Therapy (2025) – Boldness and Controversy in Korean BL - Part 2

 📺 Episode 2 — "The Critical Moment"

The second episode begins much like the previous one: Jung Woo‑Gyo waits alone in the living room for the sex therapist, Hee‑soo. The patient’s tension and nervousness are palpable from the start. After Hee‑soo arrives, the two repeat the now-established “opening ritual” — a series of stretching exercises done in underwear, marking the beginning of each session.

Hee‑soo explains that the second session will focus on penetration, using different positions as a form of “bodily communication.” Jung Woo‑Gyo, who has never had sexual experiences with men, appears visibly uncomfortable, but there is no space for discussion of his boundaries or emotions.

The scene transitions to the bedroom, where the therapist, calm and almost mechanical, pulls the patient into the act, despite clear signs of insecurity. The sex takes place in a studio with a black backdrop, emphasizing various positions — some of which are incompatible with realistic male-male sex, prioritizing visual fetish over authenticity.

💥Positions  

🧠 Psychological Analysis:

💬 1. Sexual positions as communication

In sex therapy, positions alone do not communicate — what truly matters is the emotional intent, mutual respect, and consent between partners. Without open dialogue, using various positions becomes a mechanical performance, not a genuine form of intimacy.

According to therapists like Esther Perel, a healthy sexual relationship involves:

• Sensitive verbal and physical communication;
• Respect for the other’s pace and insecurities;
• Mutual exploration, not imposition.

🎭 2. The black backdrop: aesthetic or emotional detachment?

The switch to a studio with a black background carries strong psychological symbolism:

• 🕳️ Represents the unknown and lack of emotional safety;
• 🎭 Creates a pornographic theatrical atmosphere, detached from reality;
• 🧊 Reinforces isolation and emotional disconnect between the characters.

This stylistic choice removes emotional intimacy and emphasizes fetishization. By placing the characters in a stylized void and stripping away emotional context, the episode loses the opportunity to portray a first sexual experience as something genuine and vulnerable.