South Korea, once globally recognized for its cultural exports such as K-pop, is now at the forefront of an influential feminist movement: the 4B movement. The 4Bs stand for Bihon (no marriage), Bichulsan (no childbirth), Biyonae (no dating), and Bisekseu (no heterosexual sex), its influence expands far beyond South Korea. Its popularity depicts a sad portrait of our societies in which women are choosing to reject men completely instead of being able to have fulfilling relationships.
First emerging around 2015, the 4B movement has gained renewed momentum in the United States. With Donald Trump’s reelection, many American women are now declaring their interest in the movement. The gender gap in politics is widening, with men and women increasingly divided on critical issues. Women tend to support equality policies and more liberal ideas, while men, especially young men, lean more toward conservative views. Trump, who was found liable for sexual assault during his trial, has been at the center of a series of controversies related to his treatment of women. Trump’s controversial actions have fueled women’s rejection of men who support him. His infamous « grab them by the… » comment and his statement, « We’re gonna protect women whether they want it or not, » have sparked outrage. Adding to this, his nomination of JD Vance, known for disparaging “childless cat ladies,” has further alienated many women. A viral social media post summed up the sentiment: “The US has a sexual abuser as President before a female president.”.
What is the 4B movement?
The 4B movement emerged in South Korea in response to deeply ingrained gender inequality within the country, and it consistently ranks among the lowest in the OECD for gender equality. The gender pay gap is the highest among OECD countries, with women earning nearly one-third less than men. In addition to the wage disparity, South Korean women are victims of mass sexual harassment, non-consensual pornography, domestic violence, and face immense difficulty when trying to file complaints.
This is not an isolated phenomenon either: a UN Women study in the UK found that 97% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment. This statistic highlights the extent of the problem. South Korean society remains largely indifferent to these complaints, and many women feel abandoned by a judicial system slow to act in the face of widespread harassment and abuse. In South Korea, a particularly shocking incident occurred in 2016 in which a man stabbed a woman to death in a public restroom because he “felt ignored by women”. This further intensified awareness around women’s issues. This event, combined with the daily pressures women face, has driven many to the 4B movement as a form of resistance. This is not merely a rejection of societal expectations but a quest for bodily autonomy and personal freedom.
Rejection of Societal Expectations and Challenging Patriarchal Norms
The 4B movement vehemently rejects the traditional roles assigned to women. Activists adopt bold changes, such as cutting their hair short, avoiding makeup, or dressing in ways that defy South Korea’s strict beauty standards. By refusing marriage, childbirth, and heterosexual relationships, 4B activists assert their autonomy and their right to live free from patriarchal pressures. As an online movement, 4B thrives in social media spaces, where activists share experiences, support one another, and denounce the injustices they face in a society that often misunderstands or rejects their choices.
South Korean men are often reluctant to date “feminists,” viewing the term as a sign of rejecting traditional gender norms. This phenomenon demonstrates how feminism remains misunderstood and stigmatized, especially among the younger generation. This rejection of feminism by many South Korean men only adds to the injustice felt by women.
Political and Public Reactions
The 4B movement has sparked a strong backlash from conservative groups and young men in South Korea. According to a 2018 study by the Korean Women’s Development Institute, one in two men in their twenties identifies as anti-feminist. The movement has even influenced politics, with President Yoon campaigning on dismantling the influence of so-called “radical” feminists, proposed abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, arguing that South Korean society had tilted “too far” in favor of feminists, labor unions, and other “special interest groups”. His campaign appealed to conservative voters and resonated with younger men frustrated by what they perceive as an overemphasis on women’s rights.
Rejection of feminism also manifests online, where women expressing feminist views face relentless harassment. Cho Jang-mi, a popular live streamer known as Jammi, recently took her life after enduring a sustained online attack, particularly for using a pinching hand gesture that said mocked male anatomy. This tragedy highlights the extreme hostility faced by women who identify as feminists. Even prominent public figures are not immune: former K-pop idol Jun Hyo-seong was criticized by male fans for collaborating with the Ministry of Gender Equality to raise awareness about dating violence, with fans accusing her of betraying them by aligning with feminist causes.
Offline, anti-feminist groups like “New Man On Solidarity” have held street protests to denounce feminism and demand the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality. The ILBE community is known as an online, far-right, anti-feminist group in South Korea, famous for its extreme views and hostile rhetoric toward women, feminism, and progressive social movements. This community has been involved in various controversial actions, including organizing online harassment campaigns against women, particularly feminists, and spreading misogynistic content. They have targeted female public figures and activists with hate speech and threats.
In 2024, South Korea made a significant step by officially recognizing misogyny as motive for hate crime in a court ruling, underscoring the gravity of the issue and the country’s willingness to act against this pervasive problem.
Critics and Supporters Debate the Movement’s Effectiveness
The radical stance of the 4B movement, especially its “sex strike” philosophy, has sparked debate about its effectiveness. Some critics argue that by refusing relationships with men, the movement risks alienating potential allies and stalling progress on gender equality. The New York Times reported that women wield substantial economic power globally, controlling the majority of consumer spending. Critics suggest that this economic influence, rather than rejecting relationships with men, could offer women greater leverage.
South Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world and critics are accusing participants of aggravating the issue. Meanwhile, the South Korean government’s efforts to increase the birthrate have faced backlash. In 2016, the government launched a “pink birth map” showing the number of women of reproductive age in each district, which sparked outrage. Many women felt that the government was reducing them to reproductive tools. Activists proclaimed, “My womb is not national property”. Some would argue that empowering women, supporting them in the workforce and preventing penalization at work because of motherhood would be more effective for raising birthrates than reinforcing traditional gender roles.
The Impact and Growing Reach of 4B
Despite the resistance, the influence of the 4B movement stretches far beyond South Korea, sparking crucial discussions about gender, autonomy, and the consequences of maintaining the patriarchy. Critics argue that the movement’s rejection of traditional roles could deepen gender divides, while supporters view it as a necessary response to systemic inequality. For many women, the 4B movement is a bold assertion of their right to exist as individuals, free from the confines of traditional expectations as wives, mothers, or objects of sexual desire. In a society where feminism remains controversial, 4B serves as a defiant challenge, urging South Korea and the world to confront uncomfortable truths about gender equality and the future of feminism.
As 4B ideas gain traction, the movement fundamentally questions the notion that women’s worth is determined by their ability to support men and maintain the family unit. By reclaiming their autonomy, 4B activists insist that women deserve the freedom to define their lives on their own terms. This movement leaves society with a critical choice: hold onto traditional gender roles or imagine a world where women are recognized as autonomous individuals.
The emphasis of the 4B movement on autonomy and defiance of patriarchal expectations draws a powerful parallel to the story of Lilith. Lilith, in Hebrew mythology, is often portrayed as Adam’s first wife, created from the same clay as him, who demanded equality and ultimately left the Garden of Eden when her demands were ignored. Demonized in later tales, Lilith has come to symbolize female independence and autonomy. Her story resonates deeply with the 4B movement, as it reflects their rejection of societal roles imposed by men and their demand for equality. Just as Lilith defied the patriarchal structures of her time, the 4B movement challenges the traditional roles imposed on women, offering a powerful symbol of female strength and autonomy in the face of oppression.
Clara Chassot
Sources :
‘Feminist’ make the least desirable dates in Korea
Women fired over over her alleged allegiance to a radical feminist website
Trump found liable of sexual assault
The book that sparked the 4B movement
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