It was late at night in her small studio apartment when Darim, a talented animator in South Korea, decided to share a trailer for a character in the popular video game MapleStory. Little did she know that sharing her creation would set off a whirlwind of vicious backlash. The trouble began when young male gamers interpreted a harmless gesture in the animation—a frame depicting the character holding her thumb and forefinger close together—as a sign of feminist mockery.
Immediately, Darim was inundated with a shocking array of abusive messages, ranging from threats of violence to demands for her firing, as the anti-feminist mob took aim at her. She explained, "There were insults I'd never heard before; they were disgusting and inhumane." Following the assault of online vitriol, the game developer made a swift decision to pull the trailer, succumbing to the pressure.
This incident places Darim among a growing list of women in South Korea who have found themselves at the mercy of online witch hunts driven by men who feel threatened by feminism. As the country grappled with issues of gender inequality, including the largest gender pay gap in OECD countries, such witch hunts have become a focal point of backlash against women's rights movements. The growing trend is particularly alarming as it stifles the voice of feminism and fosters a chilling atmosphere for women hesitant to express their beliefs.
These targeted attacks, often incited by young male gamers, manifest in a strict scrutiny of women in the gaming industry, wherein even the most benign actions can be twisted into evidence of anti-male sentiment. Minsung Kim, a young gamer who started an organization aimed at supporting victims of these witch hunts, highlighted how these "hunters" seek to unveil any perceived signs of feminism among women wasting no time in inflicting damage to their careers.
Though Darim had no involvement in the controversial animation frame, the uproar quickly unsettled her studio and led to fears of termination. "My company and CEO were in a panic," she shared, highlighting the precarious landscape women navigate as the pressure from anti-feminists mounts.
The response from companies has varied over time, but the trend of complying with unfounded allegations against women is growing. Examples abound, such as the case of a female illustrator who lost her job due to similar online pressure. Even major international organizations have capitulated, as demonstrated by the suspension of a female employee at Renault who was targeted for unintentional actions perceived as feminist.
With a significant portion of the South Korean male population rallying against feminism, backlash from men's rights narratives has gained momentum in recent years. This has been fueled by online communities that spread radical ideas of feminism, distorting its principles and misrepresenting its objectives.
As studies illustrate, many young men now perceive feminism as a threat, feeling entitled to jobs while struggling with changing societal roles as more women enter the workforce. Adding to the complexity is a political atmosphere that has turned against feminist advancement, further complicating progress.
The toll of these tensions is evident, with many women reporting fear of expressing their beliefs. Concerning statistics reveal the self-identification rate of feminists has plummeted, reflecting a pervasive silence impacting gender equality discourse in various sectors.
In retribution against the threats posed by anti-feminist mobs, some women have begun to rally together, finding strength in their shared experiences. As activists like Minsung urge organizations and the authorities to take a stand, the battle against this tide of witch hunts and gender-based harassment continues to evolve.
The consequences of this anti-feminist backlash extend beyond personal attacks; they pose a significant threat to the future of gender equality in South Korea. However, amidst this strife, women like Darim and others are looking to reclaim their voices, firmly standing for their beliefs and inviting others to do the same.
