“Feminism is like a light to me”: The collective process of feminist awakening among young female college students in South Korea

Abstract

Amidst the global resurgence and popularization of feminism and the increasing prominence of digital and neoliberal feminism, feminism in Korea has also experienced a notable resurgence in popularity and a majority of Korean women in their twenties actively embrace feminist beliefs and ideas. Scholarly discussions on digital and neoliberal feminism among young women have reached a broader consensus on an individualized approach in the formation and practice of feminism. Examining this conceptual matter within a distinctive local Korean setting, the study delves into the collective journey of young female college students who actively participate in feminist practices and experience a transformative transition to feminists. The analysis demonstrates that female college students feel awakened as feminists by engaging in small practices in their daily lives and actively learning about feminism within the collective campus environment.