Leah Levi, The 4B Movement in South Korea
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/05/09
Leah Levi, psychologist, sex and dating expert at first explorationships app Flure. With over six years in the dating app industry, she provides expert insights on relationships, intimacy, and self-confidence. Through her personal experience with breast reduction surgery, Leah advocates for body positivity and self-care, empowering individuals to build healthier relationships. She frequently explores topics like relationship patterns, digital-age breakups, and the psychological impact of body image on intimacy. Leah’s work has been featured in leading media outlets, where she shares evidence-based advice on love, dating, and modern relationship dynamics.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: When did the 4B movement become something of note, in general, and for you?
Leah Levi: The 4B movement started gaining momentum around 2019. It started as a reaction to gender inequality in South Korea, gaining momentum after several major cases of violence and discrimination against women. For me, it became impossible to ignore when it started resonating beyond South Korea—women everywhere are rethinking traditional gender roles, especially when it comes to dating, marriage, and motherhood.
Jacobsen: What does the 4B movement mean in its stances, but also its derivatives?
Levi: The 4B movement—short for “Four No’s” (from four Korean words beginning with “bi”) – means no dating, no sex, no marriage, and no childbirth. Women in the movement see these expectations as unfair pressures limiting their independence and life opportunities.
Jacobsen: The 4B movement is a South Korean cultural response. One grounded in the facets of gender inequality and misogyny. What other national movements outside of South Korea reflect this movement?
Japan’s “Parasite Singles” – Women choosing not to marry due to financial and social pressures.
China’s “Leftover Women” (Sheng Nu) Rebellion – Educated, unmarried women rejecting societal pressure to marry.
Western Feminist Movements: In the U.S., following political events like the 2024 presidential election, there’s been a surge of interest in the 4B movement.
Jacobsen: What have been the counter-movements to the 4B Movement?
Levi: In South Korea, the 4B movement has faced backlash, especially from men’s rights activists and anti-feminist groups who see it as an extreme and threatening tradition.
Similar reactions have happened globally, for example, from groups like Red Pill (a controversial online community) and MGTOW (Men Going Their Way). These movements don’t just tell men to avoid relationships – they claim feminism has “ruined” society, spreading conspiracy theories fueled by misogyny and anger toward independent women.
Jacobsen: Trump-era politics is primarily economically motivated, with various derivatives, including co-equal restrictions on public provisions for women, e.g., reproductive rights, etc. How have these contributed to other countries’ women adopting the 4B movement-like activist principles?
Levi: For many, the new administration’s policies feel like a direct attack on women’s autonomy, from attempts to defund Planned Parenthood to the rollback of reproductive healthcare protections. This has pushed some women toward more radical forms of protest, like the 4B movement. When rights feel under threat, women are more likely to reject traditional expectations, including marriage and motherhood, as a way to reclaim control over their lives.
Jacobsen: Some South Korean women cite safety concerns and misogyny as reasons for the adoption of 4B principles. Do these motivations apply more so in the U.S.?
Levi: Yes and no. In the U.S., issues like domestic violence, workplace harassment, and restrictions on reproductive rights are big concerns. Still, they play out differently due to cultural and legal differences.
Jacobsen: High-profile cases reinforced discussions about misogyny. Do these serve as further catalysts for feminist action?
Levi: The 4B Movement began in South Korea, inspired by a tragic 2016 murder in Gangnam, where a man killed a woman out of resentment. Women, there were tired of feeling unsafe and unseen, and 4B became a way to reject those constraints and reclaim their lives.
Pop culture events add fuel to the sentiment. High-profile cases like the recent allegations against P. Diddy remind us that toxic power dynamics still go unchecked, even at the highest levels. Women feel this impact in their everyday lives, and 4B offers a way to stand against these norms.
Jacobsen: What will be the likely long-term consequences of the 4B movement as it expands and evolves, breaks into other smaller movements, and so on, in South Korea?
Levi: The potential 4B movement’s long-term consequences in South Korea could include:
- Policy Changes – The government might introduce new policies to address gender inequality and make marriage and parenting more appealing.
- Shifting Social Norms – Ideas about gender roles, relationships, and family structures could continue evolving, leading to a more independent and self-focused approach to life for many women.
- Lower Birth Rates – South Korea’s declining birth rate could drop even further. A smaller future workforce could impact productivity and slow down economic growth.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Leah.
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