The sudden postponement of K-pop girl group Kep1er’s fan concert in China has raised renewed attention within the industry.
The event, initially scheduled for September 13 in Fuzhou, was called off on August 27 by the group’s agency, KLAP Entertainment. The agency cited “unavoidable local circumstances,” and a new date for the concert has not yet been announced.
The concert was notable for being the first solo show by a K-pop girl group in mainland China in nearly ten years, following years of restrictions on Korean entertainment.
Kep1er, with its multinational lineup, was among the first K-pop groups to secure a performance permit last year amid early signs of easing restrictions. The planned event was designed as a hybrid of a fan meeting and concert, featuring 15 songs.
The postponement adds to a pattern of canceled or delayed K-pop shows in China, highlighting ongoing uncertainty. APEX’s Fuzhou concert, originally set for May, was also postponed, and other large-scale events, including Say Sue Me’s Beijing concert, faced cancellations.
Although some hoped for a relaxation of THAAD-related restrictions, ongoing political and regulatory challenges continue to affect the return of live performances.
The THAAD ban refers to China’s restrictions on Korean entertainment following South Korea’s deployment of the U.S.-made THAAD missile defense system in 2016. China viewed the system as a security threat and responded by limiting K-pop concerts, TV shows, and films.
While some restrictions have eased in recent years, political sensitivities remain, causing delays or cancellations of Korean performances in China, as seen with recent events like Kep1er’s postponed fan concert.
Kep1er is currently promoting their new mini-album, BUBBLE GUM, which came out on August 19. The album sold over 142,000 copies in its first week, marking the group’s sixth-best debut week in terms of sales.
