Journalists Rachel Lee and Chloe Hadjimatheou discuss the growing anti-feminist sentiment in South Korea, the Burning Sun scandal involving K-pop stars and crimes against women, and the 4B movement on TikTok promoting gender equality. They shed light on the challenges feminists face and the government's response to protect women in Korean society.
Feminism in South Korea is stigmatized, leading to discrimination and attacks against women challenging gender norms.
The 4B movement promotes rejecting traditional gender roles, sparking debates on gender equality and societal expectations.
Deep dives
Gender Equality Challenges in South Korea
Gender equality in South Korea faces significant challenges, with women earning a third less than men, leading to the worst gender pay gap among rich countries. Being a feminist in Korea is often taboo, with women facing physical and verbal attacks for challenging gender norms. Anti-feminist sentiments are prevalent, especially among younger men, where around 50% of those in their 20s oppose feminism compared to only 9% of men in their 50s.
Impact of Online Anti-Feminism Discussions
Online discussions about feminism in South Korea reflect deep-seated anti-feminist sentiments, equating feminism with extreme views like man-hating. Women who openly declare themselves as feminists face backlash, with some celebrities like members of Red Velvet receiving hate comments for expressing feminist views. The taboo around feminism leads to discrimination and threats to personal and professional lives, further highlighting the challenges faced by feminists in Korean society.
The 4B Movement and Advocacy for Women's Rights
The emergence of the 4B movement, advocating for women to reject gender norms through principles like no dating, marriage, sex, and child-rearing, has sparked discussions on gender equality and societal expectations. While the movement has gained traction on platforms like TikTok, its actual influence and adoption remain unclear. Organizations like the Korean Women's Associations United continue to fight for women's rights and gender equality amidst social and cultural debates.
Being a feminist in South Korea is often associated with being a man-hater. And people who are thought to look like feminists - by for example having short hair or not wearing makeup - can be ridiculed, or even attacked.
Rachel Lee, a journalist based in Seoul, explains why anti-feminist sentiment is growing among young men, how this plays out online, and what the government is doing to protect women. Investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou talks us through the Burning Sun scandal - which saw some K-pop stars imprisoned for crimes against women.
And we unpack the 4B movement, which is currently doing the rounds on TikTok.