On December 12, Chinese fans were stunned by the sudden announcement that LE SSERAFIM’s highly anticipated Fan Sign event in Shanghai, originally scheduled for December 14, had been canceled just 48 hours earlier. The decision was announced by event organizer Makestar via Weibo, citing “uncontrollable circumstances” as the reason for the cancellation.
The statement, while apologetic, did little to calm the anger of fans who had already booked travel and accommodation to participate in the rare fan interaction. Makestar expressed regret for the inconvenience and explained that the decision came after repeated consultations with multiple parties. However, the vague reasoning only fueled further speculation and outrage online.
A growing number of netizens suspect that political tensions, particularly between China and Japan, played a role in the cancellation. With two Japanese members—SAKURA (Miyawaki Sakura) and KAZUHA (Nakamura Kazuha)—in the group, fans believe that the group’s mixed Korean-Japanese lineup may have become a sensitive issue in the current climate. Recent cancellations involving Japanese artists, including superstar Ayumi Hamasaki, lend weight to these concerns.
Others point to the lingering effects of “Korean Wave restrictions” (Halyu ban) in China, which have historically limited Korean celebrities from holding public events. The intersection of these political dynamics has put LE SSERAFIM, as a hybrid Japan-Korea group, in a particularly precarious position.
Adding to the frustration is the moment of cancellation. Comments flooded the official post, with many fans calling for accountability. “Why wait until the last minute?” one user fumed. “We spent money on flights and hotels. Aren’t the fans’ efforts and money worth nothing?” Others accused organizers of poor planning, saying the risks should have been considered long before announcing the event.
While LE SSERAFIM remains silent on the matter, this incident highlights the current challenges K-pop groups face when navigating cross-border fandoms in an era of complex geopolitical sensitivities.
Sources: Yahoo News
