China Plans K-Pop Concert Series to Boost Consumption Amid US Trade Tensions

China is signaling a major policy shift by easing its unofficial ban on K-pop, allowing Korean idol group Epex to perform in Fuzhou on May 31—the first such concert since 2016—and planning large-scale events like the Dream Concert in Hainan later this year. This move comes amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and weak domestic consumption, with Chinese authorities now promoting cultural events to stimulate spending in sectors like tourism and hospitality. Industry analysts see this as a 'structural turning point' for K-pop, which had been restricted after South Korea deployed the U.S.-backed THAAD missile defense system, sparking a years-long freeze in cultural exchanges. The policy change is also interpreted as a diplomatic gesture aimed at improving ties with South Korea and rebuilding regional goodwill. While some Chinese citizens remain wary due to past political disputes and cultural concerns, the reopening of the entertainment market could revive K-pop's significant revenue streams and foster renewed cooperation between the two countries. Major K-pop acts are reportedly being considered for future tours in China, potentially marking the end of a near decade-long cultural freeze.