Understanding Idaenam: The Shifting Political Landscape of South Korean Men in Their 20s
In recent years, the South Korean political landscape has been reshaped by a distinct demographic phenomenon known as idaenam. While the term literally translates to "men in their twenties," its usage has evolved far beyond a simple age descriptor. Today, it serves as a powerful sociopolitical label used to describe a specific group of young men characterized by their unique ideological leanings and their complex relationship with modern social movements.
To understand the current climate in South Korea, one must understand the tension between the idaenam and their social and political antonym, the idaenyeo (women in their 20s). This gendered divide has become a central pillar of contemporary Korean electoral politics.
The Origins of the Idaenam Phenomenon
The term idaenam (an abbreviation of isipdae namseong) began to gain significant traction in late 2018. This emergence coincided with a sharp decline in the approval ratings of the Moon Jae-in administration. A striking gender gap appeared in public opinion polls: while President Moon maintained a high approval rating of 63.5% among women in their 20s, his support among men in the same age group plummeted below 30%—the lowest rating among all age groups, even falling below more traditionally conservative elderly demographics.
Political analysts, such as Han Gui Young, have noted that men in their 20s exhibited the most conservative subjective ideological orientations and evaluations of presidential performance. The term's usage exploded during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-elections, when the candidate Oh Se-hoon secured over 70% of the vote from men in this age bracket.
Core Beliefs and Social Perspectives
A defining characteristic of the idaenam demographic is a strong negative tendency toward feminism. Many within this group express intense opposition to what they perceive as misandry (the hatred of men). This sentiment has led some observers to compare the movement to the "Angry Young Men" described in Susan Faludi's 1991 work, Backlash.
Key social perspectives held by this group include:
- Opposition to Affirmative Action: A 2021 survey by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea revealed that 70% of men in their 20s opposed affirmative action policies for women, often viewing gender quotas as a form of discrimination.
- LGBT Rights: Statistics from 2021 indicate that men in their 20s and 30s are less receptive to LGBT rights compared to the "386 Generation" (men in their 40s and 50s), though they remain more receptive than men over the age of 60.
Idaenam in the Political Arena
The idaenam have become a critical voting bloc that political parties strive to capture, often through platforms of conservatism or populism. During the 2022 presidential election, both major candidates—Yoon Suk-yeol of the People Power Party and Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea—adopted stances critical of feminism to appeal to this demographic.
Political figures have utilized this divide in various ways:
- Lee Jun-seok: As the former leader of the People Power Party, he was noted for using anti-feminist investigations to secure the idaenam vote.
- Ahn Cheol-soo: The centrist candidate criticized opponents for allegedly promoting misogyny to pander to the group.
- The 2025 Presidential Election: The gender and age divisions remained stark. Lee Jun-seok, running for the Reform Party, won a plurality of 37.2% of the votes from men aged 18–29. In contrast, Lee Jae-myung, who won the election, saw his lowest support among this group at just 24%, while maintaining roughly 70% support among men in their 40s and 50s.
Key Facts
- Definition: Idaenam is an abbreviation for isipdae namseong, referring to South Korean men in their 20s.
- Political Trend: The group is characterized by a significant shift toward political conservatism.
- Gender Gap: There is a documented, sharp divide in political approval between idaenam and idaenyeo (women in their 20s).
- Primary Grievance: A major driver of the movement is opposition to feminism and perceived discriminatory gender quotas.
- Electoral Impact: The group's voting patterns have influenced the platforms of major candidates in the 2022 and 2025 elections.
Summary of Demographic Political Trends
| Demographic Group | Primary Political Tendency | Key Social Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Idaenam (Men in 20s) | Conservative / Populist | Strongly opposed to feminism and gender quotas |
| Idaenyeo (Women in 20s) | Liberal / Progressive | Supportive of feminist policies |
| Men in 40s/50s | Varies (Higher support for Lee Jae-myung) | More receptive to LGBT rights than 20s/30s males |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term "idaenam" actually mean?
It is an abbreviation of isipdae namseong, which literally translates to "man in his twenties." While it is a demographic descriptor, it is now frequently used to describe a specific political and social identity.
Why is there a gender gap among young South Koreans?
The gap emerged prominently around 2018, when approval ratings for the Moon Jae-in administration diverged sharply. Men in their 20s showed high levels of dissatisfaction with feminist-leaning policies, while women in the same age group showed high levels of support.
How do idaenam feel about gender quotas?
Many men in this demographic view gender quotas and affirmative action for women as discriminatory practices rather than tools for equality.
Has the idaenam phenomenon influenced recent elections?
Yes. Candidates in the 2022 and 2025 elections actively adjusted their rhetoric regarding feminism to appeal to this group. For example, Lee Jun-seok successfully captured a plurality of the 18–29 male vote in 2025 by running on a third-party platform.
Is the idaenam group considered conservative?
In terms of subjective ideological orientation and presidential performance evaluation, men in their 20s have been identified as one of the most conservative age groups in South Korea.