Just as hopes were increasing for a beam in China’s longtime restrictions on Corean pop culture, K-Pop Boy Group Epex announced the postponement of their concert in porcelainrekindle the fears that the so -called loosening of the “ban of Hallyu” may have been premature.
The group was scheduled to perform their solo show, “2025 Epex 3rd concert: Chapter Youth in Fuzhou,” ON May 31st In Fuzhou, China. This event had attracted particular attention as it would mark the First Korean group concert in continental China in nine years—A symbolic milestone after years of cultural freezing deriving from geopolitical tensions.
Why was the concert postponed?
According to several insiders, the performance had received official approval, reporting what many believed to be the beginning of a renewed era for the cultural exchange of Korea-China. However, green light triggered a Wave of scams and attempts of imitationWith fake organizers and ticketing operations that quickly emerge in China.
Fearing potential damage to fans and interested parties, According to reports, the Chinese authorities intervenedbringing to the sudden postponement of the concert. Although no new date has been confirmed, the Epex agency, Entertainment C9 It is said that in progress discussions with the partners of local events to reprogram the show.
A hope of crushed Hallyu?
The approval of the concert had been widely celebrated in the Korean entertainment sector, as it seemed to break the ice that had been linked since then 2016When China imposed the Hallyu ban In response to the deposit of South Korea of the United States Thaad Missilistic Defense System.
The prohibition led to a virtual stop in Korean entertainment content in China, including the blocking of dramas, musical shows, apparitions of varieties and K-pop concerts. The last important K-Pop tour before the ban was held BIG BANG In 2015.
The programmed concert of Epex has been seen as a turning point, above all because all members are Korean, a crucial detail since the previous minor performances in China generally involved acts of mixed nationality or Fanmeet -style events.
While the postponement is officially attributed to “local circumstances”, the observers of the sector are interpreting it with caution as a red flag For future Korean acts that observe China as a concert destination.
