We’ve heard this before, and nothing came to pass, but the signs are looking positive that mainland China is finally removing its unofficial ban on Korean culture and content, possibly as early as this May.

The loosening of restrictions appears to signal China’s shift away from a “wolf warrior” diplomatic policy towards a “smile policy” aimed at easing anti-China sentiments around the world. The move could also be interpreted as a response to the volatility of the current Donald Trump administration, which is threatening tariffs on many nations, although the U.S. President’s approach towards China has not yet been made clear.

China started to restrict the distribution of Korean music, movies, dramas, games and all other forms of pop culture in 2016 in retaliation to South Korea’s deployment of U.S. Thaad missile defense systems. Although Beijing has never officially acknowledged the ban, very few Korean...