Male K-Pop Group Criticized After News Of Being First Idol Group To Hold China Concert Since Alleged Unofficial K-Wave Ban

A fourth-generation K-Pop group is set to be the first to perform in China since the alleged ban on Korean content.

Although it was never confirmed after Korea deployed the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a US missile defense system, many believed Korean content within the country had been effectively restricted. Recently, there have been reports about this being lifted as more idols have made appearances in China.

China To Reportedly Lift The Ban On Korean Content

Yet, EPEX‘s announcement has seemingly confirmed that the discourse on the alleged ban could be changing.

Members of EPEX | @the_EPEX/X

On social media, it was announced that EPEX would be holding a solo concert in China, marking the first idol group to hold a concert in 9 years.

[🎫]
2025 EPEX CONCERT <青春匮乏＞ in 福州 공연 안내

🔗 https://t.co/gTHXB3U5a6#EPEX #이펙스 #Eight_Apex #青春匮乏 #위시 #금동현 #뮤 #아민 #백승 #에이든 #예왕 #제프 pic.twitter.com/5eqFU7FNPG

— EPEX Official (@the_EPEX) April 28, 2025

Yet, it was met with some criticism from netizens under the post.

傻逼滚 https://t.co/Q9dXFbdufw

— yaaaayaaa (@yaaaayaaayxh) April 28, 2025

Dumbf*ck, get lost.

暑假来北方做不做得到😃全站席还全都一千上下的话就滚回去好吗好的👌🏻 https://t.co/qn1LZC9uSS

— Mifa2n^ (@yifan673943) April 28, 2025

Can you come to the North during the summer? If it’s $1,000 all standing, then get lost, okay? Okay.

滚回去谢谢 https://t.co/Sc5m41Jyiu

— fann (@fann36192539947) April 28, 2025

Get lost, thank you.

谁允许的？？c9你穷的吃不起饭了吗？？当第一个来内地开演唱会的韩团你不怕被骂死吗？？？你怎么想的😅能不能滚 https://t.co/xMMyKGhfSg

— DaDa (@TAKARUI121) April 28, 2025

Who allowed this?? C9, are you so poor that you can’t even buy food?? You’re not scared to get criticized as the first Korean group to have a concert in Mainland China? What’s with your way of thinking? Can you get lost?

The concert is set for 31 May.