| KCON | |
|---|---|
 Artists on stage at KCON 2012 | |
| Genre | Korean pop |
| Location(s) |
|
| Inaugurated | 2012 |
| Founders | Koreaboo CJ ENM Entertainment Division |
| Organized by | CJ ENM America Powerhouse Live (2015–2019) |
| Website | KCON KCON USA KCON JAPAN |
KCON is an annual convention held in locations across the world, created by Koreaboo and organized byCJ ENM Entertainment Division. It was first held inSouthern California in 2012 and has since expanded to ten countries as of 2022.
In 2015, KCON expanded to Japan[1] and then quickly announced the first KCON USA on theEast Coast.[2] In 2016, KCON expanded intoAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates[3] andParis, France. In January 2017, KCON announced that they would be hosting their first KCON Mexico at theMexico City Arena on March 17 and 18, 2017.[4]
An online replacement of KCON due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic, titledKCON:TACT, started on June 20 until June 26, 2020 viaYouTube,AIS Play, andShopee. The second season started on October 16, 2020 and ended on October 25, 2020. The third and final season started March 20, 2021.
KCON was first created by Koreaboo in 2012, after a partnership with CJ E&M's US-based subsidiary, Mnet America.[5][6] It was produced by Powerhouse Live, who have continued to work on KCON from 2013 to the present.[7][8] KCON's initial aim was to establish an annual flagship event that would improve the experiences of American fans by providing them with an affordable way to connect with each other as well as with artists and professionals from the K-pop music industry.[9] During KCON '12, Mnet Media's Ted Kim was interviewed by journalistMichael Holmes fromCNN to discuss the rise of K-Pop in the United States.[7]
On June 21, 2016,Euny Hong reported in theWall Street Journal that the North American KCONs, although very popular, were only a break-even financially. CJ E&M's American CEO Angela Killoren said they are more interested in the long-term goal of raising Korea's brand value than short-term gain.[10] Also, in a June press conference, Shin Hyung-kwan, president of CJ E&M's Mnet contents business, said, "KCON, which has been held in Abu Dhabi in March, Japan in April, and Paris early this month, is not just about making money. Numbers are important but what matters more is the potential created by the event for the next five, 10 and 20 years." Shin added that the company goals were increasing the growth of products and services to the global market by expanding partnerships with Korean small and medium enterprises.[11]
KCON '12 was held on October 13 at theVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre inIrvine, California. Music artists invited to perform include4Minute,B.A.P,Exo-M,Nu'est,VIXX, andG.NA. Jeff Yang ofThe Wall Street Journal reported that KCON '12 attracted over 20,000 people.[12]
KCON '13 was held from August 24 to 25 at theLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The lineup included K-pop artistsExo (K & M),2AM,Teen Top,f(x),G-Dragon,Crayon Pop,Dynamic Duo, Yu Seung Woo andDJ Koo. It also included rapperMissy Elliott, who is featured on one of G-Dragon's singles.[13][14]Super Junior-M'sHenry Lau performed and spoke at a panel.[15][16]
KCON '14 was held on August 9–10, returning for a second year to Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.[17] The artist lineup includedB1A4,BTS,CNBLUE,G-Dragon,Girls' Generation,IU,Jung Joon-young,Spica,Teen Top, andVIXX. Featured guests includedLee Seung-gi,Lee Seo-jin,Yoo In-na,Nam Gyu-ri,Kim Ji-seok; andEric Nam,[18][19] who hosted red carpet interviews, filmed byViki.[20]DramaFever documented the red carpet, explaining the missing Girls' Generation 9th member,Sooyoung, who was filming a drama.[21]NBC News interviewedBillboard K-Town columnist Jeff Benjamin, journalist-authorEuny Hong, and Girls' Generation'sSeohyun andTiffany to answer "what is K-pop"."[22] In response toFusion TV, KCON co-project manager Angela Killoren said, "There's still this sense that, I'm the fan, and I'm the only fan, or I'm one of very few, and these are my artists, you have this incredible sense of – you discovered them, and you own them."[23]
The two nightly concerts[24][25][26][27] were shown on the weekly K-pop cable television showM Countdown. "2 Nights in LA" was broadcast onMnet America in the U.S. and in multiple countries.[28][29][30]Danny Im of Mnet America's show "Danny From LA" hosted the concerts, along with "DFLA" co-hostDumbfoundead, Jung Joon-young, Tiffany, and opener Lee Seung-gi.[31][32][33]"DFLA", in its third season, filmed a live taping of the show at the convention.[34][35]
For this year's event, Mnet America started a new web-series, "KCON EXPERIENCE 2014", with multiple episodes, including footage of the stars' arrival at the airport in Los Angeles, backstage activities, and the weekend's panels, fan meetings, food stands.[36] The convention included an outdoor marketplace, food truck alley, a mini4DX theatre, and open stage area; with panels and workshops about music, k-dramas,e-sports, choreography styles, makeup, hair trends; and as billed, "all thingsHallyu".[29][37][38] Korean gaming channelOnGameNet (OGN) also organized a "League of Legends Champion Festival", an event involving Korean teamCJ Entus Frost and American teamCloud 9.[19][23][29][39]
The convention doubled attendance from the previous year, with 42,000 attending. Of those 42,000, nearly 40 percent come from outside California,[40] most were female, and less than 10 percent were Korean.[41]
KCON '15 expanded outside the United States for the first time and was held in Japan at theSaitama Super Arena.M.I.B's Korean-Japanese vocalistKangNam was the events ambassador.[42] The convention/outdoor stage featured Korean artists CODE-V,High4,Shu-I,Tahiti, and5tion. Performances on the main stage includedGot7, Super Junior, Kangnam,My Name,Lovelyz,Block B,Sistar,Infinite,B1A4,2PM'sJun. K, andSupernova.[43]
Freelance journalist Patrick St. Michel, who has lived in Japan for years, covered the Saitama event forMTV Iggy, complimenting the eagerness of the enthusiastic fans (15,000 at the concert), andKCON 15's successfulsoft sell of K-pop as a means to help smooth over a long and complicated relationship between Japan and South Korea.[44]
On April 17, 2015, KCON said the California convention would expand to a three-day event, and would move from the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena toL.A. Live and theStaples Center inDowntown Los Angeles.[45]
The convention was preceded with U.S. news reports about the drama and film stars to attend,People interviewed "Korean heartthrob"Kim Soo-hyun,[46] andThe Hollywood Reporter accounted for Kim (My Love from the Star), Korean AmericanKi Hong Lee (The Maze Runner, one ofPeople's "Sexiest Men Alive"), U.S. bornDaniel Henney (his latestCriminal Minds: Beyond Borders) andSon Ho-jun (Reply 1994); as well as drama sessions to be headlined by writerPark Ji-eun (producer,My Love From Another Star) and directorJin Hyuk (Master's Sun,Doctor Stranger).[47] Actor Son Ho-jun and director Go Min-gum oftvN's "Mr. Baek the Homemade Food Master" appeared at DramaFever's co-sponsored screening room of trending K-dramas.[48]
English-language South Korean mediaYonhap called the musical line-up "some of the hottest K-pop artists."[49] It includedAOA, Block B, Crush,Got7,Monsta X,Red Velvet,Roy Kim,Shinhwa,Sistar, Super Junior andZion.T.[49][50][51]Getty Images captured photos of Kim Soo-hyun, Eric Nam, and many of the musical performers, individually identifying each name in girl groups AOA, Red Velvet and Sistar.[50]
Billboard noted new group Monsta X after their performance, as a "hot item on the KCON lineup", referring to a similar audience response to KCON '14's newest group, BTS, a group that continued to do a sold-out tour in the U.S. a year later.[51] Billboard gave detailed positive reviews for both night's concerts,[51][52] and interviewed Red Velvet[53] and Got7.[54]
TheLos Angeles Times reviewed Sunday's stage, "the year's most significant concert for one of the world's most fascinating music and cultural scenes."[55] "Mega-group" Super Junior's fan base, the "ELFs", were noticed by media, wearing their blue devil horns, with one 23-year-old describing that when she was sad, just looking at Super Junior made her really happy.[56] Fusion TV named seven of their "favorite KCON fashion statements" of the performing bands.[57]
Another South Korean English-language newspaper,The Korea Times, headlined, "K-pop proves itself a gateway to South Korea at KCON", and interviewed two "older" fans, aged 28 and 31, whose developing interest in K-pop and K-dramas led them to further interests in other Korean culture (technology, skin products, food and fashion).[56] As in previous years, the convention attempted to satisfy attendees, with one South Korea language based institute helping fans write messages of love and support to their favorite stars in Korean.[56] KCON organizer Killoren reiterated that the convention was not just music, but more, "a convention, a concert, content, a conversation."[56]
South Korea government's web portalKorea.net article stated 120 small and medium-sized enterprises set up booths, and included photos taken bySmall and Medium Business Administration staff.[58] They said, "Angelenos have shown their strong enthusiasm for all things Korean."[58]
In 2015, KCON expanded toNew York City, being held outside of Southern California for the first time.[59][60][61]
A day before opening,Vogue discussed fashion and favorite designers with AOA andVIXX,[62] the later kept busy with a first time "showcase" inOrlando, Florida.[63] Vogue told East Coast K-pop fans to "rejoice...KCon, America's premier (read: only) Korean pop culture convention comes to New York for the first time this weekend, bringing four of the country's top acts stateside", and "Keep your eyes and ears out for snappy songs and slick dance moves, but above all, for the colorful fashion trends."[62] After focusing on the idol's fashion wear in L.A., Fusion TV shared the East Coast's fan's homemade and designer fashions.[64]
Killoren told Fusion TV that fans are eager to learn as much as possible about their idols, so the convention tries to provide this, through Q&A sessions with artists byemcees, and "hi-touches" orhigh fives between fans and band members.[65]
The Korean Cultural Service New York (KCSNY) combined their fifth annual global K-pop singing and dancing competition (with auditions held worldwide) with KCON, for a pre-show concert of six finalists.[66] N.Y.'sWashington Heights group, The Class, won with a performance of VIXX's "Hyde", and will travel to South Korea to represent the U.S. at theK-Pop World Festival.[67]
Teen Top's appearance made them the first band to perform for three consecutive years;[68] along with Girls' Generation,[49] AOA and VIXX.[62]
Billboard's review compared the concert and convention to the inaugural KCON '12 in Irvine, California, pointing to this year's fewer musical acts, but a similar convention set-up, and gave indication of it becoming an "East Coast staple."[69]
The New York Times said, "The tears began as soon as Teen Top waved hello", and interviewed passionate fans,[70] some who lined up for the concert at 2:00 a.m.,[69][70] and attended both the West and East Coast shows.[70] They described fans who wear facial cleanser used by actressSong Ji-hyo of variety showRunning Man and according to DramaFever watch over 53.9 hours per month streaming videos, compared with about 10.7 hours forNetflix users, are 85 percent non-Asian, and are mostly women aged 18 to 24.[70]
Fuse TV said the convention attendees were represented by allracial demographics, "women didn't outnumber men the way you'd normally see at a pop music convention", and "teens were out in full force, but not the majority."[71]
In November, KCON held its first 2-day domestic convention and concerts on the South Korean island ofJeju.[72][73][74] Daily solo performances were held at the convention hall stage, and a main stadium concert on the second night, with a line-up including Shinhwa,[75] Roy Kim, Block B,SG Wannabe, SPICA, M.I.B's Kangnam,Poten,Park Boram (soloist fromSuperstar K2),Oh My Girl,Shin Seung-hun, Teen Top,Day6,Paloalto,Mamamoo,Sonamoo and Chen Zi Tong.[76]
The Jeju Tourism Organization and CJ E&M said the event was scheduled in hopes of revitalizing the local economy by drawing more tourists to the island.[72]
By the end of August, KCON '15's total attendance for the U.S. and Japan was 90,000. L.A.'s three day events had 58,000 attendees, and the two concerts at the Staples Center resulted in a sold-out crowd of 28,000 fans and Gross Sales of $2,055,800.[77] Newark's total was 17,000, and Saitama's was 15,000.[64][78][79]
In November, yearly attendance totals grew to 107,000 with the addition of the Jeju dates. Approximately 17,000 people attended the events in Jeju.[80]
In 2020, all in-person KCON events scheduled were cancelled because of theCOVID-19 pandemic. On May 14, 2020, KCON announced that online events would take place onMnet's YouTube channel on June 20–26, 2020, and be titled,"KCON:TACT". The events consisted of four hours of concerts each day, a meet and greet, as well as other benefits included with a YouTube Membership.[81] The second season of KCON:TACT was also held on Mnet and KCON's YouTube channel through membership from October 16 until October 25.
On February 16, 2021, Mnet announced that the online concert and meet and greet would return for nine days from March 20–28, 2021.[82]
In 2022, KCON returned as in-person events. The events were held from May 7 to October 16 in South Korea, Japan, the United States, and for the first time, Saudi Arabia.[83]
In 2023, KCON was held in Thailand, Japan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.[citation needed] Attendees at KCON LA 2023 were able to watch performances and collaborative stages, as well as participate in fan-engaging events such as the "K-Con Dream Stage", panels, and workshops.[84]
In 2024,The CW unveiled the global simulcast for KCON LA Sunday show, marking the first time the event was broadcasting live in American television.[85]
Jeff Benjamin, Billboard K-Town columnist, wrote that the convention has "hit every note to provide a new look at a world of music still gaining ground in the U.S.", and with thousands of people from all over North America attending KCON '12, the convention has "truly proved its ability to pass language barriers and kick-start what may be an annual music tradition."[86]The Orange County Register described KCON '12 as "A daylong K-Pop invasion at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater".[87]
In 2014, New York City'sFuse TV said, "In just three years, KCON has become an annual pilgrimage for K-pop fans in America."[38] NBC News said, "Thousands of screaming fans and the stars they adore gathered in Los Angeles for KCON, a celebration of Korean pop music and culture".[22]Miami's Fusion TV called KCON '14 "the mother ship of all Korean culture events in this country",[29] and observed, "k-pop fans might be the most devoted in the entire world."[23]Melissa Block ofNPR'sAll Things Considered said of KCON '14, "K-pop is here to stay."[41]
In 2015, Daniel Kreps ofRolling Stone wrote: "KCON has become so popular in the U.S. that even the Los Angeles fest is expanding to a larger venue...as attendance has ballooned since the inaugural KCON LA in 2012", and "will go bi-coastal...and head to Newark", adding, "KCON also hosted their first ever Japan convention."[2] August Brown of theLos Angeles Times wrote: "In its early years, many wondered whether a South Korean act (other than Psy) could impact mainstream top-40 pop. But after watching the Sunday night installment of KCON 2015, it's clear that's the wrong question. K-pop's young and wide-ranging audience is the new mainstream in America."[55]
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Line-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 13, 2012 | Irvine | United States | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | 10,000[12] | 4Minute,B.A.P,Exo-M,G.NA,NU'EST,VIXX |
| August 24, 2013 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 20,000[88] | 2AM,Dynamic Duo,Exo (K & M),f(x) (with DJ Koo),G-Dragon,Crayon Pop,Henry Lau,Missy Elliott,Teen Top,Yu Seung Woo (withHeejun Han) | |
| August 25, 2013 | |||||
| August 9, 2014 | 42,000[40] | G-Dragon,B1A4,IU, Teen Top, VIXX | |||
| August 10, 2014 | Girls' Generation,BTS,CNBLUE,Jung Joon-young,Spica | ||||
| April 22, 2015 | Saitama | Japan | Saitama Super Arena | 15,000[61] | Outdoor Stage 5tion, CODE-V,High4,Shu-I,Tahiti |
| M Countdown Stage Block B, B1A4,Boyfriend,Got7,Infinite,Jun. K,Kangnam,Lovelyz,My Name,Nicole,Sistar,Supernova | |||||
| August 1, 2015 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center | 58,000[64][78] | Got7,Monsta X,Roy Kim, Sistar,Super Junior |
| August 2, 2015 | AOA, Block B,Red Velvet,Shinhwa,Zion.T &Crush | ||||
| August 8, 2015 | Newark, New Jersey | Prudential Center | 17,000[64][78][79] | Girls' Generation,[89] VIXX,[90] AOA, Teen Top[91] | |
| November 6–7, 2015 | Jeju City | South Korea | Jeju Stadium | 17,000[80] | Convention Stage Day6,Park Boram,Paloalto,Sonamoo,Mamamoo,Poten, Roy Kim,Oh My Girl |
| Stadium Concert Block B, Kangnam, Teen Top, Spica, Roy Kim, Chen Zi Tong,SG Wannabe,Shin Seung-hun, Shinhwa | |||||
| March 25, 2016 | Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | Yas Island – DU ARENA | 8,000[92] | BTS,Taeyeon,Kyuhyun,Double S 301,Ailee, Monsta X, Spica |
| April 9, 2016 | Chiba | Japan | Makuhari Messe | 33,000[92] | AOA,Kim Sung-kyu, Lovelyz, Monsta X, Nicole,N.Flying,Winner |
| April 10, 2016 | 2PM, Boyfriend,Twice, Block B, Day6,Jun Jin,Heize | ||||
| June 2, 2016 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | 18,476[93] | BTS, Block B,Shinee,F.T. Island, f(x),I.O.I |
| June 24, 2016 | Newark, New Jersey | United States | Prudential Center | 40,000[citation needed] | Ailee, BtoB, Crush, Dynamic Duo,Seventeen |
| June 25, 2016 | BTS, Day6,Eric Nam, Mamamoo | ||||
| July 30, 2016 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | 35,000[citation needed] | Block B,Dean,Amber,GFriend, I.O.I, Shinee,Turbo | |
| July 31, 2016 | Astro, BTS,Davichi, Eric Nam,Girls' Generation-TTS, Monsta X, Twice | ||||
| March 17, 2017 | Mexico City | Mexico | Mexico City Arena | 33,000[citation needed] | BTS, Eric Nam,EXID,NCT 127 |
| March 18, 2017 | Astro,Infinite H, Monsta X, Red Velvet | ||||
| May 19, 2017 | Chiba | Japan | Makuhari Messe | 48,500[94] | Convention Stage A-Jax,Boys Republic, INX, NAUGHTYBOYS,Noh Ji Hoon,Pungdeng-E,Stellar,TopSecret,TRITOPS |
| M Countdown Stage Apeace, Astro,BTOB, Day6,Junho,Pristin,SF9,Victon | |||||
| May 20, 2017 | Convention Stage A-Jax, Boys Republic, INX, NAUGHTYBOYS, Noh Ji Hoon, Pungdeng-E, Stellar, TopSecret, TRITOPS, UNIONE | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Apink,Babylon,CLC, CNBLUE, Got7, Heize, Lovelyz, Monsta X | |||||
| May 21, 2017 | Convention Stage A-Jax, INX, NAUGHTYBOYS, Noh Ji Hoon, Pungdeng-E, Stellar, TopSecret, TRITOPS, UNIONE | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Block B, CODE-V, GFriend,K.Will,Pentagon, Seventeen,Boys24 Unit Black,Cosmic Girls | |||||
| June 23, 2017 | Newark, New Jersey | United States | Prudential Center | 43,000[citation needed] | GFriend,Highlight,KNK, SF9, Zion.T |
| June 24, 2017 | CNBLUE, NCT 127, Twice,UP10TION | ||||
| August 19, 2017 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | 40,000[95] | Cosmic Girls,Girl's Day, Seventeen, SF9,Super Junior-D&E, VIXX | |
| August 20, 2017 | Astro, Got7, Heize,Kard, NCT 127,Wanna One, Oh My Girl,Kim Tae-Woo | ||||
| September 22, 2017 | Sydney | Australia | Qudos Bank Arena | 21,000[96] | Exo, Girl's Day, Pentagon, SF9, Victon |
| September 23, 2017 | Cosmic Girls, Monsta X, SF9, UP10TION, Wanna One | ||||
| April 13, 2018 | Chiba | Japan | Makuhari Messe | 68,000[97] | Convention Stage CODE-V, Ha Min-woo,MASC, Million seller, Moon Shine, NEON |
| M Countdown Stage Gugudan,Momoland, Pentagon,Samuel, Wanna One,Rainz, Cosmic Girls, Victon,Chungha | |||||
| April 14, 2018 | Convention Stage A.C.E, CODE-V, Ha Min-woo, MASC, Million Seller, Moon Shine, NEON | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Fromis 9, GFriend, Seventeen,Stray Kids,Wooyoung, BLK,Imfact,Sik-K,TRCNG,Reddy | |||||
| April 15, 2018 | Convention Stage A.C.E, Ha Min-woo, MASC, Million Seller, Moon Shine, NEON | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Golden Child, Monsta X, SF9,Sunmi, Twice, Heize (with Davii),The Boyz, N.Flying,IN2IT | |||||
| June 23, 2018 | Newark, New Jersey | United States | Prudential Center | 53,000[98] | Heize, Pentagon, Red Velvet, Super Junior, Stray Kids |
| June 24, 2018 | EXID, Fromis 9, Wanna One, NCT 127, Golden Child | ||||
| August 11, 2018 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | 50,000[99] | Ailee, Crush, Dynamic Duo, Golden Child,IN2IT, Momoland, Twice, Wanna One, Davichi, Mia | |
| August 12, 2018 | Chungha, Fromis 9, Imfact,NU'EST W, Pentagon, Seventeen,Dreamcatcher, Roy Kim | ||||
| September 29, 2018 | Bangkok | Thailand | IMPACT Arena | 42,000[citation needed] | Chungha, Golden Child, Monsta X,Nature, Stray Kids, Sunmi, Wanna One |
| September 30, 2018 | Fromis 9,(G)I-dle, Got7, Pentagon, The Boyz,The East Light,Varsity | ||||
| May 17, 2019 | Chiba | Japan | Makuhari Messe | 68,000[citation needed] | Convention Stage A.C.E,A-Peace,D-Crunch, G Most, In&Cho,MAP6, MY.st,NTB,Oneus,Onewe,Pink Fantasy, SIM YEJUN,Spectrum,The Rose, Trei, Two.Brothers,Voisper |
| M Countdown Stage Kim Jaehwan, The Boyz,Ha Sung-woon, Momoland,Iz*One,Ateez,AB6IX,Jeong Se-woon,Cherry Bullet, The Rose | |||||
| May 18, 2019 | Convention Stage A-Peace, D-Crunch, G Most, In&Choo, MAP6, MY.st, Niiisans's, NTB, Oneus, Onewe, Pink Fantasy, SIM YEJUN, Spectrum, The Rose, Trei, Two.Brothers, Voisper | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Itzy,WJSN,Verivery, Monsta X,ONF, Chungha, NU'EST, A.C.E, The Rose,Park Ji-hoon, TARGET | |||||
| May 19, 2019 | Convention Stage A.C.E, A-Peace, G Most, In&Choo, MY.st, Niiisans's, NTB, Onewe, Pink Fantasy, SIM YEJUN, Spectrum, The Rose, Trei, Two.Brothers, Voisper | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Iz*One, Twice, Pentagon,GWSN, SF9, Oneus, Nature,VAV, Fromis 9, The Rose, D-Crunch | |||||
| July 6, 2019 | New York City[100] | United States | Madison Square Garden | — | NU'EST,TXT, Ateez, Iz*One, The Boyz,Kevin Woo |
| July 7, 2019 | Javits Center | SF9, (G)I-dle, AB6IX, Verivery, Seventeen, Fromis 9 | |||
| August 17, 2019 | Los Angeles[101] | Los Angeles Convention Center | AB6IX, Ateez, Iz*One,Loona, Momoland, NU'EST, SF9 | ||
| August 18, 2019 | Staples Center | Fromis 9, Itzy, Mamamoo, N.Flying, Seventeen, Stray Kids, Verivery | |||
| September 28, 2019 | Bangkok[102] | Thailand | IMPACT Arena | 45,000 | Boy Story,Everglow, Golden Child, Got7, Kim Jaehwan, Oneus, The Boyz, Itzy, Nature,X1 |
| September 29, 2019 | Iz*One, Stray Kids, AB6IX, Ateez, (G)I-dle, Verivery,Bvndit, Chungha, X1 |
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Line-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2020 | KCON:TACT Summer Live Online Concert & Meet and Greet Worldwide*(except countries below): Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam: Thailand: | Kim Jae-hwan (with special participation ofPark Woo-jin),Loona,Monsta X,The Boyz MC:Eric Nam Theme: New | |||
| June 21, 2020 | Cravity,GFriend,Itzy,JO1,Pentagon MC:Thelma Aoyama, Eric Nam Theme: Hope | ||||
| June 22, 2020 | Everglow, Iz*One,ONF,SF9,TXT MC: Eric Nam Theme: Fantasy | ||||
| June 23, 2020 | A.C.E,(G)I-dle,Kang Daniel,Stray Kids,Verivery MC: Eric Nam Theme: Love | ||||
| June 24, 2020 | AB6IX,Bvndit,Natty,Oh My Girl,TOO MC: Eric Nam Theme: Passion | ||||
| June 25, 2020 | Astro, Golden Child,Mamamoo,Nature,N.Flying MC: Eric Nam Theme: Dream | ||||
| June 26, 2020 | Ateez,Chungha,Oneus,Victon Special Online Collaboration with All Artists MC: Eric Nam Theme: One | ||||
| October 16, 2020 | KCON:TACT Season 2 (Fall) Live Online Concert & Meet and Greet Worldwide*(except countries below): Philippines: Thailand: | Day6 (Even of Day) (with special participation of ONF's Hyojin), Everglow,Sunmi,WEi (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Eric Nam | |||
| October 17, 2020 | A.C.E, JO1,Kard, Natty,Iz*One (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Thelma Aoyama, Eric Nam | ||||
| October 18, 2020 | Ateez,Dreamcatcher,Kim Woo-seok,Lee Eun-sang,Cho Seung-youn (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Eric Nam | ||||
| October 19, 2020 | A.C.E & Kim Woo-seok (Meet and Greet) | ||||
| October 20, 2020 | WEi & Cho Seung-youn (Meet and Greet) | ||||
| October 21, 2020 | Ghost9 & Lee Eun-sang (Meet and Greet) | ||||
| October 22, 2020 | TOO & Verivery (Meet and Greet) | ||||
| October 23, 2020 | Oneus, ONF, The Boyz, Verivery (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Eric Nam | ||||
| October 24, 2020 | AB6IX,Ha Sung-woon, Kim Jae-hwan,Park Ji-hoon (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Eric Nam | ||||
| October 25, 2020 | CLC, Ghost9, Loona, Mamamoo, TOO (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Eric Nam | ||||
| March 20, 2021 | KCON:TACT 3 Live Online Concert & Meet and Greet Worldwide(except countries below): South Korea: Japan: Philippines: Thailand: Malaysia: | AB6IX, Loona, Oh My Girl, The Boyz (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC:Lee Gi-kwang | |||
| March 21, 2021 | Dreamcatcher, SF9, TXT,Woodz (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| March 23, 2021 | JO1 (Meet and Greet) | ||||
| March 25, 2021 | Ha Sung-woon,iKON,Jessi, JO1,P1Harmony (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| March 26, 2021 | A.C.E, Everglow,Hyuna,Lee Jin-hyuk, Stray Kids (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| March 27, 2021 | Ateez,Enhypen, Itzy, Sunmi (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| March 28, 2021 | BtoB 4U, Kang Daniel, Mamamoo, TOO (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| June 19, 2021 | KCON:TACT 4U Live Online Concert & Meet and Greet Worldwide(except countries below): South Korea: Japan: Philippines: | Ha Sung-woon,Highlight, Loona, Oneus, P1Harmony (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | |||
| June 20, 2021 | A.C.E, Astro,Fromis 9,TO1,Weeekly (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| June 24, 2021 | Itzy, Pentagon,Seventeen, Verivery,Weki Meki (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| June 25, 2021 | CNBLUE, Everglow,Golden Child, JO1, ONF (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| June 26, 2021 | iKON, SF9, The Boyz (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| June 27, 2021 | BtoB, Oh My Girl, Stray Kids (Concert & Meet and Greet) MC: Lee Gi-kwang | ||||
| September 18, 2021 | KCON:TACT HI5 Live Online Concert & Meet and Greet Worldwide(except countries below): South Korea: Japan: Philippines: | AB6IX, Highlight, Park Ji-hoon, Weeekly, WEi (Concert & Meet and Greet) | |||
| September 19, 2021 | Dreamcatcher,Ghost9,Kwon Eunbi, Stray Kids (Concert & Meet and Greet) | ||||
| September 24, 2021 | Ateez,Ciipher, Mamamoo, Woodz (Concert & Meet and Greet) | ||||
| September 25, 2021 | BtoB, JO1, Kim Jae-hwan,Purple Kiss, TO1 (Concert & Meet and Greet) | ||||
| September 26, 2021 | Itzy, ONF,Rain,T1419, The Boyz (Concert & Meet and Greet) | ||||
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Line-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2022 | KCON 2022 PremiereSeoul[103] | South Korea | CJ ENM Center | TBA | Highlight,Monsta X,Nmixx,TO1,Viviz,Loona,WJSN,Brave Girls,Kep1er,Hyolyn |
| May 8, 2022 | Key,STAYC,The Boyz,NiziU, Viviz, Loona, WJSN, Brave Girls, Kep1er, Hyolyn | ||||
| May 14, 2022 | KCON 2022 PremiereChiba[104] | Japan | Makuhari Messe | Enjin,INI,JO1,Octpath,OWV, TO1 MC: Masayuki Furuya,Nako Yabuki | |
| May 15, 2022 | Enjin, INI, JO1, Octpath, OWV, TO1 MC: Masayuki Furuya,Hitomi Honda Special Guest:Yuto | ||||
| May 20, 2022 | KCON 2022 PremiereChicago | United States[105] | Rosemont Theatre | BtoB,Cravity, Nmixx | |
| May 21, 2022 | BtoB, STAYC, TO1 | ||||
| August 20, 2022 | Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena (Concert) LA Convention Center (Convention) | 90,000[106][107] | Ateez, Cravity,Enhypen, INI,Itzy, Kep1er,Lightsum,Stray Kids | |
| August 21, 2022 | Loona,NCT Dream, Nmixx,P1Harmony, STAYC, The Boyz, TO1, WJSN | ||||
| August 23, 2022 | KCON TourSan Francisco | Orpheum Theatre | TBA | Cravity, Lightsum, STAYC, TO1 | |
| August 25, 2022 | KCON TourMinneapolis | State Theatre | |||
| August 27, 2022 | KCON TourHouston | Sarofim Hall | |||
| August 28, 2022 | KCON TourDallas | Texas Trust CU Theatre | |||
| August 30, 2022 | KCON TourAtlanta | The Eastern | |||
| September 1, 2022 | KCON TourNew York | Terminal 5 | |||
| September 30, 2022 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia[108] | Boulevard Riyadh City | P1Harmony,Pentagon,Rain,Secret Number,Sunmi, The Boyz | |
| October 1, 2022 | Ateez, Hyolyn,NewJeans,Oneus, STAYC, TO1 | ||||
| October 14, 2022 | Tokyo | Japan[109] | Ariake Arena | Kihyun,Le Sserafim, Nmixx,TNX, INI, Octpath, TO1, Viviz | |
| October 15, 2022 | IVE, JO1, NewJeans,ATBO,DKZ,Fromis 9,Tomorrow X Together | ||||
| October 16, 2022 | Jo Yu-ri, Kep1er, NiziU,Tempest, Ateez, Brave Girls,DKB | ||||
| March 18, 2023 | Bangkok | Thailand[110] | IMPACT Arena | BamBam,(G)I-dle,iKON, JO1,Mbitious,Xikers, P1Harmony,8Turn | |
| March 19, 2023 | Youngjae, Ateez, Itzy, Kep1er, Tempest, INI, TO1, TNX | ||||
| May 12, 2023 | Chiba | Japan[111] | Makuhari Messe | 123,000[112] | The Boyz,Yena, NiziU, STAYC,Just B, INI, 8Turn |
| May 13, 2023 | AB6IX, Ateez, JO1, Viviz,XG, Le Sserafim, ATBO,DXTEEN | ||||
| May 14, 2023 | iKON, Itzy, Enhypen, Kep1er, Tempest,&TEAM, Xikers,Zerobaseone | ||||
| August 18, 2023 | Los Angeles | United States[113] | Crypto.com Arena (Concert) LA Convention Center (Convention) | 140,000[114] | Cravity, IVE,Shownu X Hyungwon, Nmixx,Taemin,Taeyong,WayV |
| August 19, 2023 | Ateez, INI, Kep1er, Rain, XG, Xikers, Zerobaseone | ||||
| August 20, 2023 | Everglow, (G)I-dle, Itzy, JO1,Lapillus, Stray Kids, The Boyz | ||||
| October 6, 2023 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | Boulevard Riyadh City | TBA | Everglow, Highlight, Hyolyn,Kard,Riize,Super Junior-D&E, 8Turn |
| October 7, 2023 | Dreamcatcher,El7z Up,Evnne,Oh My Girl,Super Junior, Tempest,The New Six | ||||
| March 30, 2024 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong, China | AsiaWorld–Expo | 45,000[115] | Aespa,BoyNextDoor, Highlight,TWS, WayV, Xikers, Yena, Viviz |
| March 31, 2024 | Ateez,Day6, JO1,Sistar19, Tempest, Viviz, Zerobaseone | ||||
| May 10, 2024 | Tokyo | Japan | Zozo Marine Stadium (Concert) Makuhari Messe (Convention) | 140,000[116] | Convention Stage BoyNextDoor, DXTEEN, INI,Hong Isaac,Is:sue, TWS |
| May 11, 2024 | Convention Stage Kep1er,Me:I,NCT Wish,N.SSign, P1Harmony, Tempest | ||||
| M Countdown Stage BoyNextDoor,B.D.U,Cha Eun-woo,Epex, INI, Kep1er, Key, NiziU, P1Harmony,Red Velvet, The New Six,The Wind, TWS, Zerobaseone | |||||
| May 12, 2024 | Convention Stage JO1, The Wind,TIOT,Wooah, &TEAM | ||||
| M Countdown Stage 8Turn,Hi-Fi Un!corn,Illit, Is:sue,Jung Yong-hwa, Me:I, NCT Wish,Taeyeon, Tempest, Xikers, Yena, &TEAM | |||||
| July 26, 2024 | Los Angeles | United States | Crypto.com Arena (Concert) LA Convention Center &Gilbert Lindsay Plaza (Convention) | TBA | Convention Stage AleXa, INI,Jo Yu-ri,P1Harmony,Zerobaseone |
| M Countdown Stage Bibi,BoyNextDoor, INI,Kep1er,P1Harmony,Taemin Special appearance: Zerobaseone | |||||
| July 27, 2024 | Convention Stage Bibi, BoyNextDoor, Hyolyn,LØREN, Nmixx Special appearance:Tiger JK | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Enhypen,g.o.d, Jo Yu-ri, Me:I, Nmixx, TWS Special appearance: P1Harmony | |||||
| July 28, 2024 | Convention Stage A.C.E, g.o.d, STAYC, TWS | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Jeon So-mi,NCT 127, STAYC, Zerobaseone,Zico Special appearance: Bibi,Hyolyn, INI, ME:I, TWS | |||||
| September 28, 2024 | Frankfurt | Germany | Messe Frankfurt | TBA | Convention Stage Dreamcatcher,Lee Young-ji,ONF,izna,The Boyz |
| M Countdown Stage Evnne,Illit,JO1,Kiss of Life,Miyeon,Nowadays, The Boyz,Yugyeom | |||||
| September 29, 2024 | Convention Stage Kiss of Life, Evnne,Kep1er, Yugyeom, JO1 | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Dreamcatcher, izna, Kep1er,Key, Lee Young-ji,Lun8, ONF,Riize | |||||
| May 9, 2025 | Chiba | Japan | Makuhari Messe | 110,000[117] | Convention Stage Cravity, Is:sue, Kep1er, Zerobaseone |
| M Countdown Stage Daesung, Evnne, INI, Is:sue, Jo Yu-ri,KickFlip,TripleS | |||||
| May 10, 2025 | Convention Stage JO1, ME:I, TripleS,Qwer | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Boynextdoor, DXTEEN, izna, JO1, Kep1er, P1Harmony, Taemin, Yena | |||||
| May 11, 2025 | Convention Stage Evnne, Highlight, izna, P1Harmony | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Cravity, Highlight,KiiiKiii, ME:I, Qwer, TWS, Zerobaseone | |||||
| August 1, 2025 | Los Angeles | United States | Crypto.com Arena (Concert) LA Convention Center | TBA | Convention Stage Cravity, izna, Lee Young-ji |
| M Countdown Stage Is:sue, IVE, Lee Young-ji, NCT 127, Nowz, P1Harmony, Zerobaseone | |||||
| August 2, 2025 | Convention Stage Hwasa,Meovv, Zerobaseone | ||||
| M Countdown Stage aespa, Choi Ho-jong, izna,Jackson Wang, JO1, Monsta X, Nmixx,Roy Kim,Yuqi | |||||
| August 3, 2025 | Convention Stage JO1, Kep1er, P1Harmony, Roy Kim | ||||
| M Countdown Stage Cravity, Hwasa,HxW, Kep1er, Key, Meovv, Riize, Zerobaseone |
In 2012, Koreaboo's founders created and produced the first ever K-POP Convention in the US called "KCON" with Mnet and CJ E&M.
Originally having created just two years ago by Koreaboo, Mnet Media and CJ E&M, KCON first recorded 10,000 fans for a one-night convention.
CNN's Michael Holmes talks with M-Net's President, Ted Kim about "K-Con", an event that focused on Korean culture.
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)G-Dragon, along with seven other groups, performed at this August's second annual K-Con in Los Angeles, which provided 20,000 fans from across North America and abroad a chance to soak in a culture that,
