KCON
The lineup for this year’s KCON LA just got even more robust, with aespa, NCT 127 and several more star K-pop acts joining the list of previously confirmed performers in a second wave of lineup announcements unveiled Monday (May 12).
In addition to the “Whiplash” girl group and the NCT subunit, RIIZE, KISS OF LIFE, MEOVV, NOWADAYS, MONSTA X, KEY, HWASA and YUQI have also been added to the 2025 lineup. The festival also revealed that CHOIHOJUNG, who won Mnet’s dance competition series STAGE FIGHTER, will perform too.
The news comes a couple of weeks after the Los Angeles iteration of the global KCON enterprise revealed the first set of names headed to Crypto.com Arena this year. Among them were CRAVITY, SEVENTEEN subunit HxW, IS:SUE, IVE, izna, JO1, LEE YOUNGJI, NMIXX, P1Harmony, Roy Kim and ZEROBASEONE.
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KCON LA will take place Aug. 1-3 at the downtown L.A. venue, featuring multiple stages such as ARTIST STAGE, MEET & GREET, X STAGE and M COUNTDOWN. The 2025 theme is “KLOVER’S CLUB FAIR,” taking inspiration from the lucky symbolism of four-leaf clovers.
In addition to musical performances and opportunities to see their favorite K-pop artists up close, attendees of the festival will also get to experience different facets of Korean culture through different activities and stations dedicated to fashion, beauty and food.
“This year, [organizer] CJ ENM plans for a more immersive KCON LA 2025, expanding both on-site and digital experiences,” reads a release, which adds that the festival was “designed to help fans connect directly with their favorite idols, discover emerging acts on X STAGE, and join dance and participation programs designed just for them.”
The L.A. installment of KCON is just one of several that take place each year. Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, United Arab Emirates, France, Mexico, Australia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia have also hosted iterations since the inaugural festival kicked off in the United States in 2012.
In 2024, KCON LA attracted more than 5.9 million fans from 170+ countries, both on-site and virtually.
The first wave of acts locked in to perform at this year’s KCON Los Angeles has been announced.
As unveiled Monday (April 28), the 2025 performer lineup will feature, in alphabetical order: CRAVITY,SEVENTEEN subunit HxW, IS:SUE, IVE, izna, JO1, LEE YOUNGJI, NMIXX, P1Harmony, Roy Kim and ZEROBASEONE. Organizers of the three-day event are expected to announce several more batches of artists in later weeks.
Taking place Aug. 1-3 at Crypto.com Arena in L.A., 2025’s KCON LA will also have a theme: “KLOVER’S CLUB FAIR.” Drawing inspiration from lucky four-leaf clovers, the event will feature different stages and activities that cater specifically to K-pop fans while promising the good fortune of access to their favorite artists. And those who love Korean culture as a whole will have much to experience in addition to music, with stations focusing on fashion, beauty and food.
The L.A. installment of KCON is just one of many that take place annually around the world, with the festival also hosting iterations in Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, United Arab Emirates, France, Mexico, Australia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia since first kicking off in the United States in 2012. In 2024, KCON LA attracted more than 5.9 million fans from 170+ countries, both on-site and through virtual opportunities to join in.
The 2025 KCON LA will be extra special for the guys of P1Harmony, who will return this year after performing at last year’s festival as well. “It’s really a convention to show off Korean culture and what’s hot and upcoming in Korean culture, like K-beauty, music, food,” band leader Keeho told Billboard backstage at the 2024 event.
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He added at the time: “To be able to go there and just be part of that wave of representation, and showcase what’s new, I feel like it’s really really good to take part.”
KCON is back!
Entertainment company CJ ENM announced on Thursday (Jan. 23) its official dates for the K-pop festival’s Japan and United States shows this year. KCON JAPAN 2025 will take place in the country’s Chiba prefecture from May 9 to 11. Shortly after, KCON LA 2025 will take place from August 1 to 3.
Venue information, performing artists and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
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KCON, which launched in the United States in 2012 and has since expanded to all over the globe, combines “masterfully produced K-pop shows with a convention where fans can experience every aspect of Korean culture – from music and fashion, to television and food,” per the event’s description.
KCON LA 2024, which took place at Crypto Arena, L.A. Convention Center and Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, featured performances by Alexas, A.CE., Apoki, Bibi, Boynextdoor, Craxy, Drippin, Dxmon, Enhyphen, god, Hyolyn, INI, Isaac Hong, Jeon Somi, Jo Yuri, Kep1er, Katseye, Kim Soo Hyun, Me:I, NCT 127, NMIXX, P1Harmony, Park Min Young, Pow, Stayc, Taemin, TWS, Tiger JK, Zerobaseone and Zico.
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Last year’s festival marked an incredible success for the company, with KCON JAPAN notching a record-breaking crowd of 140,000 and attracting over 5.9 million fans worldwide for KCON LA 2024 both at the festival site and via its digital platforms. KCON also made U.S. history with the first-ever national primetime broadcast of a K-pop show with CW Network’s live broadcast.
KCON is returning to Los Angeles on July 26 to 28, and the first set of performers has officially been revealed. Day one at Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles will feature performances by Bibi, P1Harmony, Taemin and Zerobaseone. Day two will include ENHYPEN, NMIXX, TWS and Hyolyn. Day three will wrap with performances by […]
KCON just keeps getting bigger. Entertainment company CJ ENM announced on Wednesday (Jan. 10) this year’s plan for the K-Pop and K-culture festival, including its first ever stop in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong date will kick off the festival series, taking place at AsiaWorld-Expo on March 30 and 31. The 10,000-capacity arena will host create […]
K-pop newcomer LEO opens up about his new track “One Look,” the fan reaction to his new music, being inspired by Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Bryson Tiller and more at KCON LA 2023.
Tetris Kelly:We’re hanging out at KCON with brand new artist LEO. Man, welcome to L.A.! How’s it been treating you?
LEO:Oh, thank you so much. It’s been good. It’s been chill. Yeah.
Tetris Kelly:I’m glad it’s been chill, but it hasn’t been chill in your life. You recently joined 131 Label. I’ve been following your updates online. So tell me what the average day is like for you?
LEO:Yeah, well, actually, we’ve been busy just making music and we’ve had a lot of sessions and obviously filmed a music video. Song’s just out a few days ago. It’s been pretty busy.
Tetris Kelly:And I mean, you’ve traveled all the way from Australia to Korea to start your career. So what made you want to do that?
LEO:Obviously, I was inspired a lot by Korean culture, Korean music and obviously, I love music too. So natural.
Tetris Kelly:Oh, it’s natural! Well, what’s one word to describe LEO for those of you out there who want to get to know you?
LEO:Shy?
Tetris Kelly:Oh, he says he’s shy. We’ll find out about that. And then your new music. Tell me about your next single.
LEO:Yes. “One Look” came out a few days ago. I’m very pleased for it to come out. And you know, a lot of people have been showing it a lot of love, so I’m very, very happy.
Tetris Kelly:Who are some artists that inspire you?
LEO:I think my favorite artists are Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Bryson Tiller, just to name a few.
Tetris Kelly:Well, Drake is playing at this arena, I think last week, so we’re sharing the Drake energy right now. You got to channel that.
LEO:Yeah. Well, I went … I went actually, but yeah, it was amazing. Yeah.
Tetris Kelly:That’s super awesome. And tell me what’s something you want to tell to your fans out there.
LEO:Obviously, thank you for listening to “One Look,” showing it a lot of love and thank you for just supporting me, and can’t wait to see you guys on stage.
Tetris Kelly:We’re excited for you. Thanks for hanging out with Billboard.
LEO:Thank you so much.
Watch the full video above!
KCON is returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena this summer, bringing the heat with its 2023 lineup announced on Wednesday (June 14). ATEEZ, CRAVITY, (G)I-DLE, INI, ITZY, IVE, JO1, Kep1er, Lapillus, SHOWNU X HYUNGWON (from MONSTA X), NMIXX, Rain, Stray Kids, TAEMIN, TAEYONG, THE BOYZ, WayV, xikers, ZEROBASEONE and EVERGLOW are […]
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