An San, the 20-year-old Korean archer who won three gold medals and set a new
Olympic record, has been criticised by a section of South Koreans for her
hairstyle. However, her supporters, other sports enthusiasts and Korean women
from all walks of life have come out strongly in support of San.

The controversy

Following her win in the Tokyo Olympics archery event, a number of people
on the internet started trolling San for her short hair.

The South Korean Archery Federation has been receiving requests from some
online groups to take away An San’s medals because she is a “short-haired
feminist”.

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It was New York Times reporter Kelly Kasulis who brought this to light on
Twitter where she said: “South Korean Olympic gold medallist in archery, An
San, is being criticized by male netizens for her short hair.”

The New York Times reporter said that there is a “prominent online anti-feminist
movement” in South Korea which is propelling the attack against the Olympic
gold-winning archer.

The trolls

The people criticising An San are being linked to the South Korean website
Ilbe. Ilbe is community of South Korean men largely known for their misogynistic
and homophobic views. It is the home of South Korea’s new far-right movement.

The trolls have flooded the South Korean Archery association’s webpage
asking for her medals to be taken away and saying that her achievements were
paid for by “their taxpayer’s money”.

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It has risen to prominence in the backdrop of South Korea’s turbulent
recent history which has created deep political divides, an unemployment crisis
and a backlash against liberal social values.

San’s response

An San herself has addressed the controversy on Instagram, according to a
report by the Independent. She has written: “While you’re sending messages in
your room driven by your inferiority complex, I’m winning two gold medals at
the Olympics,” according to local media reports.

Outpouring of support

South Korean women have not taken the attacks on An San lying down. Women
have been sharing photos of themselves sporting short hair in support of San,
according to a Reuters report.

More than 6,000 photographs of women in short hair have been posted on
social media according to local media reports.

Further, South Korean politician Sim Sang-jung has also publicly defended
San tweeting: “With that firm look, please shoot through every prejudice in the
world. We stand by your short-cut hair and support you.”