BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism. It encompasses various consensual adult activities involving power exchange, role-playing, and intense sensations.
In adult content, BDSM themes can be portrayed in both softcore and hardcore contexts. The explicitness varies, ranging from implied scenes to more graphic depictions, depending on the specific portrayal in literature, films, or adult entertainment.
The categorization of BDSM as "hardcore" is subjective. "Hardcore" in adult entertainment usually implies explicit and intense depictions of sexual acts. Whether BDSM is considered hardcore depends on the level of explicitness in a particular portrayal.
Discussions about BDSM should emphasize consent, communication, and the well-being of all parties involved, regardless of the explicitness of the portrayal.