Backlash Against Feminism in South Korea: A Story of Online Witch Hunts

Darim, a character designer for the popular game MapleStory, faced death threats and harassment after being mistakenly accused of promoting feminism. Her story underscores a broader pattern of online witch hunts against women in South Korea, where anti-feminist feelings lead to workplace discrimination and violence. Amid this adversity, activists and supporters are striving to protect women's rights and empower the feminist movement.

In South Korea's gaming community, the backlash against feminism has reached alarming levels, as exemplified by the harrowing experience of Darim, a character designer for the hit online game MapleStory. After posting a trailer showcasing a new character design, Darim was besieged by thousands of aggressive messages, including death and rape threats, triggered by a single frame that some male gamers misinterpreted as a feminist gesture.

Darim, whose real name is withheld for her safety, explained her dismay at the vile messages: "There were insults I'd never heard before; they were disgusting and inhumane." The targeted frame featured a female character using a hand gesture that some men associated with a derisive feminist symbol from years prior. Fueled by the belief that Darim's actions were a direct affront to men, the offenders hurled abuse, demanding her dismissal from her position and leading quickly to the gaming company’s withdrawal of the promotional material.

This incident is part of a disturbing pattern where men in South Korea target women suspected of feminist leanings, fueled by an escalating anti-feminist sentiment. The backlash has created a climate of fear, making many women hesitant to identify as feminists openly due to the threat of harassment and career jeopardization. As Korea grapples with significant gender disparities, concerns about retribution and job security have led to many women retreating from vocal support for feminism.

The movement against women has gained traction particularly within online gaming circles, where young male gamers act as self-appointed enforcers against perceived feminist ideologies. Minsung Kim, a young gamer who now advocates for the rights of women facing harassment, articulated the problem: "They decide that a dark, evil feminist is hiding in the company, and her life should be ruined." In response to the rampant abuse against Darim, Minsung’s organization offered her legal assistance, and she has since managed to keep her job.

Women in the gaming industry aren't alone in facing this wave of vitriol. As backlash escalates, other sectors experience similar assaults—requiring women, regardless of gender, to sometimes assiduously alter their behaviors or appearance to avoid the ire of aggressive anti-feminist factions. The consequences of these witch hunts ripple through career opportunities, where some individuals have lost their jobs due to what are often unfounded accusations.

Within this fraught landscape, even law enforcement has shown reluctance to support victims of such targeted abuse. In a striking case, authorities initially dismissed Darim's reports of harassment, implying her feminist identity justified the aggression against her. However, after public outrage, investigations were reopened.

Ryoku, a researcher with the Korea Women’s Trade Union, has noted a shift toward "quiet feminism," where women holding feminist beliefs refrain from public acknowledgment to avoid harassment. Concerning statistics reveal that self-identification among South Korean women as feminists has declined sharply, yet their struggles for equality remain pressing.

As these abhorrent trends continue to evolve, advocates call for legal reforms to safeguard women's rights and combat discrimination in workplaces. Minsung argues that to dismantle the influence of anti-feminist instigators, both companies and authorities must take a stand against these baseless attacks. Meanwhile, the resilience of individuals like Darim and Jigu—a young woman brutally attacked for her appearance—is critical in the fight for recognition and rights as feminists, despite the dangers presented by a deeply entrenched culture of misogyny.