Park Jin Young, chief producer of JYP Entertainment and co-chair of the presidential Presidential Commission on Pop Culture Exchange, drew attention after meeting Xi Jinping, president of China.
On Nov. 2 KST, Park Jin Young posted on his personal account: "I was truly pleased to meet President Xi Jinping and speak with him. I sincerely thank him for listening and for his encouraging words. I hope we can continue the dialogue so that, through popular culture, the people of both countries can grow even closer." He shared the same message in Chinese. In the photos released, Park Jin Young is seen conversing with Xi Jinping while South Korean President Lee Jae Myung looks on with a smile. As a top K-pop producer now serving as a minister-level commission co-chair, Park Jin Young’s remarks have fueled speculation that China’s so-called “Hallyu ban” could be lifted.
Following the state dinner, Xi Jinping was also reported to have spoken favorably about allowing Korean singers to perform in China. Kim Young Bae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party who attended the dinner, wrote on Facebook: "We successfully concluded a historic Korea–China summit dinner; a new chapter of economic exchange and cooperation has opened." He added that during a conversation among President Lee Jae Myung, Xi Jinping, and Commission Co-Chair Park Jin Young, "President Xi responded positively to a proposal to hold a large-scale concert in Beijing and even called over Foreign Minister Wang Yi to give direct instructions," expressing hope that "this could be the moment that opens the door to a full-fledged push for K-content in China, beyond merely lifting the Hallyu ban."
Online, reactions quickly tilted toward optimism, with comments like “Is the Hallyu ban finally over?” circulating abroad and at home. Some industry voices floated cautious scenarios in which large-scale K-pop concerts could resume in China.
In a statement, the Presidential Commission on Pop Culture Exchange said the conversation with Xi Jinping amounted to greetings and well-wishing and warned against over-interpretation, while adding that the friendlier climate between the two countries supports hopes for more active exchanges ahead.
Meanwhile, Park Jin Young’s Instagram filled with posts from Chinese users—ranging from “JYP opened the door for Korea–China ties” and “The ban is lifted!” to shout-outs anticipating concerts by TWICE and NMIXX—alongside quips about the comment section turning entirely Chinese. Local fans likewise expressed hopes to see K-pop stages in China.
For now, the meeting signals that frozen cultural ties are back on the table for discussion, even if an official policy shift remains unconfirmed. The public mood—especially among Chinese fans—reads it as an early K-culture return signal, but authorities are keeping expectations in check.
In September, President Lee Jae Myung launched the Presidential Commission on Pop Culture Exchange and appointed Choi Hwi Young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Park Jin Young of JYP Entertainment as co-chairs.
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