4B movement from South Korea sparks interest in U.S. amid rising feminist discourse

The South Korean feminist 4B movement is making waves internationally, with interest surging in the U.S. following the 2024 election results. Founded in the mid-2010s on the feminist platform Womad, the movement’s core principles include rejecting marriage, childbirth, dating, and sex with men as a response to systemic misogyny. Known as the "four no’s," these tenets address societal expectations placed on women in South Korea, where issues like workplace inequality, surveillance, and restrictive beauty standards are prevalent.

Despite being a minority movement in its home country, 4B’s global spread has sparked discussions about its applicability in different cultural contexts. Korean participants emphasize that the movement is not about antagonizing men but empowering women to rediscover their autonomy and focus on self-growth. In the U.S., where feminist movements often intersect with issues like race and class, 4B is expected to evolve to reflect local challenges while maintaining its core mission of addressing patriarchy.

Critics argue that the movement’s approach may be too extreme, while supporters praise its bold stance against entrenched gender norms. As discussions continue to unfold on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, 4B is becoming a significant symbol of feminist resistance worldwide.