The 4B movement, otherwise known as the “Four Nos”, is a feminist movement that made an appearance in South Korea during the 2010s. During this, Korean women swore off men. The name references its symbolic four “nos” in the Korean language: 비연애; bi-yeonae (no dating), 비혼; bi-hon (no marriage), 비섹스; bi-sekseu (no sex), and 비출산; bi-chulsan (no birthing).
Women in Korea have valid reasons to not want to be involved with men; there have been numerous attacks against women, and they are understandably fed up. 4B is a feminist movement for Korean women to fight against the oppressive nature of South Korean society, a society similar to America’s, where women face many difficulties. This movement essentially represents young women’s grief and resentment towards society. Activists claim the only way to ensure the safety of women—and convince society to take their safety seriously—is to swear off men en masse until something changes.
Gender inequality in South Korea brought about the profound movement—and now the U.S. may follow suit. Recently, the 4B movement has sparked an international interest as Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. Women across the United States are enraged—rightfully so. America has failed them by electing a candidate who was not only found liable for sexual abuse, but whose appointment conducted the annulment of reproductive rights.
Women in the United States are seeking both retaliation and remedy from the overturn of Roe v. Wade, a landmark case granting women the fundamental right of choice: whether or not to have an abortion. For some online, the answer is right in front of them: the 4B movement from South Korea.
It’s too early to tell whether or not the 4B movement will seriously catch on in the U.S., yet so far it has generated a lot of discussion. If women do not take on the 4B label, the anger that drove the conversation in the first place could have a major impact not just on American politics, but on American life overall—just as it has in Korea. With the trend hitting Western TikTok, you can find women with real stories, and an abundance of them claiming they are following the 4B movement because a guy didn’t pick her up on the dot, or he didn’t open the car door, etc… This attitude about the movement makes it seem less impactful.
The movement is symbolic. Considering the sexism in Korea, it makes sense why women choose to respond this way. It is the result of a highly flawed system—failing both men and women. 4B might seem too extreme for some, but many of its critics are failing to pick up on what the movement is signalling: Something is wrong and it needs to change.
This goes to show the extent of misogyny and the frustrations of women all over the world. While not many find this movement reasonable, I believe they can empathize with the sentiments behind it.
