The relationship between South Korea and China has been significantly influenced by cultural policies, particularly regarding the Korean wave, or Hallyu. In July 2016, China imposed a ban on Korean cultural content in response to the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) batteries in South Korea. This ban lasted over seven years, during which the Korean entertainment industry faced substantial losses, as it had heavily relied on the Chinese market for revenue [b189f1e2].
Despite the ban, the Korean film 'Oh! My Gran' was eventually released in China after a six-year hiatus, signaling a potential thaw in relations. In November 2024, China opened visa-free travel to South Korean citizens, and discussions between the culture and tourism ministers of both countries have begun, indicating a shift towards normalization [b189f1e2].
The concept of 'cultural security' emerged in China around 1992, where the government viewed Korean content as a 'vaccine' against Western cultural influences. This perspective led to significant investments from Chinese capital into the Korean culture industry from 2014 to 2016, prior to the ban [b189f1e2].
The rise of streaming services has also played a crucial role in the recovery of the Korean content industry, allowing it to reach global audiences despite the restrictions in China. However, the ban has fostered increased anti-China sentiment among Koreans and has led to unintended cultural clashes and heightened nationalism in China [b189f1e2].
Experts suggest that even if the ban is lifted, Korean firms may not benefit as they did before, due to the growth of the domestic Chinese culture industry, which has become more robust during the ban period [b189f1e2]. As both countries navigate their cultural exchanges, the future of Hallyu in China remains uncertain, shaped by historical tensions and evolving market dynamics.