China Woos South Korea with K-Pop and Movies as Japan Tensions Rise

China and South Korea are restarting stalled trade talks, aiming to move their economic ties beyond manufacturing and into popular culture. This shift comes as regional tensions with Japan grow. The two nations agreed on December 12 to speed up negotiations on the next phase of their free-trade agreement (FTA). The new focus is on services, a sector that includes entertainment, tourism, and streaming. The push signals a diplomatic thaw. Analysts suggest China may be rewarding South Korea for its recent softer stance on issues involving Japan and the United States. Expanding access for South Korean music, films, and other cultural exports could be a key incentive. The original trade deal, signed in 2015, mainly covered goods. Updating it to include services would mark a major upgrade in economic relations, directly benefiting industries like K-Pop.