, which heavily leans on their “Dominant-Submissive” relationship, there are no excuses. If you are comfortable acting in those scenes, then maybe you should skip acting in these kinds of shows. I wonder if the chemistry would have been better if Jung Myeong Cheol was paired opposite someone else!!

Final Impressions

The script and the editing are so bad, it is laughable and yet you are drawn to this show for some insane reason!!

I’m not sure why I sat through the ten episodes, which showcase absolute anarchy. You keep questioning Hae Jun’s sanity as he falls in love with Jae Hun. They don’t have a safe word. Jae Hun is so obsessive that he bans Hae Jun from interacting with his friends. He demands absolute submission and Hae Jun offers it without realizing the consequences. Their relationship is toxic, abusive and unhealthy. You feel sorry for Hae Jun and wish he would run away!

Rating- 2.5 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala