This article aims to analyze the causes and effects of the phenomenon of males in their 20s in Korea(“Yi Dae Nam” phenomenon), which has emerged as a political issue since 2019, and to diagnose how it relates to the reality of Korean society.
First, we analyzed the context in which the phenomenon of males in their 20s in Korea has been formed. It was first formed in response to the discussion over fairness of the united ice hockey team between the two Koreas, as well as the backlash against 'net feminism' and criticism of the gender quota system. Conservative media and conservative politicians, led by Chosun Ilbo, actively responded to the voices of males in their 20s, and eventually led to the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family during the presidential election. However, such pledge was against human rights, opposite from the global trend, and the 'fairness' emphasized by Korean males in their 20s does not contain the willingness to improve inequality.
It is worth pointing out that the values that Korean males in their 20s pursue such as fairness and meritocracy are shared by many Koreans in general. In that sense, the phenomenon of males in their 20s in Korea can be seen as a litmus paper of Korean society.