KCON LA Seeks Festival Vibe and Broader Audience
KCON LA, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, is part of the world’s largest K-pop and culture festival, which began in 2012. With K-pop’s explosive global growth and many artists now touring independently, and other music festivals including K-pop groups, I wondered: what relevance does KCON LA still hold? The Mnet Countdown concerts at LA’s Crypto.com Arena showcase a diverse range of artists, but each act only performs two to five songs. One could argue that it might be more satisfying to see your favorite artists on their own tours.
What sets KCON apart isn’t just the concert; it’s the immersive full-day experience of the concerts and festival grounds. This three-day event offers more than other festivals, featuring a diverse range of performances, showcases, meet and greets, panels, workshops, and fan-artist interactions. Despite having a packed schedule for the entire weekend, I still couldn’t experience everything I wanted to!
Highlights from the Mnet Countdown Concert
Some fans may have been disappointed by the lineup this year, especially those expecting a similar presence of 4th generation heavy hitters like Stray Kids, Ateez, Ive, (G)I-dle, and Itzy. However, the Mnet Countdown concerts still showcased some impressive headliners capable of filling arenas on their own, such as Enhypen and NCT 127. Both groups performed with precision and confidence, clearly demonstrating their star power.
With less focus on 3rd and 4th generation powerhouses, the event also highlighted 1st and 2nd generation idols with impressive longevity. Taemin returned to KCON LA for the second consecutive year, debuting “Guilty” for U.S. audiences and delivering a captivating rock remix of “Criminal.” Although the reception wasn’t as thunderous as last year’s, he still generated considerable excitement as the headliner for the first night.
Among the veteran artists, g.o.d stood out as a definite highlight. Their commanding vocals and undeniable charisma captivated the crowd, even winning over many Enhypen fans. The group’s leader, Joon, was one of the most engaging performers, encouraging the audience to stand up, clap, sing along, and wave their phone lights during the final performance.
On the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of age and experience, several rookie groups made their U.S. stage debut, one of the most exciting aspects of KCON for fans. Notably, Boynextdoor and TWS brought exuberant energy to their performances. TWS, who performed on multiple nights, showcased a more mature side with three members covering Jungkook’s “3D.”
Some acts from last year’s lineup returned, delivering memorable special stages. Kep1er, performing as a group of seven, unexpectedly covered Stray Kids’ “Back Door,” executing the complex choreography with ease. Zerobaseone thrilled the audience with a sing-along to Red Velvet’s “Psycho,” while StayC, also from KCON LA 2022, skillfully covered (G)I-dle’s “Queencard.”
KCON LA Brings the "Festival" to Festival Grounds
This year, KCON LA rebranded its convention as the “Festival Grounds,” and it lived up to its name with multiple stages throughout the LA Convention Center. The KCON Stage, styled like a general admission club, featured exclusive performances from artists such as A.C.E. They delivered a powerful set with hard-hitting tracks like “Goblin” and “Savage,” making them a standout act that would have been a great addition to the Mnet Countdown concert.
Artists who performed at both Mnet Countdown and the KCON Stage enjoyed the opportunity to deliver longer, more varied sets at the latter, often with added surprises. For example, Jo Yuri included a shimmering cover of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” while P1Harmony energetically performed B-sides like “Emergency” and “Follow Me.” Bibi featured Tiger JK in her set, and Hyolyn previewed her upcoming single “Wait.”
Less established acts showcased their talents in the Meet and Greet area of the convention hall. The large screens and prominent location of this stage offered great exposure for newer groups. Dxmon impressed with their live vocals, performing without backing tracks, while POW highlighted their fresh sound with tracks like “Dazzling” and “Valentine.”
The panels and workshops at KCON, often under-publicized, consistently prove to be engaging and insightful. For instance, one panel featured idols-turned-soloists such as Kevin Woo of U-Kiss, Denise Kim of Secret Number, From20, and Hello Gloom, who discussed the differences between their idol careers and current endeavors. Another panel focused on producers, who shared their creative approaches, offered advice to aspiring producers, and discussed their use of AI in the creative process. At both events, the panelists were approachable and willing to chat with fans and take selfies.
Overall, the KCON festival grounds offer both formal and informal ways for fans to interact with artists and other participants. There are paid Hi-Wave Meet and Greet sessions, and the Dream Stage, where fans audition to dance with artists like Taemin, Enhypen, and Zico at the Mnet Countdown concert. Most activities took place in the expansive South Hall, including the Connecting Stage, where idols played games and participated in dance challenges. This setup allowed fans to spot idols walking through the hall or making appearances at various booths, creating lasting memories for many attendees.
