Epex Set to Perform First All-Korean K-Pop Concert in China Since 2016

EPEX, an all-Korean K-pop boy group, will perform a solo concert in Fuzhou, China on May 31, marking the first such event by a fully Korean idol group since China’s unofficial ban on K-pop performances began in 2016. This milestone is fueling speculation that Beijing may be easing its restrictions on South Korean entertainment, previously imposed in retaliation for South Korea allowing the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system. While individual Korean artists and groups with foreign members have performed in China, EPEX's concert is notable as the first by a full K-pop group in nine years. The group’s persistent engagement with Chinese fans through media collaborations and fan events is seen as contributing to this breakthrough. Industry watchers are cautiously optimistic that this could signal a broader reopening of the Chinese market to major K-pop acts, though some note the true test will be whether authorities allow larger-scale concerts by top-tier groups. EPEX’s concert is part of their ongoing 'Youth Shortage' Asia tour, reflecting K-pop's enduring popularity and its potential resurgence in mainland China.