5 Reasons Why KCON Is an Exceptional Event Every K-pop Fan Should Attend

KCON first took place in 2012 in Southern California, with the vision of creating a global hub for K-pop fans and bringing them together with their favorite artists. Over the years, the event has expanded internationally, and this year’s 12th edition in Los Angeles once again demonstrated why KCON is one of the premier events that any K-pop fan could hope to attend.

Held from July 26-28, KCON LA 2024 brought together millions of fans from 170 different countries, both online and offline, making it the most successful KCON in history. With its rich content, special stages, massive lineup, and amazing guests, KCON once again offered its participants an unforgettable and unique experience. In fact, this is what KCON does every year. So, what makes KCON so special and sets it apart from countless other K-pop concerts?

As someone who has been interested in K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean culture for more than ten years, here are my thoughts.

1.       KCON: The Ultimate Destination for Any Korean Pop Culture Fans

If you’re a book lover, a fair filled with books, publishers, and authors would be your dream destination; if you’re a coffee aficionado, you wouldn’t want to miss a coffee expo where you can discover and taste unique coffees from around the world. Similarly, KCON stands out as the ultimate destination for K-pop enthusiasts, offering everything they could dream of through its dedicated festival and concert!

First and foremost, KCON ensures an extraordinary and unforgettable lineup for its attendees! KCON LA 2024 featured an impressive array of artists, including AleXa, A.C.E., APOKI, BIBI, BINI, BOYNEXTDOOR, CRAXY, DRIPPIN, DXMON, ENHYPEN, god, HYOLYN, INI, Isaac Hong, Jeon Somi, Jo Yuri, Kep1er, KATSEYE, Kim Soo Hyun, LØREN, ME:I, NCT127, NMIXX, P1Harmony, Park Min Young, POW, STAYC, Taemin, TWS, Tiger JK, ZEROBASEONE, ZICO.

Every day, fans are treated to performances by major K-pop groups, rising rookie acts that generate just as much excitement, beloved solo artists, and MCs—bringing together a massive lineup that you won’t easily find anywhere else.

While K-pop is the main focus and heart of the event, KCON goes beyond just music. It offers a vibrant range of content, from K-fashion and the increasingly popular Korean language to Korean cuisine and K-dramas, covering a variety of themes that appeal to all interests.

And the best part? The K-pop spirit! KCON unites participants from different countries and fandoms under the shared love of K-pop, creating an incredible atmosphere! As P1HARMONY’s Keeho mentioned in his interview with Billboard, the festival is also an opportunity to connect with friends in the lineup who share common backgrounds.

At KCON, where the K-pop spirit is felt all day long, fans are provided with the perfect environment to form new bonds and friendships.

2.       Festival Area: Non-Stop Excitement and Entertainment!

KCON LA stands out for its separation of festival and concert areas, creating a dynamic experience. The concert, known as M Countdown, takes place in a large arena in the evening, while attendees spend their time before the concert immersed in the vibrant festival area.

This festival space is what truly distinguishes KCON from ordinary K-pop concerts, offering a uniquely special experience.

With the festival gates opening at 10 a.m. and the main concert starting around 5 p.m. (though times may vary), you might wonder how to fill so many hours indoors. However, KCON offers such a packed and rich array of activities that you won’t want to miss a single moment or take a break!  

Participants encounter world-renowned Korean skincare and makeup brands, booths featuring popular webtoons in creative ways, the giant Korean brand Samsung, Korean snack booths frequently seen in dramas, mini stores packed with hundreds of K-pop products, and much more!

Additionally, KCON introduces fantastic sections each year to satisfy the K-pop wave, such as a mini-exhibit featuring iconic costumes worn by artists in their music videos, signed albums, and personal items recognizable at first sight by fans; a massive memory wall where fans can leave notes for their favorite artists, photo booths, and many other special sections!

With these, along with mind-blowing sections like the Connecting Stage, Meet and Greet, and KCON Stage, the KCON LA festival area truly offers a jam-packed, rich, and unique experience where participants enjoy every second.

3. Have Fun with Your Favorites: The Connecting Stage

Like most K-pop fans, I’ve always loved variety shows that let me get to know my favorite artists better and have fun with them. That’s why one of my favorite parts of KCON is the Connecting Stage! A key feature of KCON’s festival area, the Connecting Stage offers performances by various artists throughout the day, each lasting 20-30 minutes.

To ensure fans don’t miss a moment due to language barriers, MCs join the artists on stage for mini-games, interviews, Q&A sessions, and funny interactions—creating a vibe similar to a variety show, but right in front of you, making you part of the experience!

If what makes your favorite K-pop groups special to you is not only their music but also their personalities and playful nature, and if you want to unwind a bit amidst the hustle and bustle of the festival while spending time with your beloved artists, you’ll absolutely love the Connecting Stage!

4. Meet and Greet and Exclusive Interviews

Just like the Connecting Stage, the Meet and Greet offers fans (with a special ticket) the chance to step onto the stage and greet their favorite artists in person. Additionally, special fan meetings feature world-renowned stars giving exclusive interviews on stage, taking fan-artist interactions to a more vivid and personal level!

What’s more, these exclusive fan meetings get even more incredible each year! This year’s guests included K-drama stars Park MinYoung and Kim SooHyun. Could it get any better?

Well, it can be (though it’s quite a challenge!)—because it’s KCON!

5.       The Best Part: Unforgettable Close Encounters with Your Favorite Artists!

When attending a concert, the chance to interact closely with your favorite artist is often a matter of luck. The same applies at KCON, but with a twist—this time, your chances are a hundred times greater! At a typical K-pop concert, you’d likely need to secure front-row seats to get a close view or snap a selfie with the artist. However, at KCON, idols are constantly on the move, interacting with fans at small stages, visiting booths, and making these moments a reality.

With a bit of speed, and luck, and by keeping track of which artist visits which area or booth at what time, you can get incredibly close to your favorite stars. This creates an experience that is both surreal and unforgettable for K-pop fans.

From the Connecting Stage to the red carpet and booth visits to their way back backstage, fans encounter their idols in various settings, enjoying many small yet magical moments, such as high fives, and iconic hand hearts- where fans make half-hearts with one hand and the idols complete them by making the other half with their own hand-, and rare but not impossible- selfies!

One of the key aspects that makes KCON so unique for K-pop fans is its ability to break down the barrier between fans and idols, bringing them onto the same level. This creates an exceptional opportunity for close and frequent interactions that are hard to find at any other event!

 KCON is a must-experience event for every K-pop fan!

With spectacular stages, unforgettable fan-artist interactions, vibrant booths, and countless other attractions, KCON is a must-experience event for every K-pop fan. If you didn’t make it to this year’s KCON, don’t worry—KCON 2025 will return with an even more incredible lineup and memorable moments that you won’t want to miss!