Giving up men is becoming a trend! And it all started with the 4B movement. In Korean, 4B stands for four “no’s”: no dating men, no sex with men, no marrying men, and no having children with men. It’s a bold feminist movement created by Korean feminists to break away from the toxic patriarchal system and build a community that truly centers on women and their needs.

In this episode, we spoke with Haein Shim—a passionate women’s rights activist, documentary producer, and freelance journalist—to unpack what the 4B movement is all about and why it’s resonating so deeply with young women in Korea and beyond. Haein also shares her personal journey from being an anti-feminist to fully embracing feminist ideals, and talks about how the 4B movement connects with other feminist movements like the Escape the Corset movement.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss why the 4B movement has been controversial in Korea, and explore the real challenges that feminists face in a society that often misunderstands and misrepresents their motives. We discuss the power dynamics at play and highlight why reclaiming women’s agency and autonomy is more important now than ever. Haein also shares how the 4B movement is very inclusive compared to other feminist movements, especially for women from lower socio-economic or low income backgrounds, or who don’t have access to a college education.
Haein opens up about her own experiences with societal pressure and why she believes prioritising women’s lives and choices is essential for change. We also challenge the Western perspective on feminism, emphasising the need for a more inclusive understanding that respects diverse experiences.

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Intro Music: Picture Perfect Gurl by SPARKZ
(The first three episodes: Out Loud by Beat Mekanik (Free Music Archive | CC BY))
Outro Music: 2010 Pop by Akira Sora (Free Music Archive | CC BY)