"No Sex, No Dating, No Babies, No Marriage": Exploring How the 4B Movement Might Transform the U.S.
The gender divide has fragmented Korean society, and now it is beginning to manifest in the U.S.
TroibNews 
As I sit at a Brooklyn bar with my cousin, a recent college graduate from Korea visiting America for the first time, a pressing question looms: How's your love life? She keeps her baseball cap pulled low and tightens her lips.
“I’m not interested,” she replies. “I just don’t trust men. You don’t know what they’re thinking these days — whether they’re one of the guys with misogynistic thoughts. It’s so normalized. Why would I even risk it?”
She has no desire to date and feels no urgency to marry. Instead, she envisions a life built around a close-knit community of single women. “It’s not just me,” she continues. “All my friends rarely date these days for that reason. These issues are all we talk about when we get together.”
My cousin and her circle of friends are part of a broader trend. In Korea, many young women are bypassing romantic relationships entirely, influenced by the 4B movement, a radical feminist initiative that emerged in the late 2010s. The four Bs represent bi-hon, bi-yeonae, bi-chulsan, and bi-sex.
This movement arose as a powerful response to increasing gender inequality and violence against women: Korea faces one of the highest gender pay gaps globally, and news reports frequently highlight horrific murders of women — occurring in subway stations, on rooftops, and even at home, often by male partners. In light of these dangers, 4B activists argue that the safest course for women is to avoid men until significant changes are made.
Following Donald Trump’s reelection, the 4B movement has gained traction on social media in the U.S., resonating with women angry about the male support that helped secure his victory. Top TikTok videos linked to the movement have accrued millions of views, and a popular tweet regarding 4B's impact following the election boasts 450,000 likes and 21 million views as of now.
While it’s too early to determine whether the 4B movement will establish itself firmly in the United States, the rising interest suggests a significant reaction to the social dynamics released by the upcoming 2024 presidential election. An increase in misogyny is apparent, exemplified by comments made by men online — “your body, my choice” — echoing similar sentiments from Korea, indicating that such feminist reactions may resonate in the U.S. While many women may not embrace the 4B label publicly, the core principles of bodily autonomy and the underlying indignation could profoundly influence American culture and politics, just as it has in Korea.
Think of the movement as a strike against the extra burdens women commonly bear to appeal to men and uphold patriarchal standards. Soha, a Korean feminist who only wished to provide her online alias to avoid backlash, articulates the shared experience of many women, emphasizing that the struggles they face in South Korea's relatively conservative society are universally relatable. Although numerous women choose not to identify with the 4B label due to fears of harassment, they still embody its principles within their lives. My cousin views this mindset as a means of survival, a way to protect against escalating violence, dodge toxic interpersonal interactions with misogynistic men, and resist a hostile political climate that attempts to curtail women’s rights.
Just as gender dynamics influence politics in Korea, they are also reshaping the electoral landscape in the United States. While the turnout data from the most recent U.S. presidential election is still being compiled, several trends are already evident. The Republican campaign adeptly utilized male identity and gender-based grievances, securing the “bro” vote and implying Kamala Harris’ achievements stemmed from her identity. Young men played a pivotal role in Trump’s election victory while many young women expressed despair, highlighting the widening gender gap in American politics, as an increasing number of young men reject feminism. An NBC News poll revealed that 57 percent of women supported Harris, compared to only 40 percent of men, illustrating women’s shift leftward while men gravitate toward rightist views.
Some U.S. women are seeking both vengeance and solace from the repercussions of a Republican trifecta, which includes a rollback of reproductive rights and more widespread acceptance of sexist attitudes. For many online, the answer may lie in the South Korean 4B movement.
Similar to the U.S., South Korea's gender division was pivotal in its recent presidential election. Yoon Suk Yeol, the conservative candidate, gained victory by appealing to disaffected young men during a period of rapid gender equality advancement, especially following the country’s #MeToo reckoning in 2018. Young men applauded Yoon’s self-proclaimed “anti-feminist” stance, arguing that “structural discrimination based on gender” doesn’t exist — despite Korea's persistent shortcomings in the World Economic Forum’s gender equality rankings. Many young men believe that male discrimination is more pressing than female discrimination, even though 50 percent of women aged 19-29 report experiencing workplace sexual discrimination, as compared to 30 percent of their male counterparts. From 2021 to 2023, reported incidences of female sexual assault increased by 15 percent, raising concerns among women in the U.S. about similar trends.
The messaging of the 4B movement is already reverberating across American social media platforms. One user on X promotes 4B as a means to “take control of your life under *him*,” while another asserts, “We need to start considering the 4B movement… We can’t let these men have the last laugh… we need to bite back.” One TikTok user announced her decision to join the 4B movement after ending a relationship with her Republican boyfriend.
“When I saw the movement go viral in the U.S., I thought, even U.S. women must be at their limit,” articulates Yeonhwa Gong, a follower of the 4B movement from Korea. “But I don’t feel too bad that it has come to this point — if anything, I think of it as a necessary action that had been pushed back for a while and is now finally happening.”
For women embracing the 4B philosophy, no man, even those who align politically, can be relied upon to provide a secure environment. With many men openly opposing feminism, and with viral content advising pro-Trump men on how to conceal their beliefs from their dates, trust is eroded. “A lot of women are just tired of men, and worrying about ‘what if?’” my cousin shared. “I had thought at some point I’d want to find a good man, no matter how hard that would be. At this point now though, I don’t feel that need.”
While the 4B movement may appear to be a radical concept unlikely to gain significant traction in the U.S., its growing resonance indicates that a considerable segment of young women feels more vulnerable following Trump’s reelection. The discourse surrounding 4B in the U.S. “prompts us to reflect on how much society has taken for granted or overlooked the rights and the freedoms that women rightly deserve,” remarks Hyejin Jeon, a University of Maryland doctoral student from Korea studying her country’s feminist movements.
Should the movement gain momentum, it could result in consequences similar to those witnessed in Korea, where women are reevaluating whom to date and often refrain from relationships out of suspicion and distrust. This cultural shift also reflects declining marriage and birth rates, with both genders grappling with profound feelings of loneliness. Politicians might exploit this divide for political gain, intensifying gender-divisive strategies and potentially employing overtly sexist rhetoric. Issues of inclusivity also loom within the movement; some American women are already debating whether those with male partners should be considered part of 4B.
Additionally, there exists the risk of backlash from conservative factions. “The long-term effect I see is very negative, because they chose the radical strategy, giving men and anti-feminists reason to hate them even more,” warns Minyoung Moon, a lecturer at Clemson University who published a report on the backlash against feminism in South Korea. “And when I look at the 4B movement … on YouTube, I already see the conservative party people bashing against liberal women.”
Nonetheless, the movement is currently surging in both countries as women articulate that the life path traditionally expected — dating, marriage, children — increasingly resembles a trap designed by men who do not regard them as equals. Women like my cousin seek alternatives.
“To live with friends that are close to me, to have the ability to live on my own — living like that is my dream,” she says.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I’m not interested,” she replies. “I just don’t trust men. You don’t know what they’re thinking these days — whether they’re one of the guys with misogynistic thoughts. It’s so normalized. Why would I even risk it?”
She has no desire to date and feels no urgency to marry. Instead, she envisions a life built around a close-knit community of single women. “It’s not just me,” she continues. “All my friends rarely date these days for that reason. These issues are all we talk about when we get together.”
My cousin and her circle of friends are part of a broader trend. In Korea, many young women are bypassing romantic relationships entirely, influenced by the 4B movement, a radical feminist initiative that emerged in the late 2010s. The four Bs represent bi-hon, bi-yeonae, bi-chulsan, and bi-sex.
This movement arose as a powerful response to increasing gender inequality and violence against women: Korea faces one of the highest gender pay gaps globally, and news reports frequently highlight horrific murders of women — occurring in subway stations, on rooftops, and even at home, often by male partners. In light of these dangers, 4B activists argue that the safest course for women is to avoid men until significant changes are made.
Following Donald Trump’s reelection, the 4B movement has gained traction on social media in the U.S., resonating with women angry about the male support that helped secure his victory. Top TikTok videos linked to the movement have accrued millions of views, and a popular tweet regarding 4B's impact following the election boasts 450,000 likes and 21 million views as of now.
While it’s too early to determine whether the 4B movement will establish itself firmly in the United States, the rising interest suggests a significant reaction to the social dynamics released by the upcoming 2024 presidential election. An increase in misogyny is apparent, exemplified by comments made by men online — “your body, my choice” — echoing similar sentiments from Korea, indicating that such feminist reactions may resonate in the U.S. While many women may not embrace the 4B label publicly, the core principles of bodily autonomy and the underlying indignation could profoundly influence American culture and politics, just as it has in Korea.
Think of the movement as a strike against the extra burdens women commonly bear to appeal to men and uphold patriarchal standards. Soha, a Korean feminist who only wished to provide her online alias to avoid backlash, articulates the shared experience of many women, emphasizing that the struggles they face in South Korea's relatively conservative society are universally relatable. Although numerous women choose not to identify with the 4B label due to fears of harassment, they still embody its principles within their lives. My cousin views this mindset as a means of survival, a way to protect against escalating violence, dodge toxic interpersonal interactions with misogynistic men, and resist a hostile political climate that attempts to curtail women’s rights.
Just as gender dynamics influence politics in Korea, they are also reshaping the electoral landscape in the United States. While the turnout data from the most recent U.S. presidential election is still being compiled, several trends are already evident. The Republican campaign adeptly utilized male identity and gender-based grievances, securing the “bro” vote and implying Kamala Harris’ achievements stemmed from her identity. Young men played a pivotal role in Trump’s election victory while many young women expressed despair, highlighting the widening gender gap in American politics, as an increasing number of young men reject feminism. An NBC News poll revealed that 57 percent of women supported Harris, compared to only 40 percent of men, illustrating women’s shift leftward while men gravitate toward rightist views.
Some U.S. women are seeking both vengeance and solace from the repercussions of a Republican trifecta, which includes a rollback of reproductive rights and more widespread acceptance of sexist attitudes. For many online, the answer may lie in the South Korean 4B movement.
Similar to the U.S., South Korea's gender division was pivotal in its recent presidential election. Yoon Suk Yeol, the conservative candidate, gained victory by appealing to disaffected young men during a period of rapid gender equality advancement, especially following the country’s #MeToo reckoning in 2018. Young men applauded Yoon’s self-proclaimed “anti-feminist” stance, arguing that “structural discrimination based on gender” doesn’t exist — despite Korea's persistent shortcomings in the World Economic Forum’s gender equality rankings. Many young men believe that male discrimination is more pressing than female discrimination, even though 50 percent of women aged 19-29 report experiencing workplace sexual discrimination, as compared to 30 percent of their male counterparts. From 2021 to 2023, reported incidences of female sexual assault increased by 15 percent, raising concerns among women in the U.S. about similar trends.
The messaging of the 4B movement is already reverberating across American social media platforms. One user on X promotes 4B as a means to “take control of your life under *him*,” while another asserts, “We need to start considering the 4B movement… We can’t let these men have the last laugh… we need to bite back.” One TikTok user announced her decision to join the 4B movement after ending a relationship with her Republican boyfriend.
“When I saw the movement go viral in the U.S., I thought, even U.S. women must be at their limit,” articulates Yeonhwa Gong, a follower of the 4B movement from Korea. “But I don’t feel too bad that it has come to this point — if anything, I think of it as a necessary action that had been pushed back for a while and is now finally happening.”
For women embracing the 4B philosophy, no man, even those who align politically, can be relied upon to provide a secure environment. With many men openly opposing feminism, and with viral content advising pro-Trump men on how to conceal their beliefs from their dates, trust is eroded. “A lot of women are just tired of men, and worrying about ‘what if?’” my cousin shared. “I had thought at some point I’d want to find a good man, no matter how hard that would be. At this point now though, I don’t feel that need.”
While the 4B movement may appear to be a radical concept unlikely to gain significant traction in the U.S., its growing resonance indicates that a considerable segment of young women feels more vulnerable following Trump’s reelection. The discourse surrounding 4B in the U.S. “prompts us to reflect on how much society has taken for granted or overlooked the rights and the freedoms that women rightly deserve,” remarks Hyejin Jeon, a University of Maryland doctoral student from Korea studying her country’s feminist movements.
Should the movement gain momentum, it could result in consequences similar to those witnessed in Korea, where women are reevaluating whom to date and often refrain from relationships out of suspicion and distrust. This cultural shift also reflects declining marriage and birth rates, with both genders grappling with profound feelings of loneliness. Politicians might exploit this divide for political gain, intensifying gender-divisive strategies and potentially employing overtly sexist rhetoric. Issues of inclusivity also loom within the movement; some American women are already debating whether those with male partners should be considered part of 4B.
Additionally, there exists the risk of backlash from conservative factions. “The long-term effect I see is very negative, because they chose the radical strategy, giving men and anti-feminists reason to hate them even more,” warns Minyoung Moon, a lecturer at Clemson University who published a report on the backlash against feminism in South Korea. “And when I look at the 4B movement … on YouTube, I already see the conservative party people bashing against liberal women.”
Nonetheless, the movement is currently surging in both countries as women articulate that the life path traditionally expected — dating, marriage, children — increasingly resembles a trap designed by men who do not regard them as equals. Women like my cousin seek alternatives.
“To live with friends that are close to me, to have the ability to live on my own — living like that is my dream,” she says.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
