Over the recent years, the Korean gaming industry has become a battleground for a growing backlash against feminism, where women, like animator Darim, experience severe online harassment after male gamers misinterpret gestures in video games as feminist provocations.
Late one night, after unveiling a new character design in the popular online game MapleStory, Darim proudly shared the announcement on social media. Within moments, she was deluged with hostile messages, including death and rape threats, from male gamers stirred by what they perceived as a feminist hand gesture in her work. One message ominously warned, "You've just sabotaged your job".
Despite the chaos, Darim did not contribute to the animation's controversial element; however, the backlash forced her studio to retract the promotional video amid escalating threats from men accusing her of being a feministic conspiracy within the gaming company.
This incident is part of broader and increasing online witch hunts—particularly targeting women in the gaming industry—led by young male gamers who label any sign of feminism as a direct challenge. The consequences are disastrous, with many women now terrified to express their views on feminism, fearing for their livelihoods.
In a society where gender discrimination is entrenched, the backlash against women asserting themselves has deep roots, particularly following feminist movements that highlight sexual violence and misogyny. The resulting fears among young men have manifested in accusations of unfairness over job opportunities and a growing resentment towards women striving for equal rights.
Minsung Kim, a 22-year-old gamer who turned advocate for victims of such accusations, emphasizes the importance of fighting the harassment. After witnessing the distress inflicted on Darim and others, he rallied support for her and offered legal assistance against the online abuse.
Moreover, the reverberations of these witch hunts extend beyond the gaming industry, with some female professionals getting fired from their jobs after facing online scrutiny. The oppressive atmosphere has cultivated “quiet feminism,” where women feel compelled to suppress their beliefs, evidenced by the declining percentage of women identifying as feminists in society—dropping from 33% to 24% recently.
This climate of fear is further exacerbated by companies and authorities bowing to the intimidation tactics wielded by their critics, particularly during marketing strategies that aim to avoid association with feminist imagery.
As the backlash culminated in an attack on a woman named Jigu—who was targeted for simply possessing short hair—her story highlights the dangers women face in society. The assailant's grim words during the assault revealed a glaring issue, breeding further violence under the guise of anti-feminism.
Calls for legal reform are echoing through feminist communities as they strive for a unified front against discrimination. With confidence waning among women, the struggle for equality appears more daunting than ever.
Minsung posits that to quell the harassment, companies and institutions must stand firm against these unfounded accusations that empower the instigators. Only by dismantling their influence can the gaming industry and society move towards a safer and more equitable future where women can express their rights without fear.
