GS25 Incident Rekindles Gender Conflict
Claims of Victimhood Beyond Misandry and Misogyny
[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Jeongyun Lee] GS25 has recently become a battleground for gender conflicts. This arose after allegations that a symbol used in a promotional poster was associated with 'Megalia,' a female-centered community known for disparaging men. Although the poster was revised and an apology was posted on social media (SNS), the controversy continues to spread. Male-dominated communities have initiated boycotts against GS25 and even campaigns to drive down its stock price. Additionally, a petition has appeared on the Blue House's national petition platform demanding the cancellation of GS25's PX contract with military bases.
Controversies over misogyny have erupted in various places. Some netizens claim that the subtitle "Heobeoheobeo" used during a meal scene in the July 12, 2022 episode of KBS2's variety show '2 Days & 1 Night' in Ulleungdo, Gyeongbuk, constitutes misogynistic behavior. "Heobeoheobeo" is an internet neologism with an unclear origin. However, some men argue that it implies a derogatory meaning targeting Korean men as gluttonous eaters. The popular variety show 'Delicious Guys' also faced criticism for using this term in subtitles. Besides "Heobeoheobeo," another neologism, "Ojooeokgae," which is said to belittle male sperm count, is also claimed to be a misogynistic expression.
Beyond conflicts over neologisms, female entertainers such as comedian Park Narae and broadcaster Kim Mina have sparked controversies over their adult-themed remarks and behaviors, which have been accused of promoting misogyny. Despite apologies, demands for their removal from programs continue.
Currently, gender conflicts have shifted from women advocating against wage discrimination and the glass ceiling in society to men perceiving these issues as reverse discrimination, reacting strongly against expressions or behaviors they suspect of misogyny. In male-centered communities, posts with sentiments like "Avoid feminists" and "Men are the victims" are common. Men also claim victimization related to issues such as mandatory military service and the illegal distribution of nude videos of about 1,000 men on social media platforms.
Such gender conflicts have spread beyond the general social atmosphere to affect adolescents as well. Particularly in coeducational middle and high schools, conflicts between male and female students are intensifying. Students are reacting sensitively to gender issues, leading to extreme gender conflicts among them. When gender issues arise, students?who are the main consumers of SNS platforms like YouTube?form opposing groups of feminism and anti-feminism within schools, resulting in confrontations.
High school teacher Jeong (34) said, "Beyond simple topics like men's military service and women's pregnancy, sensitive gender issues frequently cause conflicts, putting teachers in difficult situations. Since the curriculum cannot keep pace with changes in sexual awareness, schools are unable to properly address gender conflicts among students."
Experts explain that some extreme claims are overrepresented and appear as if they represent the whole, intensifying gender conflicts. Professor Myungho Lim of Dankook University's Department of Psychology stated, "It is true that gender conflicts and discrimination against women exist, but some individuals seem to incite hatred and excessively criticize the other side. In difficult economic situations or when employment is hard to find, people tend to project their suffering onto minorities or women to gain a sense of superiority." He added, "With the development of mass media, some opinions are easily highlighted and mistaken as the majority view, which leads to this phenomenon."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
