Just as hopes were rising for a thaw in China’s long-standing restrictions on Korean pop culture, K-pop boy group EPEX has announced the postponement of their China concert, reigniting fears that the so-called easing of the “Hallyu ban” may have been premature.
The group was scheduled to perform their solo show, “2025 EPEX 3rd Concert: Youth Chapter in Fuzhou,” on May 31 in Fuzhou, China. This event had drawn particular attention as it would have marked the first Korean group concert in mainland China in nine years—a symbolic milestone following years of cultural freeze stemming from geopolitical tensions.
Why Was the Concert Postponed?
According to multiple industry insiders, the performance had received official approval, signaling what many believed to be the beginning of a renewed era for Korea-China cultural exchange. However, the green light triggered a wave of scams and impersonation attempts, with fake organizers and ticketing operations emerging rapidly within China.
Fearing potential harm to fans and stakeholders, Chinese authorities reportedly intervened, leading to the concert’s abrupt postponement. While no new date has been confirmed, EPEX’s agency, C9 Entertainment is said to be in ongoing discussions with local event partners to reschedule the show.
A Hallyu Hope Crushed?
The concert’s approval had been widely celebrated within the Korean entertainment industry, as it appeared to break the ice that had lingered since 2016, when China imposed the Hallyu ban in response to South Korea’s deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system.
The ban led to a virtual halt in Korean entertainment content in China, including the blocking of dramas, music shows, variety appearances, and K-pop concerts. The last major K-pop tour before the ban was held by BIGBANG in 2015.
EPEX’s scheduled concert was seen as a breakthrough, especially since all members are Korean—a crucial detail given that previous minor performances in China typically involved mixed-nationality acts or fanmeet-style events.
While the postponement is officially attributed to “local circumstances,” industry watchers are cautiously interpreting this as a red flag for future Korean acts eyeing China as a concert destination.
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