KCON, a global K-Pop festival featuring performances and panels, is returning to Los Angeles in July.
The three-day event, taking place at the Crypto.com Arena, L.A. Convention Center and Gilbert Lindsay Plaza in DTLA, will once again give local K-Pop fans the chance to see a slew of popular groups under the same roof.
The festival, put on by CJ ENM, officially announced its lineup today (June 5) after having previously released a partial lineup earlier in the week. Acts such as Enhypen, SHINee’s Taemin, NMIXX and P1Harmony are among the groups set to participate.
“Last year’s KCON L.A. marked a turning point and focused on expanding both the size and scope of KCON, such as having a major media partner for the first time and we are excited to build on this momentum,” CJ ENM’s head of music entertainment Harry H.K. Shin said in a release, referring to returning title sponsor Samsung Galaxy.
Expanding from years past, KCON plans to utilize four stages: M Countdown (named after the weekly Korean music show from KCON’s parent company), KCON stage, meet and greet and showcase, which hopes to introduce L.A. fans to rookie acts who haven’t promoted heavily in the U.S.
This year’s roster features 25 artists across the four stages, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks, according to a release. The lineup includes: A.C.E, APOKI, BIBI, BOYNEXTDOOR, Craxy, Drippin, DXMON, Enhypen, god, Sistar’s Hyolyn, I-LAND 2, INI, Isaac Hong, Jeon Somi, Jo Yuri, Kep1er, ME:I, NMIXX, P1Harmony, POW, STAYC, SHINee’s Taemin, TWS, ZEROBASEONE and Zico.
While much of the group’s lineup has played the L.A. festival previously, there are some newcomers for 2024. Among them is god, a first-generation boy group (K-Pop groups are often grouped into “generations” based on when they debuted). I-LAND 2 is also a new addition. I-LAND 2: N/a is a Korean music survival show currently on air that is aiming to create a brand new girl group. Fellow attendees Enhypen were formed through the show’s first season, I-LAND.
KCON will take place July 26-28. Presale for KCON starts Friday, June 7 at 4 p.m. PT and general onsale begins Monday, June 10 at 4 p.m. PT.
