Interest in the 4B movement has surged since the election according to NPR.
Whether it will catch on in the States or not, here’s the 4B movement and its context!
Quick Summary
- After Trump’s 2nd win, some women are considering the 4B movement according to CNN.
- The 4B Movement originated in South Korea.
- 4B means no marriage, childbirth, dating, or intercourse.
What Is the 4B Movement?
The 4B Movement is a radical feminist movement in South Korea that started around 2019.
It advocates for rejecting traditional gender norms and fighting for equal rights.
4B stands for four principles, all prefixed with “bi-” (meaning “no” or “non-“).
- Bihon (비혼) – No marriage
- Bichulsan (비출산) – No childbirth
- Biyeonae (비연애) – No dating
- Biseonggwangye (비성관계) – No intercourse
Why Did Korea Have the 4B Movement?
The 4B Movement is based on the idea that it’s impossible for women to have safe relationships with men as long as the unequal power relations between men and women in personal relationships, family, workplace, and the judicial system continue to operate as they do today according to the Sisa Journal article, written by Bae Jeong-won, a professor at Sejong University.
One of the key reasons is tremendous frustration with society and the government regarding women’s safety.
The 4B Movement is like leaving everything behind because some people gave up on trying to improve women’s rights in the country.
They wanted to express their resistance against the rigid gender roles and an attempt to redefine what it means to live as a woman in modern South Korea.
What Is a Brief History Leading Up to the 4B Movement?
2016: Gangnam Station Murder Case
The 2016 murder near Gangnam Station was a turning point. A 34-year-old man fatally stabbed a 23-year-old woman, later claiming that he committed the crime because other women had consistently ignored him. This gender-based violence shocked the country, sparking protests and memorials at Gangnam Station Exit 10. The incident resonated with many women, who saw the victim’s death as the everyday dangers they face due to gender discrimination. The murderer was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2017.
2017: Abortion Law Protests and #MeToo Movement
In 2017, a public demand for abolishing the criminalization of abortion gained over 230,000 signatures in an online petition. The movement for legalizing abortion was accompanied by South Korea’s first #MeToo wave in 2018, where women shared their experiences of harassment and assault. Following years of activism, the Constitutional Court ruled in 2019 that the country’s anti-abortion law was unconstitutional, marking a victory for women’s rights.
2019: Escalation of Digital Crimes and Birth of the Escape-the-Corset Movement
As illegal camera incidents (molka) and the “Nth Room” criminal case became widely known, there was a surge in distrust among young women toward the government and its ability to protect them. This led to the “Escape the Corset” movement, where women began rejecting societal expectations to look and behave a certain way. This laid the foundation for the 4B Movement, where more women chose to opt out of marriage, dating, and motherhood as a form of protest and empowerment.
How Big Is the 4B Movement in Korea?
It’s a fringe movement that most Koreans stopped talking about years ago. I was surprised to hear that it became news in the USA after the election.
Is the 4B Movement the Reason for Low Birthrates in Korea?
No, Korea has low birthrates because of rising work hours, housing prices, and cost of living.
Despite the criticism that it may lead to further gender polarization, the 4B Movement is a call for structural changes in Korean society.
