Online Witch Hunts Target Feminism in South Korean Gaming Community

The backlash against feminism in South Korea has led to violent witch hunts against women in the gaming industry. Female developers like Darim have faced severe online harassment over accusations of feminism, impacting their careers and safety, while anti-feminist sentiments are fostered by young male gamers exploiting gestures to claim offense.

In a troubling reflection of the rise of anti-feminism, a female game developer known only as Darim faced a torrent of online abuse following the release of a trailer for her animation in South Korea's popular video game, MapleStory. Misinterpreted by angry male gamers as a symbol of feminism—a hand gesture reminiscent of a past radical feminist community—her work sparked thousands of death threats and calls for her termination.

Darim posted her pride in the new character design late at night, only to be met with an onslaught of vile messages shortly after. "You've just sabotaged your job," one threat declared. The virulence of the backlash highlighted a growing trend where men in the South Korean gaming community attack women suspected of feminist beliefs. Many women fear admitting to feminist views due to the harassment, with gender discrimination remaining pervasive in a country grappling with its deeply rooted patriarchy.

As the backlash towards feminism intensifies, social media has become a battleground, with young male gamers leading witch hunts against women in the industry. A former gamer and now activist, Minsung Kim, launched an organization to support victims of these campaigns, which aim to vilify and silence women through social media intimidation. Darim, whose production studio distanced itself from her due to the aggressive backlash, noted, "I thought I was going to be fired, and I'd never be able to work in animation again."

This phenomenon is not isolated. In other cases, female illustrators and employees faced similar treatment, with companies often acquiescing to angry mobs of online vigilantes. Companies have altered game designs, removing gestures that might resemble the 'finger-pinching' gesture to avoid backlash, emphasizing the extent of anti-feminist sentiment within corporate structures.

The impact of feminism in South Korea has been complicated by a generation of men who feel threatened by women's rising voices. This sentiment has been fueled by an anti-feminist political climate, where past administrations have sought to downplay gender discrimination. A study conducted last year revealed a significant decline in women identifying as feminists—from 33% in 2019 to just 24% in 2024, reflecting fear and societal pressure.

In the starkest case of violence, a woman named Jigu sustained serious injuries from an attack motivated by her appearance, with her assailant claiming to represent an anti-feminist group. The incident resulted in the first conviction of misogynistic violence recognizing the attack as gender-motivated, underlining the real-life consequences of anti-feminist rhetoric.

Efforts to lessen the harsh repercussions for women voicing feminist beliefs are sparse, with legal protections lacking in South Korea. Activists are advocating for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and a cultural shift within companies and the broader society to address and combat these brutal instances of online and offline violence against women. Ultimately, the successful dismantling of these witch hunts hinges on corporate responsibility and societal courage to stand against intimidation and harassment.