In South Korea, online gaming isn’t just about avatars and quests; it can also spark online outrage and aggression. Recently, Darim, a female animator for the popular game MapleStory, faced a tsunami of threats when a minor animation detail was misinterpreted as a feminist gesture. In a trailer she posted, a female character’s hand positioning drew criticism reminiscent of a radical feminist sign from years earlier, leading to death threats and demands for her dismissal.
Sadly, this incident is part of a wider backlash against women asserting feminist views online. Many female game developers find themselves targeted, leading to a troubling culture where men hunt for any perceived slights against masculinity. Groups of male gamers unite to threaten, harass, and attempt to sabotage women's careers under the guise of defending their interests.
Minsung Kim, a young male gamer who opposes these assaults, founded an organization dedicated to supporting women who are victims of these online campaigns. He emphasizes that anti-feminist movements have gained traction, emboldened by companies that sway under pressure from vocal groups. Some studios, like Darim's, have gone to extremes by editing out hand gestures from their games to avoid conflict.
The strife extends beyond online forums, with incidents of violence against women increasing, like the attack on a woman named Jigu, simply for her appearance. These aggressions reinforce the pervasive fear, pushing many women to hide their feminist beliefs to avoid harassment or violence.
Despite these challenges, some brave women, like Jigu, have started claiming their identities as feminists, seeking to connect with others who’ve faced similar struggles. Experts urge for legal protections and a cultural shift to stand against the rampant misogyny, underscoring that while the voices against feminism may be loud, they represent just a fraction of the male population.
