How are online abuse campaigns targeting women in gaming?

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Online Abuse Campaigns Target South Korean Women in Gaming with Coordinated Anti-Feminist Attacks

Women in South Korea's gaming industry are increasingly becoming targets of organised online abuse campaigns that accuse them of feminism. These campaigns, which reflect a growing backlash against feminist views in the country, often lead to harassment and ostracism for perceived feminist leanings, irrespective of whether the women openly identify as feminists. The attacks have escalated to the point of death threats and professional repercussions, as seen in the case of a game animator whose work was removed after a gesture in her animation was misinterpreted.
Misinterpretation of Gestures Fuels Harassment Campaigns

Coordinated online campaigns are leveraging seemingly innocuous elements, such as hand gestures, to label women as feminists and incite abuse. In one instance, a game animator named Darim faced severe harassment, including death threats, after a frame in her work for the video game MapleStory was misinterpreted. The gesture, formed by a thumb and forefinger held close together, was twisted to signify a small penis, and critics subsequently amplified this misinterpretation online, pressuring her employer, Nexon. This led to Nexon removing her work and issuing an apology, although Darim ultimately retained her job with support from an organisation assisting abuse victims.
Organised Anti-Feminist Groups Employ Specific Tactics

Anti-feminist groups in South Korea have become more organised and employ increasingly specific tactics to identify and target women. Kim Min-sung, founder of an organisation supporting victims of abuse, noted that these groups take common hand gestures, which are widely used, and brand them as markers of "evil feminists." These gestures, along with unrelated social media posts, are presented as evidence of feminist leanings, which these groups equate with hostility towards men. Kim's organisation has provided legal aid to victims like Darim and advocated for companies to resist the demands of these abusers.
Distorted Perceptions of Feminism Drive Backlash

The rise in online abuse is partly fuelled by a distorted understanding of feminism among young men, who feel threatened by women's increasing assertiveness. Professor Yang Myung-ji Yang explained that young men often learn about feminism through online forums that present radical caricatures of feminists, leading to a warped perception of the movement. This fear and misunderstanding contribute to a hostile environment for women in male-dominated fields.
Deep-Rooted Gender Discrimination Underpins the Backlash

The intensity of these anti-feminist campaigns is exacerbated by the existing gender inequality in South Korea, which has the widest gender pay gap among OECD countries. Systemic gender discrimination is deeply embedded in the nation's workplaces and society. The backlash significantly intensified in the mid-2010s, following feminist activism that brought attention to issues like hidden-camera crimes and workplace inequalities, sparking fears among some young men about potential shifts in opportunities and social dynamics.

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How are online abuse campaigns targeting women in gaming?

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