The 4B movement in South Korea, a feminist action advocating a boycott of dating, marriage, childbirth and sex, faces challenges as it gains international attention, including online harassment of activists, risks of misrepresentation in media and potential political exploitation — all of which threaten to overshadow its critique of gender discrimination in South Korean society.

Kim Ji-yeon, a 27-year-old activist and media studies graduate student at Korea University, experienced cyberbullying in 2022 due to her involvement in the movement. Known as the “4B Movement Queen,” Kim engaged in extensive debates with critics for two years before ceasing her social media advocacy due to online harassment.

She believes that other 4B practitioners have withdrawn from online activities for similar reasons.

However, the movement experienced a resurgence earlier this year as it spread internationally, gaining renewed attention on social media platforms such as Twitter and TikTok. TikTok alone hosts over 10,000 videos tagged “#4bmovement,” ranging from explanatory content to terrifying personal dating experiences.

“It was fascinating to see an international audience reaching out to Korean feminists to learn about 4B,” Kim told Korea Pro. “It has enabled feminists to connect across borders through shared experiences of misogyny.”

ORIGINS AND CONTEXT

The 4B movement emerged in South Korea between 2017 and 2018 as one of several online feminist actions in response to high-profile criminal cases that sparked nationwide debates on gender conflicts. 

Gong Yeon-hwa, author of a 2021 study on 4B, notes incidents included the 2016 Gangnam Station murder, where a man stabbed a woman in a public restroom, and the arrest of Yang Jin-ho, whose file-sharing platforms profited from illegal spycam pornography, as catalysts for the movement. 

Lee Hyo-min, a PhD candidate at Yonsei University, connects 4B to the “Hell Joseon” sentiment prevalent among young South Koreans in the early 2010s. This concept critiqued economic inequality and social pressures in South Korea, spawning terms like the “Sampo Generation” to describe young people abandoning dating, marriage and child-rearing.

“Young feminists viewed 4B as the fastest and most effective way to challenge the patriarchy,” Lee told Korea Pro.

Various photographs of South Korean women protesting for women’s rights, March 22, 2024 | Image: Korea Women’s Associations United

ANALYZING 4B’S IMPACT

Proponents argue that 4B empowers women to reclaim their autonomy from male-dominated societal pressures. Critics, however,  contend that the movement misidentifies the root causes of gender discrimination.

“Dating, marriage, childbirth and sex, which 4B practitioners forswear, are neither the results nor causes of gender discrimination,” PhD candidate Lee said. “ Structural gender discrimination shapes these relationships in misogynistic ways. Eliminating these relationships alone won’t create gender equality in South Korea.”

The movement’s definition remains contentious. Some feminists limit 4B to those rejecting all four relationships, while others include individuals opting out of some.

“In many ways, the narrative around feminism has become divided in South Korea, especially between married and unmarried people,” Park Gyo-yeon, a former columnist at the internet outlet IncheonIn, told Korea Pro.

“Many unmarried feminists often distance themselves from married women, as they tend to view marriage as a choice that forces women to submit to the patriarchy,” she added.

Experts also debate 4B’s classification as a social movement because it focuses on individual actions rather than pushing for collective actions that may lead to policy changes.

“4B isn’t a radical feminist movement aimed at systemic change,” Bae Jeong-weon, an adjunct professor at Sejong University, told Korea Pro. “It’s a form of protest by younger women who feel powerless to alter Korean society.”

REVIVED MOVEMENT

The 4B movement’s recent international recognition stems from several factors. Global conversations about gender equality, work-life balance and changing social norms have created a receptive audience for 4B’s ideas.

Additionally, social media platforms have facilitated the rapid spread of information about the movement, allowing it to reach diverse audiences worldwide. Further, the movement’s clear, actionable stance resonates with individuals seeking concrete ways to challenge societal expectations.

However, the recent resurgence of 4B on social media and international discourse has elicited varied responses. Some experts warn of sensationalized coverage by media and politicians that may focus on adherents’ actions rather than their motivations.

For instance, during South Korea’s 2020 general elections, Lee Seung-cheon of the Democratic Party pledged to “curb the 4B movement” in his election campaign. This promise drew criticism from women’s rights groups, prompting him to clarify that he intended to “establish a women-friendly environment where no one needs to practice 4B.”

Bae of Sejong University cautions against discussing 4B at a time when local media and politicians often blame feminism for alleged misandrist incidents. She cited the recent Renault Korea controversy, in which the company apologized for its promotional content after it drew flak for an employee’s hand gesture, deemed offensive to men. 

South Korean women take part in a “Me Too” protest, March 7, 2019 | Image: Korea Women’s Associations United

“Media and political discussions should prioritize understanding why young women practice 4B rather than attacking its practitioners,” she emphasized. 

Conversely, some activists see this renewed attention as an opportunity to document and evaluate 4B’s significance in South Korean society’s growing gender divides.

“4B represents a unique instance of feminists organizing collective action against the patriarchy while exploring gender power dynamics,” Lee Min-kyeong, author of the bestselling feminist essay “We Need Language,” told Korea Pro. “It’s a historical movement worthy of future study, despite some calling it peripheral.”

However, columnist Park doubts that 4B will regain momentum as a social movement in South Korea.

“The movement’s initial drive in the late 2010s stemmed from a desire to change Korean society. It stemmed from people’s collective anger at the crimes they witnessed at the time,” Park said. “But since then, people no longer have faith that the government has the desire or the ability to initiate the changes people want to see, no matter what kinds of pressure people put on elected officials.” 

“Now, 4B has evolved into a lifestyle choice for those prioritizing their well-being, financial concerns and retirement planning,” she concluded.

FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

In South Korea, the movement may continue to influence discussions on gender roles, work-life balance and social expectations. Even if 4B doesn’t maintain its initial momentum, it has already shifted the conversation around women’s choices and societal pressures.

Globally, 4B may inspire similar movements tailored to local contexts to address culture-specific gender issues.

The movement’s emphasis on individual choice may also impact policy discussions. As more young people opt out of traditional life paths, policymakers may need to reconsider social welfare systems and economic structures, especially in a rapidly aging country like South Korea.

However, the long-term effects remain uncertain. While the 4B movement may continue to evolve into a personal lifestyle choice, it may yet lead to a more nuanced understanding of individual agency within feminist discourse.

Ultimately, the 4B movement’s legacy may lie in its ability to spark conversations about gender equality, personal autonomy and societal expectations, both in South Korea and beyond.

Edited by John Lee