Expectations Rise for Easing of Hallyu Ban After Xi’s “Block of Ice” Metaphor... Approach Focuses on “Gradual Expansion of Exchanges”

Possibility of Gradual, Step-by-Step Approach Through Working-Level Consultations
China Denies Existence of the Hallyu Ban... President Lee Proactively Proposes Go and Soccer Exchanges
Korean Government Plans to Proceed Starting With Feasible Areas

Expectations are rising for the easing of the "Korean Wave Ban" (Hallyu Restriction) in China, coinciding with President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to China. As it was reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping used the metaphor, "Three feet of ice do not melt all at once, and fruit falls naturally when it ripens," during the Korea-China summit, analysts suggest that a gradual and phased approach through working-level consultations is now possible.

Yonhap News Agency

According to the presidential office on January 7, both countries reached a consensus to gradually expand cultural and content exchanges, starting with areas that are mutually acceptable. The initial focus will be on exchanges in Go and soccer, while progress in areas such as dramas and films will be sought through working-level discussions. Wi Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office, explained during a briefing on the summit results that "both sides agreed to gradually and incrementally expand cultural content exchanges, starting from areas where both parties can agree."

Regarding the Korean Wave Ban, Director Wi noted, "China still does not acknowledge the existence of the ban itself," and mentioned that during the leaders' dialogue, there was a lighthearted exchange suggesting that "there is no need to debate whether the ban exists or not." However, Director Wi clarified that specific genres, such as the resumption of K-pop concerts, were not discussed in detail.

Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, also relayed President Xi's "three feet of ice" metaphor during a briefing at the press center in Shanghai, explaining that "the passage of time is necessary, and this gradual and incremental approach is required." According to reports, after President Lee's remarks on expanding cultural exchanges, President Xi responded by saying, "Three feet of ice do not melt all at once, and fruit falls naturally when it ripens."

The prevailing view is that President Xi's metaphor should not be interpreted as a promise of the immediate lifting of the Korean Wave Ban, but rather as a message that, while the overall atmosphere for cultural exchanges will thaw, the pace will be carefully managed. Chinese diplomatic authorities also referenced the principle of "orderly cultural exchanges." Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated during a regular briefing on January 6 that "both Korea and China agree to carry out healthy and beneficial cultural exchanges in an orderly manner" in relation to the Korean Wave Ban.

Amid growing expectations for the easing of the Korean Wave Ban, the presidential office is signaling its intention to proceed with areas that are feasible. Given that the Chinese government denies the existence of the ban, the focus is on the actual resumption of approvals and exchanges rather than an official declaration of its lifting. The decision to begin with relatively less sensitive areas, such as Go and soccer, is interpreted in the same context. A senior official at the presidential office commented, "This state visit, the first in nine years, has solidified the restoration of comprehensive relations between Korea and China," adding, "We have laid the foundation for a future-oriented cooperative relationship."