K-Pop Gears Up for China Comeback After Decade-Long Ban

South Korea’s top two K-pop labels are preparing for a long-awaited reopening of the Chinese market, with Beijing widely expected to lift its defacto ban on Korean pop performances later this year.

Hybe Co., the company behind K-pop sensation BTS, opened its first office in China last month, signaling renewed confidence in the market. Rival SM Entertainment Co. unveiled a strategic partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment Group to launch a Chinese idol group and deepen cooperation on music businesses in China. This week, Tencent Music agreed to buy a nearly 10% stake in SM Entertainment for about $180 million, marking a rare Chinese investment into South Korea in recent years.