"Don't come to Espa!"Sino-Japanese Conflict, Biggest Victim in Entertainment Industry Surges
Nov 19, 2025
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Tensions are rising in the popular culture of both countries, following China's direct retaliation against Japan, which is heading toward a de facto 'Hanilyeong' (令 of 限 and Japan).
According to the Hong Kong daily Sungdo Daily and the Chinese newspaper network, Chinese music platform QQ Music announced on its social media account on the 17th that the Guangzhou fan party (fan meeting) event of the Japanese boy group JO1 (Jiowon) was canceled due to force majeure reasons. The event was scheduled to be held on the 28th at ICC Hwanmao Tiandi in Guangzhou. QQ Music explained that the VIP member-only event scheduled for the 19th was also canceled.
JO1 is an 11-member boy group that debuted in 2020 through Season 1 of Produce 101 Japan and is a member of Rapone Entertainment, founded by CJ ENM and Yoshimoto Heung-up as a joint venture between Korea and Japan.
Following the cancellation of the official event of Japanese idols in China, controversy arose in Japan over the Chinese members of Korean girl groups.
After news broke that girl group Aespa would appear on Japan's NHK year-end special program 'Red and White Song Competition', a petition was filed to prevent Ning Ning Ning, a Chinese member of Aespa, from appearing.
Earlier in 2022, Ningning experienced controversy in Japan when it released a light similar to the 'mushroom cloud' that occurs immediately after the atomic bomb explosion on social media.
As the controversy was summoned at the time amid the deepening conflict between China and Japan, a petition was filed with HNK that his appearance at the Red and White Singers should be canceled.
The petitioner reportedly said that "The Red and White Song Contest is an important official event in Japan, and if you allow words and actions that lack historical consciousness, it will not only damage Japan's international image but also hurt the damage of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.' As of the afternoon of the previous day, more than 50,000 people agreed to the petition.
The Sungdo Daily pointed out that Espa has recently emerged as the biggest victim of diplomatic tensions between China and Japan. In addition, the Sungdo Ilbo added that whether Espa will be able to perform on stage as scheduled at the Red and White Song Competition, which is scheduled to air on December 31, could be a wind gauge for tension in Sino-Japanese relations.
Japanese celebrities who entered China are drawing attention by saying they support the principle of 'One China'.
"China is my second home, and all of my Chinese friends are my family I cherish," Japanese singer MariA, who has also appeared in mainland Chinese entertainment shows, wrote on Weibo on the 18th. "I support 'One China' forever."," he posted.
On the same day, Japanese actor Koji Yano said, "China is not only my second home, but also a place that made me re-awareness of 'House. I forever support the 'One China' principle, and I love you forever.' Yano Koji once appeared as a Japanese military officer in Chinese films and dramas.
lyn@sportschosun.com
