On December 12, Chinese fans were stunned by the abrupt announcement that LE SSERAFIM’s highly anticipated Shanghai fan sign event, originally scheduled for December 14, had been canceled only 48 hours in advance. The decision was announced by event organizer Makestar via Weibo, citing “uncontrollable circumstances” as the reason behind the cancellation.
The statement, while apologetic, did little to soothe the anger of fans who had already booked travel and accommodation to attend the rare fan interaction. Makestar expressed regret for the inconvenience and explained that the decision came after repeated consultations with multiple parties. Yet, the vague reasoning only fueled further speculation and outrage online.
A growing number of netizens suspect that political tensions, particularly between China and Japan, played a role in the cancellation. With two Japanese members—SAKURA (Miyawaki Sakura) and KAZUHA (Nakamura Kazuha)—in the group, fans believe the group’s mixed Korean-Japanese lineup may have become a sensitive issue under the current climate. Recent cancellations involving Japanese artists, including superstar Ayumi Hamasaki, lend weight to these concerns.
Others point to lingering effects of the “Korean Wave restrictions” (Hallyu ban) in China, which has historically limited Korean celebrities from holding public events. The intersection of these political dynamics has put LE SSERAFIM, as a Japan-Korea hybrid group, in a particularly precarious position.
Adding to the frustration is the timing of the cancellation. Comments flooded the official post, with many fans demanding accountability. “Why wait until the last minute?”, one user fumed. “We’ve spent money on flights and hotels. Are fans’ efforts and money worth nothing?” Others accused the organizers of poor planning, saying the risks should have been considered long before announcing the event.
While LE SSERAFIM remains silent on the issue, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges K-pop groups face when navigating cross-border fandoms in an era of complex geopolitical sensitivities.
