China is among the biggest fans of South Korean stars, but its recent ban for Korean entertainers may pave the way to the end of Korean wave in the country. Chinese authorities mandated its broadcaster's entertainment division to ban K-Pop idols or South Korean stars to appear on screen.
A recent survey showed that over four-fifths of China population are supporting the ban, China's state news agency, Xinhua reported. It reflects the Chinese people's love of their country over the fame of entertainers from overseas.
Korean wave is big in both China and Japan with China contributing much of South Korea's cultural export, which surged by 13.2 percent, thanks to China's fandom over its stars. Though the country's total export plummeted by 8 percent, such rise gave way to thousands of jobs and many other benefits. For instance, one 2014 Korean soap generated almost $500 million in the economy, like cosmetic sales and tourism, Bloomberg reported.
After a decade of South Korean stars gracing TV and movie screens in China, the act came as strange but not difficult to understand. The relationship between South Korea and China has taken an unexpected turn when the former approved the deployment of United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system on its grounds. The purpose is to deter North Korea but China is personally offended.
During Beijing's commemoration of the end of world war 2 in Asia in Sept. 2015 had South Korean President Park Geun Hye among the country's VIP guests. Amidst tanks, veterans and troops, Park was prominently alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewing the parade.
As a U.S. partner, it was quite odd for a South Korean leader to grace a major military display in China. However, China is the largest trade partner of South Korea. Having fought against Japan in history is one of the facts that makes their relationship go beyond economic purposes.
For instance, China erected in 2013 a statue of Korean assassin, former Japanese colonial administrator in Korea, Ito Hirobumi in Harbin. The act was praised in South Korea and China but condemned by Japan.
Needless to say, the deployment of THAAD does not get the approval of China who strongly believes it can damage their security interests and break the region's strategic balance. The X-band radar of THAAD can spy on Chinese territory and its military activities. While the entertainment industry is shying away from politics, the situation becomes inevitable in China where authorities implement restrictions if they see the need.
Two concerts in Shanghai this month of popular South Korean boy band EXO featured in the clip below are also canceled.