Understanding the 4B Movement: The Radical Feminist Wave from South Korea Spreading to the U.S. | Gita Blog Sport
Gitablogsport.com - A radical feminist movement from South Korea, known as the 4B Movement, has begun to gain traction in the United States, particularly after the quick count results of the U.S. Presidential Election on November 5, 2024, showed a win for Republican candidate Donald Trump..jpeg)
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What Is the 4B Movement?
The 4B Movement an abbreviation of four Korean words beginning with "bi," meaning "no" or "non-", encourages women to reject four traditional life expectations related to men:
1. Bihon – No marriage
2. Biyeonae – No dating men
3. Bichulsan – No childbirth
4. Bisekseu – No sexual relations with men
At its core, the movement calls for women to completely disengage from male-dominated relationships and societal norms as a form of resistance against systemic patriarchy.
Why Is the 4B Movement Trending in the U.S.?
According to The Independent, many Americans, especially women, have shown interest in the 4B ideology due to rising discontent with the results of the 2024 U.S. election. Despite her qualifications, the female presidential candidate lost, prompting speculation that gender bias among male voters played a significant role.
Furthermore, Trump’s stance on abortion, overturning federal protections while supporting state-level bans following the repeal of Roe v. Wade has sparked further outrage among women’s rights advocates.
Origins of the 4B Movement
As reported by Rolling Stone, the 4B Movement first emerged in the early 2010s among South Korean feminists on the controversial online forum Womad. It arose as a direct challenge to misogyny deeply embedded in South Korean culture.
Social and Economic Drivers Behind the Movement
Activists in the 4B Movement view traditional marriage as a threat to female autonomy. Disparities in wages and treatment between men and women reinforce this perception:
In the U.S., women earn about 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.
In South Korea, the gender wage gap is even starker women earn 31% less than men on average.
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Domestic violence is another major concern. A 2018 study revealed that in South Korea, 824 women were killed and 602 seriously injured by their spouses over a nine-year period. A 2021 report found that 1 in 3 Korean women experience domestic violence, with 46% of cases perpetrated by husbands or partners.
Tangible Impact in South Korea
The 4B Movement has already shown real societal impact in South Korea:
The country now ranks lowest globally in birth rates.
Over 42% of households consist of a single person.
The frequency of sexual activity has dropped by 40% in recent years, largely due to women rejecting intimacy as a form of self-sovereignty.
Many South Korean women now see remaining single and child-free not as rebellion, but as a path to true freedom.
Education and Gender Tensions
The rise of the 4B Movement is also linked to higher education levels among Korean women. Around three-quarters of South Korean women now attain higher education, compared to two-thirds of men. This shift has caused friction, with some men coining derogatory terms like "Kimchinyeo", referring to women perceived as selfish or manipulative.
A Social Statement, Not Just Symbolism
With ongoing inequality and gender-based violence, many Korean women no longer see the 4B ideology as symbolic. Instead, it’s becoming a social choice for autonomy, control over their bodies, and freedom from societal pressure.
In the U.S., rising curiosity around the movement may reflect growing frustration among female voters, especially as male voters continue to support candidates with policies that are hostile to women’s rights.