Late one night, Darim, an animator at a South Korean studio, had just finished redesigning a character for the popular video game MapleStory. Proud of her work, she shared the trailer online from her small apartment. However, what followed was a nightmare: a torrent of abusive messages, including death and rape threats.
The outrage stemmed from a single frame in the trailer. The female character was shown holding her thumb and forefinger close together—a gesture some young male gamers claimed was linked to a feminist group that, years ago, mocked the size of Korean men’s genitals.
Darim, whose real name has been changed for her safety, recalls, “The insults were vile and inhumane. I was accused of ruining my career.” Within hours, her studio and the game developer were inundated with demands for her firing. The company quickly pulled the promotional video.
This incident was not isolated. In South Korea, a growing wave of online witch hunts targets women suspected of being feminists. These campaigns often result in harassment, professional consequences, and fear, forcing many women to hide their feminist beliefs.
A Chilling Effect on Feminism
South Korea remains a deeply patriarchal society with significant gender inequalities. It has the largest gender pay gap among OECD countries. Feminism, which has been gaining traction in recent years, is often met with hostility, particularly from young men who feel threatened by women’s progress.
These witch hunts, led primarily by male gamers, involve scrutinizing women in industries like gaming for supposed “anti-male” gestures or statements. Any hint of feminism, real or imagined, becomes a justification for abuse.
“They believe a sinister feminist is working to undermine men, and they aim to destroy her life,” explained Minsung Kim, a 22-year-old male gamer who now advocates for the victims of these hunts.
Minsung was once part of the anti-feminist movement himself, but his views shifted after meeting women in non-gaming spaces like Dungeons & Dragons. Now a self-described “ardent feminist,” he runs an organization to support women targeted by these attacks.
Darim’s Ordeal
After the MapleStory incident, Darim became a prime target. Internet sleuths combed through her social media and unearthed an old post they deemed “feminist.” Though she had no connection to the gesture in the animation, the backlash was severe. Her studio panicked, and Nexon, the game developer, removed the studio’s work from its roster.
“I thought my career was over,” Darim said. But with Minsung’s organization stepping in to support her, including offering to cover her legal fees, her studio decided to stand firm. She kept her job, but the ordeal left lasting scars.
Not all victims are so fortunate. In one case, an illustrator lost her job after gamers physically stormed her office. Even international companies like Renault have capitulated to such pressure, suspending a female employee over baseless accusations of using the “finger-pinching gesture.”
The Root of the Backlash
The rise of feminist activism in South Korea during the mid-2010s—sparked by issues like sexual violence and widespread hidden-camera crimes—has fueled resentment among some men. These men, often active in online forums, view feminism as a threat to their status and opportunities.
Compulsory 18-month military service adds to their frustrations. Some men feel they deserve good jobs upon completing their service, and as more women enter the workforce, they perceive this as competition.
These sentiments have been validated by political figures like former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who campaigned on an anti-feminist platform. His administration dismantled the Ministry of Gender Equality, claiming that gender discrimination no longer exists.
A Dangerous Precedent
The power of these anti-feminist campaigns is alarming. By weaponizing a simple hand gesture, they have created a tool to ruin careers and intimidate women.
“Their playbook is becoming more refined,” said Minsung. “By turning an everyday gesture into a feminist ‘scarlet letter,’ they can accuse anyone and destroy their reputation.”
The complicity of major companies in these witch hunts only emboldens the perpetrators. Until organizations refuse to bow to baseless accusations, the cycle of harassment will likely continue, stifling feminism and perpetuating gender inequality in South Korea.