Escape the Corset

Korean Women Step Up and Step Out

Authors

  • Sora Robinson CU Boulder Arts and Sciences - Psychology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20253563

Keywords:

Escape the Corset, Feminism, South Korea, Misogyny

Abstract

This manuscript details South Korea’s “Escape the Corset” Movement, a feminist rebellion against societal demands of beauty and expectations of submissiveness.  South Korea has a deep-rooted society of misogyny, informed by a long history of Confucianism and a patriarchal value system that has shaped values, gender roles, and societal norms. This value system contributes to the oppression of women by feeding into a male-dominated society where women are expected to be submissive and subordinate to men, and to adhere to traditional standards of self-presentation and beauty. Describing bold “Escape the Corset” statements like shaving one’s hair or distributing photos of destroyed makeup, as well as “Quiet Feminism” tactics of women’s book groups and discussion circles, the manuscript details how the Escape the Corset movement grew from a few feminist social media posts challenging Korean toxic beauty standards, into a powerful, globally-influential site of feminist resistance that inspires women to break free from rigid social standards.

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Published

2025-04-29

How to Cite

Robinson, S. (2025). Escape the Corset: Korean Women Step Up and Step Out. University of Colorado Honors Journal, 59. https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20253563

Issue

Section

Gender & Ethnic Studies