South Korean Gaming Industry Faces Backlash Amid Online Feminist Threats

The fight for feminism in South Korea's gaming industry has led to intense backlash against female creators, with threats and harassment from anti-feminists becoming alarmingly common. The case of an animation worker highlights this chilling effect, as companies cave to pressure and women feel unsafe expressing their beliefs.

In late-night creativity, an animation studio unveiled a trailer for a new MapleStory character, and Darim, whose name is pseudonymous, was excited to share it on social media. However, soon after posting, she became the target of a deluge of vitriolic messages, threatening her life and safety. The storm was unleashed by young male gamers who misinterpreted a character's harmless hand gesture, mistakenly associating it with a controversial feminist symbol.

“I felt overwhelmed; the insults were horrifying,” Darim recounted, detailing how these messages accused her of ruining her career and called for her ousting from the studio. This wasn't merely personal; it was symptomatic of a wider epidemic where South Korean women, especially in gaming, are often subjected to brutal online attacks if they are suspected of holding feminist views.

This incident exemplifies the dangerous climate surrounding feminism in South Korea, especially following a strong anti-feminist backlash in response to rising feminist activism, which began to gain momentum in the mid-2010s. The backlash is fueled by a pervasive belief among many young men that their rights and opportunities are under threat as women advocate for equality.

Minsung Kim, a gamer who once held anti-feminist views but later transformed into a supporter of feminism, outlined the disturbing tactics at play. Those conducting the witch hunts go to great lengths, meticulously scrutinizing the social media accounts of female employees for any evidence of feminism, often turning innocent gestures into accusations of being part of a "man-hating" agenda.

This fear-mongering has repercussions beyond social media; a number of individuals have reportedly lost their jobs, or faced pressure to alter their work to appease male anti-feminists. Darim's studio faced severe backlash, including the removal of their artwork from a major gaming company’s roster, leaving them in a state of panic.

Despite the challenges, some like Minsung are working to support victims of such harassment, urging companies to push back against these demands. However, the trend shows no signs of slowing down, with many women now fearful of declaring themselves feminists at work due to repercussions.

This growing animosity is echoed by alarming figures from recent polls indicating only 24% of women in Korea self-identify as feminists, sharply down from previous years. In workplaces, women are being increasingly targeted—with some being questioned about their feminist views during interviews.

The toxic environment culminated in a disturbing act of violence when a woman named Jigu was assaulted simply for having short hair, which led her attacker to label her a feminist. Jigu’s experience underscores the harsh realities many women face in South Korea, compelled to navigate an unsafe landscape while asserting their identities.

As the anti-feminist sentiment continues to gain traction, industry experts argue for the need for legal protections that can safeguard women from discrimination based on their beliefs. They call for companies and authorities alike to stand against the loud minority of anti-feminists.

In a society where misogyny permeates daily life, the fight for feminism remains fraught with peril, yet determined voices like Jigu's emerge, offering hope and solidarity amidst the chaos, and paving the way for a more inclusive future for women in South Korea's gaming landscape.