History of 4B movement in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 8, 2024

4B, a radical feminist movement originating in South Korea around 2019, advocates for women's abstention from traditional relationships and societal expectations. Its core tenets include refusing to date, marry, or engage in sexual relations with men, as well as rejecting motherhood. This movement represents a departure from conventional societal norms, signifying a shift in perspectives on women's roles and challenging established patriarchal structures. By rejecting traditional relationships, 4B participants seek to liberate themselves from perceived societal constraints and redefine women's autonomy. The movement's emergence in South Korea reflects the country's evolving social landscape and the growing discourse surrounding gender equality.

1982: Birth Year of Kim Ji-young

This year marks the birth of the fictional character Kim Ji-young, the namesake of the influential novel "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," which served as an inspiration for the 4B movement and other feminist movements in South Korea.

2005: UnniNetwork Promotes "Bihon"

In 2005, the feminist activist group UnniNetwork began promoting "bihon" (single) as a political agenda to challenge the traditional emphasis on marriage in Korea.

2006: #MeToo Movement Origins

The #MeToo movement originated in the United States in 2006.

2016: "Escape the Corset" Movement Begins

The "Escape the Corset" movement started in 2016, inspiring the later 4B movement. It called for women to liberate themselves from various forms of oppression, including beauty standards.

2017: Early Stages of 4B on Femi Wiki

Around 2017, the term 4B emerged within Korean feminist circles on Twitter and Femi Wiki, a Korean feminist Wiki site, defined it as 'The motto of radical feminism, which means 'non-marriage, non-procreation, non-relationship, non-sex.'

2017: #MeToo Movement Gains Global Momentum

In 2017, the #MeToo movement gained significant traction globally, including in South Korea, where it empowered women to share their experiences of sexual harassment and violence.

2018: 4B Movement Continued Development

Between 2017 and 2018, the 4B principles were being articulated in online feminist groups, laying the groundwork for the movement's later emergence.

2019: 4B Movement Gains Traction

In 2019, the 4B movement claimed to have 4,000 members. Proponents like Jung Se-young and Baeck Ha-na criticized marriage for reinforcing traditional gender roles.

2019: Origins of the 4B Movement

The 4B ("Four Nos") movement, a radical feminist movement, originated in South Korea in 2019. Its proponents refuse to date, marry, or have sex with men, or have children.

2019: 4B Movement's Rise on Social Media

The 4B movement gained wider recognition on Twitter and various feminist social media accounts in 2019. Many members identified as "anonymous women," reflecting a common practice in Korean digital feminist movements.

2022: Survey on Childbearing Preferences

A 2022 survey revealed that 65% of South Korean women and 48% of men did not want children, highlighting the country's declining fertility rate and its potential demographic consequences.