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4B movement

The 4B movement is a South Korean radical feminist movement that promotes refusing dating, marriage, sex, and childbirth with men.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 4B movement is a South Korean radical feminist movement that promotes refusing dating, marriage, sex, and childbirth with men. Also known as the “Four Nos,” it is an informal and decentralized response to patriarchy and gender inequality in South Korea.

Origins

The 4B movement began in South Korea, where it developed among young feminists as a response to sexism, misogyny, and broader gender inequality. Sources place its emergence in the 2010s, and it is commonly described as part of South Korea’s radical feminist activism.

Meaning of 4B

The name comes from four Korean words beginning with bi, meaning “no” or “not”: bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae, and bisekseu. Together, they represent refusal of marriage, childbirth, dating, and sex with men.

Beliefs and practice

The movement asks participants to opt out of heterosexual relationships and reproduction as a rejection of patriarchal expectations. It is often presented as a set of personal commitments rather than a formal membership structure.

Public attention and spread

The 4B movement has drawn wider international attention through online discussion and news coverage, especially in the 2020s. Some reports say it has spread in visibility beyond South Korea, including in the United States and China.

Key facts

  • 4B stands for four Korean terms beginning with bi, meaning “no”, representing refusal of dating, sex, marriage, and childbirth with men.
  • The movement originated in South Korea as a feminist response to misogyny, patriarchal norms, and gender inequality.
  • It is informal and online-based, lacking a single leader or centralized structure.
  • Some reporting indicates the movement has gained attention outside South Korea, including in the United States and China.
  • The movement is a form of lifestyle or political refusal rather than a coordinated campaign.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may encounter the 4B movement through international news, social media, and discussions about feminism, dating, and reproductive politics. The provided sources do not show a formal Canadian branch or organization.[6][7][9]

Frequently asked questions

What is the 4B movement?
The 4B movement is a South Korean feminist movement built around refusing marriage, childbirth, dating, and sex with men.
Where did the 4B movement start?
It started in South Korea.
What does 4B stand for?
It refers to four Korean terms beginning with bi, meaning “no”: bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae, and bisekseu.
Why is the 4B movement happening?
It is presented as a response to patriarchy, misogyny, gender inequality, and violence against women in South Korea.
Is the 4B movement in Canada?
There is no evidence in the provided sources of a formal 4B movement in Canada, but the idea has received international online attention and discussion outside South Korea.
What are the rules of the 4B movement?
Its four core rules are no dating men, no sex with men, no marriage with men, and no childbirth with men.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4B_movement
    Supports: Basic definition, origin in South Korea, and the four tenets
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/4B-movement
    Supports: Definition as a South Korean feminist movement with four refusals
  3. The Week — https://www.theweek.com/culture-life/what-is-south-korea-4b-movement
    Supports: Origin in South Korea, spread beyond South Korea, and meaning of the four principles
  4. Sky News — https://news.sky.com/story/what-is-the-4b-movement-13250004
    Supports: Origin, meaning of 4B, and core pledges
  5. CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4b-movement-south-korea-united-states-election-trump/
    Supports: Core refusals and explanation of the movement as a response to patriarchal and misogynistic culture
  6. Cosmopolitan — https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a62843323/what-is-the-4b-movement/
    Supports: Informal, decentralized nature and the four Korean terms
  7. Yonsei University / Elsevier Pure — https://yonsei.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/the-4b-movement-envisioning-a-feminist-future-with/in-a-non-reprod
    Supports: Academic description of the movement’s four Korean terms and feminist framing