Expectations are rising in the Korean music industry about a possible Hallyu ban easing by China. The news comes as Kep1er prepares to hold the first K-pop concert in mainland China in nine years. This concert will take place on September 13 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, marking a potential thaw in restrictions.
Kep1er, a girl group managed by CJ ENM’s WakeOne and Klap Entertainment, will perform at the Fujian Meeting Hall. The venue can hold up to 1,500 people, but organizers plan to limit attendance to about 1,000. Chinese authorities approved the concert in July, signaling official support. The event is expected to attract large crowds, requiring coordination with public security agencies.
The group debuted in early 2022 through the audition show “Girls Planet 999.” Kep1er consists of seven members, including one Chinese and one Japanese member. The group has performed in Japan, Macao, and Taiwan, gaining international recognition before this concert.
This concert gains extra significance due to the timing.Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in late October.This will be his first visit to Korea in 11 years. Many industry insiders interpret the timing as a sign that Beijing might begin relaxing its long-standing restrictions on Korean entertainment.
The Hallyu ban easing follows China’s unofficial ban on Korean cultural content, imposed in 2016. The ban responded to South Korea’s deployment of the US-led THAAD missile defense system. Since then, K-pop groups have been barred from holding concerts in China, although fan meetings and pop-up stores have been allowed occasionally.
For example, Blackpink recently hosted a large pop-up tour in China, with events in cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu, and Beijing. However, none of these stops included live concerts, underscoring ongoing limits. Despite optimism, industry insiders urge caution. In May, boy group EPEX planned a concert in Fuzhou but canceled it three weeks prior. Similarly, Korean indie band Say Sue Me called off a Beijing concert last July due to uncertainty.
One executive at a major K-pop agency said, “People are hopeful, especially with Xi’s upcoming visit, but the Chinese market remains unpredictable.” They added that political issues could close doors again even if restrictions ease. The possibility of Hallyu ban easing excites fans and industry players alike, but many remain watchful for further developments.
