K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM left fans disappointed after cancelling their scheduled fan sign event in Shanghai, just 48 hours before it was supposed to happen. The sudden decision shocked many fans, especially those who had already booked flights and hotels to attend the event.
The group’s members Yunjin, Chaewon, Eunchae, Sakura, and Kazuha have postponed the event until further notice, citing rising political tensions in the region.
How Are China–Japan Tensions Affecting LE SSERAFIM’s Fan Events?
The cancellation comes amid growing China–Japan diplomatic tensions. Since November 2025, the Chinese government has reportedly cancelled several Japanese cultural events, including concerts, movie releases, and anime-related programs. These actions are believed to be linked to disputes over Taiwan-related statements and long-standing historical issues between the two countries, which have begun impacting K-pop and other cultural exchanges.
Were LE SSERAFIM’s Japanese Members Asked to Be Excluded From the Event?
According to industry reports, the Shanghai fan sign event may have been affected by a controversial proposal. Chinese officials allegedly requested that Japanese members Sakura and Kazuha be excluded from the event, allowing only Yunjin, Chaewon, and Eunchae to attend.
K-pop insiders claim that HYBE Entertainment, the group’s agency, rejected this request. Instead of moving forward with an incomplete lineup, the agency reportedly chose to cancel the event entirely.
What Did the Event Organiser Say About Cancelling the LE SSERAFIM Fan Sign?
Event organiser MAKESTAR released an official statement explaining that the fan sign was cancelled due to “unavoidable circumstances.”
The notice added that after “careful discussion with multiple related departments,” the event had been “inevitably cancelled.” MAKESTAR also assured fans that full refunds would be issued to everyone who purchased tickets.
Fans Angry Over the LE SSERAFIM Shanghai Cancellation
Soon after the announcement, fans expressed strong anger online. Many criticised the organisers for cancelling the event at the last moment.
“Why wait until the last minute?” one fan wrote.
“We’ve spent money on flights and hotels. Are fans’ efforts and money worth nothing?” another asked.
Some fans accused the organisers of poor planning, saying the political risks should have been considered before announcing the event. As of now, LE SSERAFIM has not released a personal statement addressing the issue.
How Is LE SSERAFIM Performing on Global Music Charts Despite the Controversy?
Despite the setback, LE SSERAFIM continues to dominate global music charts. Their single “SPAGHETTI” featuring BTS’ J-Hope recently ranked No. 103 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs Global chart.
The track has stayed on the chart for seven consecutive weeks and also secured the No. 7 spot on Amazon Music’s Best of 2025 K-pop list, highlighting the group’s strong global presence even amid controversy.
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