I’ve been attending KCON LA since 2015, so with pandemic-closures in 2020 and 2021 that makes this year my eighth time at the event. Over the years, I’ve watched it change and grow in both good and bad ways, and those changes were certainly on display this year.
It was going to be difficult (impossible?) to top last year’s KCON because that artist line-up was simply made for me. I wasn’t as excited about the artists this year, though there were a few I grew to love in the weeks leading up to the event.
Below, I’ll recap the highlights and lowlights of this year’s KCON alongside some videos I took throughout the weekend.
If you’re interested in previous recaps, click here: 2016 // 2017 // 2018 // 2019 // 2022 Pt.1 // 2022 Pt.2 // 2023 // 2024
1. The Artist Stage
KCON has always been about artist stages and interactions for me. I care less about the actual convention surrounding these artists. This year, the artist stage was in a different wing and you had the opportunity to buy a “plus” ticket to access the front of the stage. We had this pass on Saturday, specifically for ZEROBASEONE. But, we also got to be very close for MEOVV and Hwasa. Even without this plus pass, we got a great, close view of CRAVITY on Friday. These stages are 30-40 minutes of 5-6 songs interspersed with some chit-chat. I honestly prefer them to the mainstage performances because K-pop really needs to be seen up close to be fully appreciated. Depending on the line-up, I could spend the whole day in this section of the con (and we did on Saturday!).
2. Showcase & Busking Stages
One of my favorite things KCON has done over the past few years is start inviting rookie/indie artists to perform on a variety of showcase stages throughout the convention and during the pre-show of the mainstage. This year, there weren’t many rookie acts I was interested in but it was still cool to learn about them up-close-and-personal through these stages. I have a newfound appreciation for ifeye and 82MAJOR, but it was the guys of Way Better (from20 and Hello Gloom) that continue to have my attention. After meeting them last year, it was so fun to watch multiple stages this weekend and see how far they’ve come. And, they rocked the mainstage during Saturday’s pre-show!
3. Mainstage Concerts
While I wasn’t as thrilled with the artist line-up this year and have issues with the mainstage concerts (see below), KCON still puts on a high quality show with a little something for everyone.
1. General Disorganization
It’s one step forward, three steps back when it comes to KCON’s logistics. They got things so right last year, only to retreat to their old ways this year. Lines were super long and check-in took forever (they really didn’t have enough check-in booths for all the people). Staff were generally rude and sometimes outright hostile and clear signage was definitely lacking. They removed the option for a 3-day pass this year, which meant lining up for at least an hour each morning before even entering the convention. And if you wanted to get close to artist stages or meet & greets, you needed to queue for hours (and in some cases fight off overzealous fans looking to cut/cheat their way to the front of the line). It’s all pretty exhausting.
2. The Convention Itself
Like I said earlier, the actual convention isn’t my favorite part of the weekend, but even so it’s really a shell of its former self. KCON eliminated panels this year and the convention floor was 95% K-beauty products (which I have no interest in). There was nowhere to buy artist albums or merch, which makes no sense, and they moved most of the marketplace booths outside where it was very hot. Food, of course, remained incredibly expensive.
3. An Overstuffed Line-up
While I appreciate them inviting as many artists as possible each year, I’m not sure they all need to be performing on the mainstage. The main concerts felt a bit overstuffed, with so many acts that some were simply overshadowed and the concerts approached a whopping three hours each evening. After a long day at the convention, it’s hard to keep your energy up over the course of these long shows. I’d much prefer multiple stages throughout the day where you could choose who you want to see and when. You know… like a real music festival!
4. Meet & Greets
Unless you pay the (overpriced) fee for a “high wave,” these meet and greets are kind of pointless. You can’t really see anything from the back and the whole thing is so scripted and predictable. Making matters worse, you had to pay extra to attend this year. Even at twenty five dollars, I felt like this was a waste of money — especially compared to the artist stage. Last year’s meet and greet stage was much better because even if you were far away you could still see very well. And, it was included in the price of the convention ticket.
1. ZEROBASEONE
The weekend felt almost like an extended ZEROBASEONE concert, with performances from the guys all three nights. Members also hosted the show and they did both the artist stage and meet and greet. In short, they were everywhere. My favorite moment, as mentioned before, was the artist stage. After hours of queuing, we were super close. Like… touching distance close.
2. WAY BETTER
Having seen from20 and Hello Gloom so much last year, I wasn’t anticipating them to be a highlight of this year as well. However, the guys were all over the convention, charming audiences and performing their excellent string of singles (see video above).
3. CRAVITY
In the lead-up to KCON, I’ve gone from being a casual CRAVITY listener to a full-blown fan, so it was really fun seeing them perform now that I know the members a bit more. I thought their two-song set on Sunday’s mainstage was particularly good.
4. Hwasa
She really killed the mainstage performance (including a medley of Mamamoo hits), but her artist stage was most exciting since we were front row. She’s got so much charisma.
5. RIIZE
RIIZE was the group I was most excited to see, though it was a shame they never did a more intimate artist stage. Still, I loved seeing them kill their mainstage performance.
6. IVE
They’re never going to perform After Like at one of these shows, are they? Even so, their music is made for stadiums and I really liked their set. Plus, their reaction to dropping their hand mic made for some very funny and charming memes.
https://x.com/i/status/1951513694887878814
7. NOWZ
Though they didn’t get a ton of time to shine, their three songs on Friday (including a Stray Kids cover) were so energetic and strong. I really like this group.
1. ifeye – R U OK?
Boy, has this song grown on me.
2. IDID – Step It Up
This one’s grown on me massively too. I love these guys.
3. Way Better – Mamacita / Eye Candy
Just so fun.
4. ZEROBASEONE – Slam Dunk
Yep, this one’s grown on me too.
5. MEOVV – Drop Top
I have a new appreciation for MEOVV after this weekend, actually. They’re very talented.
6. CRAVITY – Set Net G0?! / Swish
I was already sold on these songs but now I’m mega-sold.
7. NOWZ – Everglow / Problem Child
Ditto.
1. NCT 127
They performed almost the exact same setlist as last year and it includes some of their worst songs in my opinion.
2. HxW
Just bad songs, really.
3. IS:SUE
Really didn’t like these songs either.
4. Jackson Wang
I found his general presentation very off-putting and weirdly confrontation/uncomfortable.
5. P1Harmony – Duh
I really don’t like this song and this weekend only confirmed that!
