Thousands of K-Pop fans head to downtown Los Angeles this weekend for KCON, a three-day festival that celebrates Korean pop culture through concerts, fan events and exhibitions.
This weekend marks the 13th iteration of KCON. Since its founding in 2012, the festival has attracted millions of fans to Los Angeles each year, cementing the city’s role as a long-standing home for the event.
“KCON has grown into a global phenomenon, and no city will accept it like LA,” said Councillor Katy Yaroslavsky.
The three-day event is scheduled for August 1-3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and crypto.com Arena. Every day includes a complete convention with panels, workshops and interactive experiences, followed by a nightly concert.
The festival will showcase five different stages, including the latest X-stage showcasing up-and-coming K-pop artists. The festival is known for hosting BTS in one of the early US appearances.
On Friday, the city council declared “KCON Day” on August 1 in honor of the festival’s economic and cultural impact and the global K-Pop movement.
In 2024, over 5.9 million fans from over 170 countries participated in the Los Angeles celebration. Officials say they are hoping for even higher attendance this year.
“The economic impact of KCON and the global K-POP movement cannot be overstated,” said Councillor Karen Price.
Doane Liu, executive director of the city’s tourism division, said KCON stands out as it returns to Los Angeles every year, unlike most major practices of rotating locations.
“We look forward to hosting KCON every year in the future and are working very closely with KCON to make sure it’s ink,” added Liu.
Consulate General Kim Young Wang of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles joined council members and KCON organizers for a presentation on Friday to announce their dedication.
“KCON’s perceptions have special meaning not only for Koreans and Angelenos, but also for global fans of all ages, all different backgrounds and ethnic groups,” Young Wang said.
KCON grew from 10,000 participants in Anaheim in its first year to reach over 5.9 million fans in over 170 countries in 2024.
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