Will G-Dragon be first to benefit from eased hallyu ban? Eyes on Hangzhou exhibition

G-Dragon performs during a welcome dinner for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at the Lahan Select hotel in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday.

Following the first Korea-China summit under President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, expectations are rising that Beijing may finally relax its long-standing restrictions on Korean pop culture, known as the hallyu ban.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit dinner in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Oct. 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping personally watched a performance by official promotional ambassador for the event G-Dragon, who is preparing to open a major exhibition in Hangzhou later this month, possibly becoming the first cultural figure to benefit from the thaw.

According to Chinese cultural industry sources on Monday, G-Dragon will hold a media art exhibition titled “Ubermensch” from Nov. 15 to Dec. 7 at Hangzhou Center in Zhejiang Province.

The show, which uses digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to visualize the message of G-Dragon’s third studio album, premiered at The Hyundai Seoul in March before touring Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei and Hong Kong to strong audiences. News of its Hangzhou stop has spread quickly on Chinese social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, fueling excitement among fans.

The exhibition was initially scheduled to begin its world tour in Shanghai in May, with official posters and press materials already distributed.

However, the plan was abruptly delayed, reportedly due to permit issues with Chinese authorities. Industry officials say the organizers have been waiting for the right moment to reschedule the show — aligning its timing with the APEC summit and Xi’s visit to Korea — in hopes of gaining approval for its mainland debut.

The recent summit, during which the two leaders agreed to expand “cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” is seen as a positive sign. If G-Dragon’s Hangzhou exhibition proceeds smoothly, it could serve as an early indicator of a broader easing of China’s restrictions on Korean cultural content.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said after the summit on Nov. 1, “The leaders discussed the importance of expanding exchanges and cooperation in culture.” At the APEC dinner on Friday, Xi was also spotted conversing with President Lee while watching G-Dragon’s performance.

Signs of change are also emerging in China. On Nov. 2, a Chinese business outlet reported that although Beijing has never officially acknowledged the existence of the hallyu ban or announced its “lifting,” the market is sensing a gradual shift.

“Permissions for K-pop artists to perform in mainland China are loosening, and major ticketing platforms are beginning to promote upcoming Korea-China entertainment events,” it said, calling it “a signal of recovery for the industry.”

Still, some observers urge caution. While both leaders expressed support for greater cultural exchange, details of implementation remain uncertain.

An official from a Korean cultural organization in Beijing said, “China clearly recognizes the importance of cultural and human exchanges, so a gradual opening seems likely. But the pace and method are key.”

The official added that while small-scale or controllable events may proceed, it may still take time to fully reopen large commercial pop culture shows.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.