The Korean entertainment industry is hopeful for the lifting of the ban on Korean content in China, with rising stock prices and new projects.
August/10/2025 17:54Related Groups & Members
Expectations in the entertainment industry are rising for the lifting of the ban on Korean content (Korean Wave exclusion). In April, Jaejoong held a special fan meeting in Chongqing, China, and the hip-hop group Homies held a tour in mainland China for the first time in eight years. Trot singer Yoon Soo-hyun was also invited to the 30th anniversary event of the sister cities between Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and Hainan Province, meeting local audiences. The economic ripple effects of the entertainment industry and the rise in stock prices of major listed companies are also attracting attention. Since the possibility of lifting the ban was raised in March-April, stock prices of major entertainment companies have been on the rise. SM Entertainment recorded about a 15% increase in stock price, driven by renewed attention to WayV, which has many Chinese members, while JYP Entertainment saw about a 12% rise due to expectations for BOY STORY, which consists entirely of Chinese members. HYBE also showed over a 10% increase in stock price, supported by expectations for expansion into China and the influence of BTS. The financial and investment sectors interpret this as not a temporary phenomenon but a long-term improvement in performance and re-evaluation of value due to the reopening of the Chinese market. Consequently, the Korean entertainment industry is focusing on the recovery of demand for K-content in China and is further strengthening localization strategies. BOY STORY and WayV are already active in the Chinese market, and recently, A2O MAY, a multinational girl group centered on Chinese members produced by former SM Entertainment chief producer Lee Soo-man, has been gaining attention. Their recently released song "BOSS" topped QQ MUSIC's new song chart. Additionally, in February this year, BLINGONE, composed entirely of Chinese members from the global project "Click the Star," debuted and is active with a remake of KARA's "Mister," further accelerating localization efforts in China. However, there are views that the scrutiny from Chinese authorities will remain strict. In April, there were reports about the planned holding of the "DREAM CONCERT" in China, which raised expectations as a signal for lifting the ban, but there has been no further news on its progress. The delay in preparations for the "DREAM CONCERT" is attributed to the unpredictable policies of Chinese authorities. Rumors have spread that the standards for performance reviews are inconsistent and that only members with foreign nationality or dual nationality can participate, making casting difficult. If the standards are not relaxed, holding the concert will be challenging, leading to a consensus in the industry for a cautious approach. Nevertheless, with a solid K-POP fandom in China and a relaxing atmosphere for performance regulations, local concert planning companies are knocking on the doors of Korean entertainment, which is a positive phenomenon. An industry insider stated, "Perhaps due to expectations for lifting the ban, we have been receiving many offers for concerts and fan meetings in China since the beginning of this year. I have heard that other agencies are in a similar situation," adding, "However, there are also cases where already scheduled performances are canceled or postponed, so there is a cautious atmosphere. We hope to wisely overcome this period through cooperation between the two countries."
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The SMTOWN LIVE 2025 in Tokyo, held on August 9-10, attracted 95,000 fans with performances from 16 artists, celebrating SM Entertainment's 30th anniversary. The event featured rare collaborations and covers, showcasing K-POP's history and the evolution of its artists, including a surprise announcement for a future concert in Fukuoka.
Xiaojun from WayV celebrated his birthday by hosting a lavish dinner for 240 fans at a hot pot restaurant in Seoul, spending approximately 2 million yen. He organized the event himself, inviting fans to enjoy without worrying about costs. The event included a Q&A session and personal interactions, highlighting his deep appreciation for fan support since his debut.
On the afternoon of the 8th, WayV departed from Gimpo International Airport to Japan for the SMTOWN LIVE concert at Tokyo Dome, scheduled for September 9-10, 2025. This information comes from local media coverage. Note that there may be variations in the photos provided. Live viewing and broadcasting of the concert will be available!
SM Entertainment reported impressive Q2 2025 results with sales of 302.9 billion won and operating profit of 47.6 billion won, marking increases of 19.3% and 92.4% respectively. This growth is attributed to expanded sales of new albums and strong performance in concert planning. The company aims to continue its growth through enhanced artist IP activities and global outreach, celebrating milestones for artists like SUPER JUNIOR and BoA.
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