KCON (music festival)

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KCON
File:KCON 2012.jpg
Artists on stage at KCON 2012
Genre Korean pop
Dates (dates vary)
Frequency Annual
Location(s) United States:
Irvine, California
Los Angeles
Newark, New Jersey
Other:
Saitama, Japan
Jeju, South Korea
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Chiba, Japan
Paris, France
Inaugurated 2012
Next event 2016
Organized by CJ E&M
Koreaboo
Mnet Media
Powerhouse Live
Website
kconusa.com

KCON is an annual K-Pop convention held in the United States and Japan, organized by Powerhouse Live, Mnet Media, CJ E&M and Koreaboo.[1] It started in 2012 and is based in Southern California but expanded to the East Coast and Japan in 2015.[2][3] Koreaboo broke news that in 2016, KCON would be expanding into Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the date set for March 25.[4]

Background

KCON is produced by Powerhouse Live and organized by the South Korean music label and entertainment agency Mnet America.[5] It was created in 2012 by K-Pop media company, Koreaboo in partnership with Mnet America and CJ E&M.[6][7] KCON's aim is to establish an annual flagship event that will 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.[8] During KCON ‘12, Mnet Media's Ted Kim was interviewed by journalist Michael Holmes from CNN to discuss about the rise of K-Pop in the United States.[5]

History

2012

KCON ‘12 was held on October 13 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California. Music artists invited to perform include 4Minute, B.A.P, Exo-M, Nu'est, VIXX, and G.NA. Jeff Yang of The Wall Street Journal reported that KCON ‘12 attracted over 10,000 people.[9]

2013

Amber of f(x) KCON '13

KCON ‘13 was held from August 24 to 25 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The lineup included K-Pop artists EXO (K & M), 2AM, Teen Top, f(x), G-Dragon, Crayon Pop, Dynamic Duo, Yu Seung Woo and DJ Koo. It also included rapper Missy Elliott, who is featured on one of G-Dragon's singles.[10][11] Super Junior-M's Henry Lau performed and spoke at a panel.[12] [13]

2014

Girls' Generation 2014 red carpet.
Host Eric Nam with BTS 2014.

KCON '14 was held on August 9–10, returning for a second year to Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.[14] The artist lineup included B1A4, BTS, CNBLUE, G-Dragon, Girls' Generation, IU, Jung Joon-young, Spica, Teen Top, and VIXX. Featured guests included Lee Seung-gi, Lee Seo-jin, Yoo In-na, Nam Gyu-ri, Kim Ji-seok; and Eric Nam,[15][16] who hosted red carpet interviews, filmed by Viki.[17]DramaFever documented the red carpet, explaining the missing Girls' Generation 9th member, Sooyoung, who was filming a drama.[18]NBC News interviewed Billboard K-Town columnist Jeff Benjamin, journalist-author Euny Hong, and Girls' Generation's Seohyun and Tiffany to answer "what is K-pop"."[19] In response to Fusion 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."[20]

The two nightly concerts[21][22][23][24] were shown on the weekly K-pop cable television show, M! Countdown, "2 Nights in LA" broadcast on Mnet America in the U.S., and in multiple countries.[25][26][27] Danny Im of Mnet America's show, "Danny From LA", hosted the concerts, along with "DFLA" co-host Dumbfoundead, Jung Joon-young, Tiffany, and opener Lee Seung-gi.[28][29][30]"DFLA", in its third season, filmed a live taping of the show, at the convention.[31][32]

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.[33] The convention included an outdoor marketplace, food truck alley, a mini 4DX theatre, and open stage area; with panels and workshops about music, k-dramas, e-sports, choreography styles, makeup, hair trends; and as billed, "all things Hallyu”.[26][34][35] Included this year, was a "League of Legends Champion Festival", a tournament with stars of the Korean gaming team present.[16][20][26]

The convention doubled attendance from the previous year, with 42,000 attending, nearly 40 percent coming from outside California,[36] most were girls, and less than 10 percent were Korean.[37]

2015

Saitama, Japan - April 22

KCON '15 expanded outside the United States for the first time and was held in Japan at the Saitama Super Arena. M.I.B's Korean-Japanese vocalist KangNam was the events ambassador.[38] The convention/outdoor stage featured Korean artists CODE-V, High4, Shu-I, Tahiti, and 5tion. Performances on the main stage included Got7, Super Junior, Kangnam, My Name, Lovelyz, Block B, Sistar, Infinite, B1A4, 2PM's Jun. K, and Supernova.[39]

Freelance journalist Patrick St. Michel, who has lived in Japan for years, covered the Saitama event for MTV Iggy, complimenting the eagerness of the enthusiastic fans (15,000 at the concert), and KCON 15's successful soft sell of K-pop as a means to help smooth over a long and complicated relationship between Japan and South Korea.[40]

Los Angeles - July 31 - August 2

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 to L.A. Live and the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles.[41]

The convention was preceded with U.S. news reports about the drama and film stars to attend, People interviewed "Korean heartthrob" Kim Soo-hyun,[42] and The Hollywood Reporter accounted for Kim (My Love from the Star), Korean American Ki Hong Lee (The Maze Runner, one of People’s "Sexiest Men Alive"), U.S. born Daniel Henney (his latest Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders) and Son Ho-jun (Reply 1994); as well as drama sessions to be headlined by writer Park Ji-eun (producer, My Love From Another Star) and director Jin Hyuk (Master's Sun, Doctor Stranger).[43] Actor Son Ho-jun and director Go Min-gum of tvN's "Mr. Baek the Homemade Food Master" appeared at DramaFever's co-sponsored screening room of trending K-dramas.[44]

English language South Korean media Yonhap called the musical line-up "some of the hottest K-pop artists."[45] It included AOA, Block B, Crush, Got7, Monsta X, Red Velvet, Roy Kim, Shinhwa, Sistar, Super Junior and Zion.T.[45][46][47] 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.[46]

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.[47] Billboard gave detailed positive reviews for both night's concerts,[47][48] and interviewed Red Velvet[49] and Got7.[50]

The Los Angeles Times reviewed Sunday's stage, "the year's most significant concert for one of the world's most fascinating music and cultural scenes."[51] "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.[52] Fusion TV named seven of their "favorite KCON fashion statements" of the performing bands.[53]

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).[52] 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.[52] KCON organizer Killoren reiterated that the convention was not just music, but more, "a convention, a concert, content, a conversation."[52]

South Korea government's web portal Korea.net article stated 120 small and medium-sized enterprises set up booths, and included photos taken by Small and Medium Business Administration staff.[54] They said, "Angelenos have shown their strong enthusiasm for all things Korean."[54]

NewYork- August 8

KCON '15 made plans to expand to New York City, outside of Southern California in the US for the first time,[55] with an April 24 announcement they would become bi-coastal, not exactly in N.Y.C., but at the Prudential Center in New York's metropolitan area, in Newark, NJ, a week after the L.A. date.[56][57]

A day before opening, Vogue discussed fashion and favorite designers with AOA and VIXX,[58] the later kept busy with a first time "showcase" in Orlando, Florida.[59] 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."[58] After focusing on the idol's fashion wear in L.A., Fusion TV shared the East Coast's fan's homemade and designer fashions.[60]

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 by emcees, and "hi-touches" or high fives between fans and band members.[61]

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.[62] N.Y.'s Washington Heights group, The Class, won with a performance of VIXX's "Hyde", and will travel to South Korea to represent the U.S. at the K-Pop World Festival.[63]

Teen Top's appearance made them the first band to perform for three consecutive years;[64] along with Girls' Generation,[45] AOA and VIXX.[58]

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."[65]

The New York Times said, "The tears began as soon as Teen Top waved hello," and interviewed passionate fans,[66] some who lined up for the concert at 2:00 a.m.,[65][66] and attended both the West and East Coast shows.[66] They described fans who wear facial cleanser used by actress Song Ji-hyo of variety show Running Man; and according to DramaFever, watch over 53.9 hours per month streaming videos, compared with about 10.7 hours for Netflix users, are 85 percent non-Asian, and mostly women ages 18 to 24.[66]

Fuse TV said the convention attendees were represented by all racial 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."[67]

Jeju, South Korea - November 6–7

In November, KCON held its first 2-day domestic convention and concerts on the South Korean island of Jeju.[68][69][70] 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,[71] Roy Kim, Block B, SG Wannabe, SPICA, M.I.B's Kangnam, Poten, Park Boram (soloist from Superstar K2), Oh My Girl, Shin Seung-hun, Teen Top, Day6, Paloalto, Mamamoo, Sonamoo and Chen Zi Tong.[72]

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.[68]

2015 total attendance

By the end of August, KCON '15's total attendance for the U.S. and Japan was 90,000; L.A.'s three days had 58,000 attendance and the two concerts in Staples Center with a sold-out crowd of 28,000 fans and Gross Sales $2,055,800,[73] Newark's total was 17,000, and Saitama had 15,000.[60][74][75]

In November, the yearly attendance totals grew to 107,000, with the addition of the Jeju dates, which approximately 17,000 attended.[76]

2016

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - March 25

KCON '16 announced its first event will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on March 25. The list of K-pop stars to attend includes BTS, Taeyeon from Girls' Generation, Kyuhyun from Super Junior, Monsta X, SS301, Ailee and SPICA [77]

Chiba, Japan - April 9–10

KCON '16 was announced for a first time event at Chiba, Japan.[78]

Paris, France - June 2

KCON '16 announced advance into Europe with an event for the first time at Paris, France.The list of K-pop stars attending includes f(x), FTISLAND,SHINee, Block B, I.O.I, and BTS.[79][80]

New York - June 24–25

KCON '16 was announced to return for a second year to the NYC area, June 24–25, again at the Prudential Center.[78][81]

Los Angeles - July 29–31

KCON '16 was announced for July 29–31, for its fifth anniversary in California, and its fourth in Los Angeles, returning for a second year to the Staples Center.[78][81]

Reception

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."[82] The Orange County Register described KCON ‘12 as "A daylong K-Pop invasion at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater".[83]

In 2014, New York City's Fuse TV said, "In just three years, KCON has become an annual pilgrimage for K-pop fans in America.[35] 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".[19] Miami's Fusion TV called KCON '14 "the mother ship of all Korean culture events in this country",[26] and observed, "k-pop fans might be the most devoted in the entire world."[20] Melissa Block of NPR's All Things Considered said of KCON '14, "K-pop is here to stay."[37]

In 2015, Rolling Stone said "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."[3] Los Angeles Times said, "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."[51]

Locations and dates

Date City Country Venue Attendance Line-up
October 13, 2012 Irvine United States Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 10,000[9] 4Minute, B.A.P, EXO-M, G.NA, NU'EST, VIXX
August 24, 2013 Los Angeles Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 20,000[84] 2AM, Dynamic Duo, EXO (K & M)), F(x) (with DJ Koo), G-Dragon, Crayon Pop, Henry Lau, Missy Elliott, Teen Top, Yu Seung Woo (with Heejun Han)
August 25, 2013
August 9, 2014 42,000[36] G-Dragon, B1A4, IU, Teen Top, VIXX
August 10, 2014 SNSD, BTS, CNBLUE, Jung Joon-young, Spica
April 22, 2015 Saitama Japan Saitama Super Arena   Outdoor Stage:
5tion, CODE-V, High4, Shu-I, Tahiti
15,000[57] 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[60][74] GOT7, Monsta X, Roy Kim, Sistar, Super Junior
August 2, 2015 AOA, Block B, Red Velvet, Shinhwa, Zion.T & Crush
August 8, 2015 New York Prudential Center 17,000[60][74][75] Girls' Generation[85] VIXX,[86] AOA, Teen Top[87]
November 6–7, 2015 Jeju South Korea Jeju Stadium 17,000[76] 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[88] BTS, Taeyeon, Kyuhyun, Double S 301, Ailee, Monsta X, SPICA
April 9, 2016 Chiba Japan Makuhari Messe 33,000[88] 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 Accor Hotels Arena TBA BTS, Block B, SHINee,F.T. Island, f(x), I.O.I
June 24, 2016 New York United States Prudential Center TBA Ailee, BtoB, Crush + Dynamic Duo, Seventeen
June 25, 2016 BTS, DAY6, Eric Nam, Mamamoo
July 30, 2016 Los Angeles Staples Center TBA Block B, GFriend, TWICE, CNBLUE, Girls' Generation-TTS, BTS, ASTRO, DΞΔN, SHINee, I.O.I
July 31, 2016 (Exact lineup dates are not confirmed)

References

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External links