(YG Entertainment)

Folk duo Akdong Musician was reportedly granted permission to perform in Shanghai, China.

The duo, Lee Su-hyun and Lee Chan-hyuk, marked the first Hallyu star to hold activities in mainland China since October, when China clamped down on Korean entertainment contents, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

It took about a month to get permission, the report added. The application was submitted to the authorities related to culture industry on Nov. 3.

The details about the upcoming concert in Shanghai have yet to be unveiled.

(YG Entertainment)

Before the complete ban starting October, two to four concerts from Korean artists were permitted in each of the three months until September.

Korean media speculate China’s restrictions on Hallyu contents are on the wane. The restriction stems from the administration’s move to retaliate against Seoul’s decision to deploy US strategic assets, including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system on its soil.

Korean Ambassador for Public Diplomacy Cho Hyun-dong on Nov. 28 expressed concerns over China’s restrictions on Korean entertainers’ performances in the Chinese mainland.

By Son Ji-hyoung (json@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: EXO’s Nanjing concert put on hold