On May 9, 2025, C9 Entertainment officially announced that the highly anticipated EPEX concert in China—titled “2025 EPEX CONCERT Youth Deficiency”—has been postponed.
The performance, originally scheduled for May 31 in Fuzhou at MAAQUU x CH8 LIVEHOUSE, was set to mark a major milestone: the first full concert by a South Korean idol group in China in nearly nine years.
This would have been a historic occasion, reflecting a potential warming of cultural exchange between South Korea and China after years of tension that limited Korean entertainment activity in the country.
In their statement, C9 Entertainment cited “local circumstances” as the reason for the postponement but did not provide further specifics.
While the exact nature of these local circumstances remains unclear, such phrasing often suggests logistical complications, regulatory delays, or venue-related concerns.
The ambiguity has sparked speculation among fans and industry watchers, especially given the complex history of K-pop performances in mainland China.
EPEX, an eight-member boy group under C9 Entertainment, has steadily been gaining international popularity.
The Fuzhou concert was part of their Youth Deficiency tour and represented a symbolic and strategic move into a market that has long been difficult for K-pop acts to access.
The return of a full K-pop group concert in China was seen by many as a potential new chapter in K-pop’s global expansion.
Despite the setback, C9 Entertainment has reassured fans that discussions are ongoing regarding a new date and possibly even a different venue.
“We are currently discussing the rescheduled date and venue and will make an official announcement as soon as it is confirmed,” the agency stated.
The announcement has stirred a mix of disappointment and hope within the fan community.
While many were understandably saddened by the delay, there is cautious optimism that a new date will be set soon.
The fact that talks for rescheduling are underway offers a silver lining, suggesting that the dream of seeing EPEX live in China is not off the table—only postponed.
For now, fans will have to wait patiently as details are finalized.
As one of the most meaningful K-pop concert announcements in recent memory, the eventual return of EPEX to the Chinese stage could signal a broader re-entry of K-pop into a long-restricted but highly enthusiastic market.
