In South Korea’s popular online game MapleStory, an animator named Darim, proud of her work on a new character design, faced a tsunami of backlash after posting a trailer featuring a seemingly innocuous hand gesture. Young male gamers, misinterpreting her character's pose as a feminist statement, inundated her with threatening messages, including death threats. The backlash was swift and brutal; the gaming company withdrew promotional materials and issued an apology, succumbing to pressure from a segment of players who believe any hint of feminism warrants harsh retribution.
Darim, not her real name, described the assault of insults as "disgusting and inhumane," stating one user warned her: “You’ve just sabotaged your job.” This alarming incident reveals a worrying pattern in South Korea, where perceived expressions of feminism have led to aggressive campaigns against women, often perpetrated by male gamers who feel threatened by the rise of women’s rights activism. Engulfed in a climate of vitriol, many women now hide their feminist beliefs due to fear of social and professional repercussions.
This movement against feminism is characterized by intense scrutiny of women in gaming and other industries, as male trolls hunt for any sign of feminism, labeling those who express these views as “man-haters.” Minsung Kim, a young male gamer who has witnessed these events, created a support organization for victims of such witch hunts. "They decide that a dark, evil feminist is hiding in the company, and her life should be ruined," he explained, highlighting the aggressive tactics employed by these groups.
Amidst the chaos, Darim’s plight took an unexpected turn when Minsung’s organization intervened. They advised her studio to disregard the torrent of harassment and offered financial support for legal actions against her abusers. While her studio eventually held its ground, many other firms have bowed to the relentless pressure, opting to censor content for fear of resembling symbols of feminism.
In South Korea, the societal push against feminists has roots in resistance to what many young men perceive as a threat to their livelihoods, particularly in the wake of evolving gender roles. The societal discourse around masculinity and femininity has been marred by misinterpretations of feminist principles. This growing intimidation often cascades from the online realm into real life, with incidents of violence against individuals perceived as feminists becoming increasingly common.
The legal system, unfortunately, hasn’t been a bulwark against this tide. In past cases, police have hesitated to treat feminist-targeting assaults as credible, leaving individuals like Jigu, who faced violent attack due to her appearance, with little recourse. As these dynamics play out, both young men and women grapple with a distorted understanding of feminism, one defined by the fear perpetuated by extremist viewpoints and mischaracterizations.
While Darim’s situation shines a light on the harsh realities of gender inequality in South Korea, it also illustrates a pressing need for change, both socially and legally. The defining feature of this societal malaise points toward a lack of protective laws against discrimination based on gender beliefs, perpetuating a cycle of fear and silence among women trying to assert their rights in an often hostile environment.
