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.