KCON LA 2024 Celebrates the Global Wave of Korean Culture

KCON returns to Los Angeles, CA once again! The convention and festival have grown larger each year since their start in 2012. In 2023, the convention was held at the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year it grew to the point to use the South Hall. KCON LA was held on the weekend of July 26-28, 2024 which gave more fans an opportunity to attend as many students are on summer break. Attendees can expect an immersive experience filled with concerts, fan meetings, panels, workshops, and a marketplace offering exclusive merchandise. KCON LA attracts fans from all over the world! It creates a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that celebrates the global influence of Korean culture.

Convention

KCON LA 2024 also includes a wide range of activities beyond the performances. There are dance workshops, beauty tutorials by Moira, and classes that allow fans to immerse themselves in different aspects of Korean culture. Additionally, the convention hosts panels featuring industry experts who discuss various topics. They can be related to Korean entertainment, fashion, photography, and lifestyle.

KCON Stage

One of the highlights of KCON LA 2024 is the KCON Stage. This stage features performances from some of the biggest names in K-pop. This stage is the main attraction, drawing thousands of fans eager to see their favorite idols perform live. The lineup included A.C.E, BOYNEXTDOOR, ZEROBASEONE, P1HARMONY, Hyolyn, and so many more. The KCON Stage is known for its high-energy performances, stunning visuals, and the atmosphere created by enthusiastic fans.

Connect Stage

The convention also features the Connect Stage, which provides a setting for fans to engage with their favorite artists. The Connect Stage offers a variety of interactive sessions, including Q&A panels, live interviews, and special performances. This stage allows fans to get up close and personal with their idols. It offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the artists’ careers, personalities, and creative processes. The Connect Stage fosters a deeper connection between fans and artists, making it a memorable experience for all attendees.

Panels, Booths & more

The convention held many activation’s and booths by KCON’s sponsors and booths wanting to promote Korean products. We had large activation’s by Samsung and Olive Young where you can take a tour of so many products. Convention goers stood in line to win products from TIRTIR, Paldo, SHEIN, and more. Asiana Airlines are sending a few lucky fans to a trip to Seoul, Korea.

Also, the marketplace is another major draw, offering exclusive merchandise, fan goods, and unique products from Korean brands. Walking through the K-beauty section allows attendees to buy skincare, makeup, and a chance to win all the above. The convention is not something to miss if you enjoy any aspects of Korean culture. If you don’t know about the culture, it may change your mind and open your eyes to something new (and your pores with their exceptional skincare products).

MCOUNTDOWN at KCON LA

Pre-show

The MCOUNTDOWN pre-show at KCON LA kicked off with a dynamic Day 1 hosted by Alex Reid (formerly of BLACKSWAN). DXMON energized the crowd with their performances of “Burn Up” and “Girls, Love Boys, Like Girls.” Following them, Berklee College of Music’s “Dear KPOP with Love,” choreographed by Jennifer Archibald, returned for another year, captivating the audience with its intricate dance routines. DRIPPIN took the stage next, delivering stunning renditions of “Beautiful MAZE” and “Villain.” AleXa added a unique twist with her performance of “Distraction” from her upcoming English album, accompanied by live guitar and bass. Asiana Airlines thrilled one lucky fan with a trip from LA to Seoul, adding a touch of excitement to the pre-show festivities.

On Day 2, the pre-show continued with a vibrant lineup. BINI, all the way from the Philippines, charmed the audience with their lively performance of their new track “Cherry on Top.” This sensational group had the crowd cheering extra loud and we’re now all waiting for a world tour. POW followed, showcasing their talents with “Favorite” and “Valentine.” CRAXY closed out the day with powerful performances of “Stupidz” and “Masquerade,” leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the main event. Day 3 of the pre-show featured soulful performances, starting with Issac Hong’s heartfelt rendition of “Fallin’.” The debut of KATSEYE with their song “Touch” was a highlight, marking an exciting start to their musical journey and setting the stage for an unforgettable day of performances.

Day One

KCON LA Day 1 kicked off with an electrifying edition of MCOUNTDOWN, beginning with a nostalgic highlight video showcasing memorable moments from 2012 to the present. P1Harmony set the stage on fire, quite literally, with their powerful cover of BTS’ “Fire.” MC Rowoon shared a heartfelt moment, reminiscing about his rookie days on the KCON stage. ZEROBASEONE had the crowd in a frenzy with their performances of “Crush” and “Sweat,” and P1Harmony members Keeho and Intak kept the energy high as they engaged with fans, even shouting out some by name.

The night continued with Kep1er, who impressed with performances of “WA DA DA,” “LVLY,” and “Back to the City.” BIBI, despite her initial nerves about being recognized, captivated the audience with “Bam Yang Gang” and showcased her versatility with a complete 180 in “Sugar Rush.” INI announced an upcoming album while performing hits like “LOUD,” “LEGIT,” and “FANFARE.” The evening was punctuated by dynamic performances from BOYNEXTDOOR, who shared their journey from filming their music video for “One and Only” in LA pre-debut to returning as performers. Finally, the ever-charismatic Taemin, dazzled with “Guilty,” “Black Rose,” and a special fan collaboration on “Move,” before closing the night with “Criminal.”

Day Two

The second day of KCON LA’s MCOUNTDOWN was a whirlwind of performances, beginning with NMIXX energizing the crowd with “Dash.” The charismatic Jeon Somi took on MC duties, keeping the audience engaged throughout the night. TWS delivered a captivating set with “If I’m S Can You Be My N”, “Double Take,” and “Plot Twist,” while ME:I gave fans a treat with their unreleased track “Hi-Five” and the catchy “Click.” Actress Park Minyoung, stepping in as MC, discussed the significance of UNESCO, adding a touch of cultural awareness to the event.

Standout moment

JO YURI showcased her versatility with a video highlighting her as an all-rounder and her upcoming role in Squid Game 2, followed by performances of “Love Shhh!” and a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” Planet B, a new boy group survival show, was announced to air on MNET on August 10, generating buzz among the fans. The Dream Stage with Enhypen performing “Sweet Venom” was a standout moment, as fans joined the group for a memorable stage. P1Harmony returned with high-energy performances of “Doom Du Doom” and “Jump,” keeping the momentum high.

The night continued with TWS delivering a stunning cover of BTS Jungkook’s “3D”! NMIXX returned to the stage with hits like “Dice,” “Run for Roses,” and “Love Me Like This”. Enhypen members Jake and Jay took over MC duties, introducing the legendary group god, who performed classics like “Road,” “Lies”. god’s Park Joon made the audience giggle by mentioning how tired he was since he’s older now. Despite many of the audience not knowing who they were, they thoroughly enjoyed their performances of “Sky Blue Balloon” and “One Candle” by dancing along. ME:I returned with their cover of TWICE‘s “Set Me Free,” and Somi wrapped up the MC duties. Enhypen closed the night with a dynamic set, including “XO,” “Bite Me,” “Fatal Trouble,” “Polaroid Love,” and “Paranormal,” leaving the audience eager for more.

Day Three

Finally, the last day of KCON LA’s MCOUNTDOWN, broadcasted on the CW, was a thrilling conclusion to the event. Actor Kim Soohyun came out to the crowds energetic cheers to start the night. TWS kicked off the night with a dynamic performance of “Plot Twist,” followed by ME:I with their energetic song “Hi-Five.” The evening’s MCs, Awkwafina alongside NCT‘s Mark and Johnny, brought humor and excitement to the show. STAYC delighted the crowd with their hits “ASAP” and “Cheeky Icy Thang,” while ZEROBASEONE’s Hanbin and Ricky took over the MC duties in the crowd, keeping the fans engaged.

INI pumped up the audience with powerful performances of “LOUD” and “LEGIT,” and BIBI followed with her intense track “Vengeance.” This bled into Hyolyn’s performance of “So What” which showcased her vocal prowess. Jeon Somi, moving through the crowd, performed “Fast Forward,” “Dumb Dumb,” and “The Way”. She also shared news of her upcoming comeback, engaging the audience in a lyric chant; “Come and get your ice cream…Too Cold”. Zico had the whole audience singing his latest track “Spot.” He then held his Dream Stage performance of “New Thing,” and closed with the fan-favorite “Any Song.” Fun fact: “Any Song” was one of the first dance challenges that went viral.

The night continued with MC duties from Mark and Johnny, leading to ZEROBASEONE’s cover of “Psycho” by Red Velvet. STAYC returned to perform (G)I-DLE’s “Queencard,” adding a fun twist to the night. NCT 127 closed the show with a spectacular set, performing “Walk,” “Lemonade.” Finally, they then showed performances of “2 Baddies,” and “Fact Check.” This ended KCON LA Day 3 on a high note and left the audience ready for next year.

Don’t miss out as KCON heads to Germany next!

Article written by Diana
Photos by Diana & Aaron