‘Descendants of the Sun’ star Song Joong Ki banned from Chinese projects

“Descendants of the Sun” Song Joong Ki is banned from appearing in Chinese media. The 30-year-old actor’s recent ad for Vivo, a smartphone company in China, has already been pulled out. The unexpected termination of the smartphone ad is due to the rising tension between South Korea and China over Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

Joong Ki’s Vivo ad was pulled out as China’s General Office of Broadcast and Television ordered local media to restrain the scope of Korean idol groups and actors' promotions and endorsements in the country.

Joong Ki signed with Vivo to model the X7 smartphone during the height of “Descendants of the Sun’s” popularity. His modelling contract made headlines for having earned 22.8 million yuan (approximately AU$4.4 million) from Vivo. According to Soompi, the actor is still receiving his ad fee in full despite the ad getting pulled out from broadcast. Still, the actor’s other Chinese projects and offers are greatly affected from THAAD dispute.

Rumours say that an US$8 million (AU$10.4 million) Chinese drama offer for Song Joong Ki was recently cancelled due to THAAD. Furthermore, Blossom Entertainment, the agency that handles the actor, said in a statement via Soompi that Joong Ki is receiving a variety of casting offers for dramas and films in China. However, with the recent restraint in Korean celebrities in China, Joong Ki’s potential projects are relatively affected.

To date, Joong Ki has been cast in the film “Battleship Island.” The movie which is also supposedly promoted in China also gets affected by THAAD. Notably, Korean movies and TV shows enjoy a wide audience and good box office returns in China. But with the current tension between the two countries, for now “Battleship Island” can just rely on its national box office.

Aside from “Descendant of the Sun's” Joong Ki, other Korean actors and idol groups are prohibited from appearing in any Chinese TV shows. Any meet-and-greet events and concerts are also not allowed.