Signs of Easing Chinese Restrictions on K-Hallyu, Industry Responds Cautiously

Expectations for a relaxation of restrictions on K-Hallyu have risen following President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to China. During a meeting with journalists in Shanghai, Lee expressed hope that China would gradually ease its current constraints on K-Hallyu content.

The restrictions imposed by China since 2016 were introduced unofficially after the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system. These measures prevented approvals for K-pop performances and restricted the broadcasting of Korean entertainment content. They have remained in effect for nearly 10 years.

The industry’s reaction is cautious. Last year, at least six K-pop performances were canceled or postponed. On May 31, EPEX received approval to hold a small-scale event in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, but it was indefinitely postponed three weeks before the scheduled date due to “local circumstances.” This had been the first approval for a K-pop performance in nine years.

Similar situations have repeated since then. In July, the indie band Say Sue Me failed to obtain final approval. In September, the girl group Kep1er indefinitely postponed a fan event in Fujian. The biggest setback came when the Dream Concert was canceled in the same month. The large-scale K-pop joint concert scheduled in Sanya, Hainan Province, which was expected to draw around 40,000 attendees, was called off two weeks before it was set to take place due to the lack of final approval.

Signals of potential relaxation had appeared earlier. In November, Lee voiced support for easing restrictions on cultural exchanges during the APEC summit held in Gyeongju. At that time, he introduced J.Y. Park, co-chair of the presidential committee for cultural exchanges, to Chinese leaders. This was interpreted as a symbolic effort to resume cultural exchanges between the two countries.

However, repeated cancellations and rejections of approvals are weakening the industry’s enthusiasm for pursuing K-pop performances in China. There is now a growing sense that conducting business there remains uncertain.