EPEX Breaks Barriers with Historic Solo Concert in China After 9-Year Hallyu Ban

K-pop boy group Effects (EPEX) — comprising Wish, Kim Dong-hyun, Mu, Amin, Baek Seung, Eiden, Ye Wang, and Jeff — is making history as the first all-Korean K-pop idol group to hold a solo concert in China since the Hallyu Ban was enforced nearly nine years ago.

On May 31, the group will headline their solo concert ‘Youth Deficiency in Fuzhou’ at MAAQUU X CH8 Livehouse at 7:30 p.m. CST. This groundbreaking event in Fuzhou is already drawing massive attention across Chinese social media.

The hashtag EPEX 福州演唱会 (EPEX Fuzhou Concert) surged to over 15.18 million views in just one day on Weibo. Additionally, interactions, including reposts and comments, have exceeded 30,000, with over 9,000 posts made by Chinese netizens, demonstrating overwhelming enthusiasm for the event.

EPEX’s popularity was reaffirmed as the group climbed to 7th place on Weibo’s real-time entertainment category rankings, with over 180,000 users engaging with content related to the concert. Comments reflect strong local anticipation for not only the concert but also the return of Korean pop acts to Chinese stages.

This concert marks an escalation in EPEX’s growing rapport with Chinese fans. Through photo shoots and interviews in Chinese magazines, along with fan signing events in cities like Shanghai and Qingdao earlier this year, EPEX has successfully built a solid Chinese fanbase.

The Fuzhou concert is expected to solidify their role as one of K-pop’s leading ambassadors in China, with the group also considering additional solo shows in other Chinese cities.

EPEX is currently conducting a comprehensive Asia tour following December’s Seoul concert launch. Stops include Macau on May 3 and Taipei on May 24, with Fuzhou wrapping up the month. The tour celebrates their critically acclaimed ‘Youth Deficiency Trilogy Series’, which includes two full-length albums and fresh performances that have garnered widespread praise.

Additionally, on May 6, EPEX will release a special collaboration single titled ‘So Nice’ with American retro synth-pop duo Joan, marking another bold move in their expanding global presence.

As EPEX continues their journey to transcend borders and cultural limitations, their Fuzhou concert stands as a pivotal moment in re-establishing cultural exchange between Korea and China in the K-pop realm.