On April 13, fans were delighted after Nongfu Springs, a Chinese beverage brand, posted a teaser on its official social sites, introducing their new commercial model who's none other than BIGBANG's G-Dragon!
In the photos, the brand showed an unknown man holding the beverage. However, eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed the shoe design that the man is wearing, which has a chamomile flower pattern. This design is linked to G-Dragon often as it was known that chamomile is his favorite flower and also his trademark following his collaboration with Nike.
Shortly after, reports confirmed that G-Dragon recently completed a CF shooting for Nongfu Springs, according to Newsen. Also, the press announced the K-pop icon as one of its first Korean CF models who reopened the door for promotion in China, following the ban.
Nongfu Springs has a various line of beverages, including the Chapai tea, which was formerly endorsed by the male artist. It is believed that the company chose G-Dragon once again to represent their products. In addition to this, the filming of the commercial was said to be filmed secretly in Korea.
Meanwhile, netizens claimed that through G-Dragon's appearance, his influence and impact in the Chinese market would become a way for the Hallyu ban in China to slowly lift.
Due to the issue of the THAAD missile defense agreed by Korea and the United States, China found it as a threat to their security, which led to the prohibition of Korean Entertainment's promotion in China. This includes major Korean idols having huge performance, Korean actors and actress appearances in dramas, movies, and advertisements.
However, years after 2017, the ban has been being lifted bits by bits as few Korean artists have been able to enter the country for small promotions, including SEVENTEEN, WINNER, Heechul, among others.
Indeed, G-Dragon's fame and success are no joke, as he immediately trended in Chinese platforms and social media accounts. The netizens also spread a rumor that the icon will be having a major comeback in China soon.
In that extension, the resumption of commercial filming in China is more than just G-Dragon making a full-fledged comeback after his discharge, as it was already expected and recognized throughout the domestic entertainment industry as a symbolic sign of the lifting of the ban.
In a related development, a South Korean official familiar with the situation in the Chinese CF industry confirmed that G-Dragon's Chinese commercial shoot on April 14 was true.
The official also hinted that G-Dragon's latest advertisement is drawing keen attention, saying, "There are a growing number of inquiries from top Korean stars about recruiting or resuming commercial models in China."
Meanwhile, G-Dragon, alongside Jay Chou and other industry big names, will headline the Korean-Chinese online concert We Are The World 2020 on April 30, with the theme "Let's Fight the Global Crisis of Coronavirus."
Regarding the prospect of a thaw in the Korean-Chinese era, it was recently reported that Korean drama service was resumed in "Youku," also known as the Chinese version of YouTube.
