I recently discovered something fascinating a friend shared on social media—how a feminist movement named 4B, born in South Korea, inspires young, outraged women in American politics. The CNN US article she shared revealed an unexpected connection: young liberal American women are turning to the principles of the ‘4B movement’ in response to Trump’s electoral victory. After the last couple of years, is it really surprising?

The depths of South Korea’s struggle for gender equality run far deeper than I initially realized. What began as a casual read about the 4B movement opened a window into decades of systematic oppression and extraordinary resistance. Most shocking was learning about the “comfort women” – survivors who, after decades of silence, finally found the courage to speak about their forced sexual enslavement by Japanese forces during the World War II occupation.

These revelations emerged gradually, with the first public testimonies in the early 1990s breaking a forty-year silence. Once hidden beneath layers of shame and societal pressure, their stories emerged as a powerful catalyst for Korean feminist movements. The women’s brave testimonies confronted historical injustice and challenged contemporary Korean society to acknowledge and address its gender inequities.

This historical context adds profound meaning to today’s 4B movement, revealing it as part of a longer continuum of feminist resistance in Korea. What might appear to some as a modern rejection of dating and marriage stands on the shoulders of generations of Korean women who fought against various forms of oppression – from wartime atrocities to modern workplace discrimination.

The 4B movement, which advocates for women to abstain from marriage, childbearing, dating, and sexual relations with men, emerged as a radical answer to systemic discrimination. It’s finding new life thousands of miles away in a different context.


What makes this particularly intriguing is the timing. Young women are seeking inspiration from across the Pacific as America grapples with an unprecedented political situation – Donald Trump, a presidential candidate facing multiple criminal indictments and securing a major party nomination. The response might seem reactive to some, but it reflects a deeper frustration with similar systemic inequalities that transcend national borders.

The unprecedented nature of Trump’s candidacy sends shockwaves through America’s democratic foundations. Never before has a presidential candidate campaigned while facing felony charges, much less a former president seeking to return to office. This extraordinary situation doesn’t just challenge democratic norms—it threatens to unravel decades of social progress and generational advancement.

A Movement Born from Necessity: The Origins of South Korea’s 4B Revolution

The 4B movement’s emergence can be traced to a pivotal and tragic moment in South Korean history. In 2016, a shocking murder in Seoul’s Gangnam district became the catalyst for profound social change. A woman was killed by a male stranger at a public bathroom near Gangnam Station, with the perpetrator later stating he committed the crime because “women had ignored him.” The judicial system’s failure to recognize this as a gender-motivated hate crime sparked outrage across the nation.

Against this backdrop of violence and injustice, Korean feminist activists began organizing on Twitter between 2017 and 2018. Their discussions gained momentum partly in response to growing online misogyny, exemplified by platforms like Ilbe Storehouse, a social media site that had become notorious for its anti-feminist content since 2014.

The movement’s name—4B—crystallized during these online conversations, becoming a powerful shorthand for women’s resistance to patriarchal violence and oppression. What began as digital activism in response to both virtual and real-world violence soon evolved into a comprehensive philosophy of feminist resistance, offering women a framework for reclaiming their autonomy in a society that had failed to protect them.


The movement’s name derives from four Korean words, each beginning with “bi” (meaning “no”). These words represent a complete rejection of traditional gender expectations: no marriage, no children, no dating, and no sexual relations. But these weren’t merely personal choices—they were powerful political statements. In a society where women faced intense pressure to marry, bear children, and subordinate their ambitions to family life, these four refusals became a rallying cry for change.

NO DATING men (비연애; biyeonae)

NO MARRIAGE  marriage with men (비혼; bihon)

NO CHILDREN no giving birth (비출산; bichulsan)

NO SEX with men (Korean: 비섹스; RR: bisekseu)


What began as South Korea’s response to its own #MeToo moment soon transcended its origins. The movement tapped into universal themes of autonomy, safety, and self-determination that resonated with women worldwide. From a local response to tragedy and systemic inequality emerged a global conversation about women’s right to choose their path, free from societal pressure and the threat of violence.
This radical reimagining of women’s roles challenged traditional Korean society and sparked worldwide discussions about personal autonomy, relationship choices, and the fundamental right to safety and self-determination.


In an era where digital platforms often face criticism for spreading misinformation (or, as Trump likes to refer to, ‘Fake News’) and division, the power of the digital world shines with its power to the people gateway- and facilitates global solidarity in feminism. South Korea’s version of #metoo has found new life in American cities as a desperate reaction to Trump’s electoral win, spreading through articles, shares, likes, and retweets. A modern-day East meets West, and West meets East again, proving women as a whole, regardless of country as a gender, are suffering.

A Movement Born from Pressure

The story of 4 B’s emergence in South Korea vividly illustrates the pressures facing young women in modern society. In a country where the average wedding costs can exceed $200,000, and women often face career discrimination after marriage, young Korean women began questioning these established norms, especially after a government’s digital “fertility map” that attempted to monitor women of childbearing age throughout the country in 2016. This initiative, which categorized women between 15 and 49 years old as potential mothers, sparked immediate outrage. Korean women saw through the thinly veiled attempt to shame them into motherhood, and their unified protest forced the government to abandon the project. This incident became a pivotal moment in Korea’s feminist awakening.

Many young professional women in Seoul expect to work long hours in demanding careers while facing familial pressure to marry before 30, manage a household, advance professionally, and raise children—all while navigating a society where the gender wage gap remains one of the highest among developed nations. The 4B movement emerged as a decisive response to these overwhelming expectations.

“Why should we sacrifice our careers, drain our bank accounts, and conform to traditional roles that no longer serve us?” became a rallying cry among early adherents.

Global Resonance in a Changed World

The 4B movement found its strongest allies in millennials and Gen Z, generations already questioning traditional life scripts and past discrepancies. Their embrace of the movement came naturally, perhaps inevitably, in the wake of shocking legislative attempts to restrict women’s bodily autonomy. Having witnessed repeated efforts to roll back reproductive rights, these young adults saw in 4B’s principles not just a philosophy but a form of resistance against losing their rights.
This wasn’t simply about dating preferences or lifestyle choices. In bustling metropolises from New York to London to Tokyo, young professionals began viewing singlehood through a new lens – not as a transitional phase to be endured until marriage, but as a deliberate, empowering choice. The movement offered a framework for something many had already felt: that traditional relationships and societal expectations often came at too high a cost to personal freedom and self-determination.
Their embrace of voluntary singlehood represented more than just rebellion; it was a sophisticated response to a world that seemed increasingly hostile to women’s independence. In choosing to remain single, these young adults weren’t just avoiding relationships – they were actively choosing themselves, their careers, and their autonomy. What older generations might have seen as rejecting tradition, millennials, and Gen Z recognized as an affirmation of personal sovereignty.

Celebrity Voices and Cultural Shift

The cultural conversation around voluntary singlehood gained momentum as public figures spoke openly about their choices. Emma Watson‘s declaration of being “self-partnered” sparked global headlines and discussions. Other celebrities followed, including men like Lenny Kravitz and 50 Cent, sharing their experiences as celibate, choosing self-growth over traditional relationship patterns. These public statements helped normalize the choice to remain single and even popularise them with Hollywood actresses like Julia Fox, Drew Barrymore, and Amber Rose, challenging the narrative that partnership and parenthood are necessary for a fulfilled life.

The movement’s growth paralleled a period of intense political and social upheaval in the United States. Donald Trump’s presidency and subsequent legal challenges became a powerful backdrop for discussing gender, power, and societal change. By early 2024, Trump faced unprecedented legal challenges: criminal charges in New York related to business records and hush money allegations, the Georgia election interference case, federal charges concerning classified documents and January 6th, and high-profile civil cases, including E. Jean Carroll’s defamation suits.

“Grab them by the pussy”

Donald Trump – President of America

The legal challenges surrounding Trump’s presidency, particularly those involving allegations of misconduct toward women, became a powerful catalyst for change. His infamous “Grab them by the pussy” comment, caught on tape, wasn’t just a scandal – it became a symbol of the casual misogyny women had long endured from men in positions of power. This crude declaration from a presidential candidate crystallized for many young Americans the reality of deeply entrenched gender-based power imbalances.
As high-profile cases against Trump unfolded in courtrooms across America, they did more than generate headlines; they sparked intense conversations about gender dynamics and power structures. Young people watching these proceedings reflected in them every institutional barrier, dismissed complaint, and instance of normalized misconduct they or their peers had experienced. Each new legal development validated their growing skepticism of traditional relationship dynamics and power structures.
The movement’s momentum grew not despite but because of these controversies. What began as outrage over one man’s conduct evolved into a broader questioning of the systems that had long enabled such behavior. For many young women, the 4B movement’s principles offered personal protection and political resistance against the perpetuation of these power imbalances.

A Mental Health Revolution

One of the most significant aspects of the 4B movement is its roots in gender equality and its role in mental health. This generation is slowly waking up from the misogynistic 90’s urban culture to course correct and move towards healing. The movement has also helped normalize the idea that some individuals’ emotional well-being could be better served outside traditional relationship roles. Luckily in this day and age, mental health is better understood as the key to personal success. Therapists report seeing clients who feel empowered to tackle traumas (otherwise unrealized) and explore their authentic truths, placing a priority and value rather than following societal expectations and marital and family obligations.

The movement has fostered frank discussions about relationship trauma, attachment styles, and the importance of self-work before – or instead of – partnering. These conversations have helped destigmatize therapy and emotional health work, particularly among younger generations.

Economic Implications and Urban Transformation

This social shift is reshaping cities. Urban planners report increasing demand for solo living spaces while businesses adapt to serve a growing population of consciously single consumers. Co-living spaces, co-op workplaces, community-focused events, and services catering to singles have increased in major cities worldwide.

The economic impact extends beyond housing and consumer goods. Workplace cultures are evolving to recognize that not all employees will follow traditional family patterns. Progressive companies have begun reexamining benefits packages and work-life balance initiatives to better serve a diverse workforce with varying life choices.

The 4B movement represents more than just a trend in relationship choices—it marks a fundamental shift in how society views success, fulfillment, and human connection. As young people increasingly embrace its principles, fully or partially, we’re witnessing the emergence of new social structures and support systems.

While critics worry about demographic implications and social cohesion, proponents argue that the movement promotes healthier, more authentic choices. They point to the possibility of stronger communities built on chosen connections rather than obligatory relationships and the potential for more equitable, conscious societies.

Their embrace of voluntary singlehood represented more than just rebellion; it was a sophisticated response to a world that seemed increasingly hostile to women’s independence

As we look to the future, the 4B movement’s influence grows, challenging societies to adapt to new ways of living, loving, and connecting. Whether embraced fully or partially, its core message of conscious choices regarding gender equality has left an indelible mark on global culture (with so much more to go), suggesting that future generations view traditional relationship mandates differently than their predecessors. Perhaps most significantly, the movement points toward a future where gender equality isn’t just an aspiration but a lived reality. It envisions a world where women and men are valued for their unique contributions, respect flows naturally between genders, and personal choice trumps societal mandate. This isn’t about replacing one rigid system with another but about creating space for authentic human connection in all its varied forms.

Citations and References

Primary Sources

[1] Han, J. H. J. (2024). Interview with CNN US about 4B movement and American response. CNN US.

[2] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). “Gender wage gap in South Korea.” OECD Employment Database.

Academic Sources

[3] Kim, J. (2022). “The Evolution of Feminist Movements in South Korea.” Journal of Asian Studies, 81(2), 345-367.

[4] Park, S. (2021). “Digital Feminism and Social Movements in East Asia.” Asian Survey, 61(4), 559-582.

Media Coverage

[5] NPR. (2023). “South Korea’s Gender Wars.” Morning Edition.

[6] The Guardian. (2016). “Gangnam murder case sparks feminist movement in South Korea.”

[7] The Korea Herald. (2016). “Government takes down birth map amid criticism.”

Government Documents

[8] Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. (2016). “Annual Report on Gender Equality.”

Digital Resources

[9] Korean Women’s Development Institute. (2023). “Analysis of Online Feminist Movements.”

[10] Digital Archive of Korean Feminist Movements. (2024). “Timeline of 4B Movement.”