KCON Nolja!: 10 Highlights from KCON LA 2026
- Aliyah Hinckley
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 17 minutes ago
Where else can you go to see live performances by your favorite K-pop artists, learn about and sample Korean skincare, and experience everything from K-food to K-culture all in one place? KCON, of course! From August 14 to the 16th, K-pop, K-beauty, K-food, and K-story took over the Los Angeles Convention Center, while the Crypto.com Arena hosted the M COUNTDOWN concert each night. Last year, the city of Los Angeles declared August 1 as “KCON Day,” and the festival continues to grow into a major event every year, drawing 142,000 fans from near and far to experience it in person.
The experience doesn’t just start at KCON. K-pop fan signs hosted by a variety of stores, special events like HALLYUVERSE’s random play dance where &TEAM appeared, and even promotions for NEXZ’s new single “SAUCIN’” at Mel's Drive-In in Santa Monica (where the members handed out meals and signed coasters), filled the week leading up to KCON and continued afterwards, making it feel like K-pop briefly took over Los Angeles. You might have feared missing out on at least one of the special events, but hopefully you were able to catch one!
Mido attended KCON for the first time last year where we had the chance to interview fans and capture some of the moments happening both on stage and throughout the convention. As we look back at our second trip to KCON LA, we’re sharing 10 highlights from the three-day festival below.
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KCON Nolja (놀자)! New catchphrase, same fun at KCON LA
“KCON Nolja!” A phrase that means “KCON, let's play!” in Korean greeted KCONers this year as festival-goers embraced the fun and cheerfulness of the weekend. You would have known for sure which artists were performing on which days because most fans came styled from head to toe in artists’ merch and photocard accessories or DIY outfits to represent their favorite artist. Many could tell &TEAM and SANTOS BRAVOS were in the area on Day 1, as a group of fans actually replicated the light blue outfits &TEAM wore in their “Lunatic” music video. Depending on where you were at any time, you might just stumble upon a fan giving out freebies. Walls and poles wrapped with photos of the KCON artists were posted all around the convention center, making for the perfect photo spots.
Performances You’ve Been Waiting For!
There were so many talented artists and incredible performances throughout KCON, but we wanted to highlight a few that made a lasting impact on us. Singer from20 brought out a diverse and inclusive group of dancers and performers (YouTuber Loey Lane and social creator Kevin Ninh) on stage with him for his “BIG BOY” performance on M COUNTDOWN, showcasing representation that we don’t always see in K-pop and mainstream media. WING’s amazing beatboxing performance during his M COUNTDOWN STAGE, paired with the light show, tied together nicely to create an experience that gave KCONers a variety of genres to discover.
There are always groups or up-and-coming artist who are making their debut on the KCON stages in LA, and this year there was TXT’s Yeonjun, who showcased his solo artistry with his two-part album project, NO LABELS: PART 01 and NO LABELS: PART 02. He later joined his members as they headlined day 3 of M COUNTDOWN, giving a nostalgic and energetic performance. EVAN made his debut on M COUNTDOWN as a soloist and even sang a lighthearted cover of Harry Styles' “As It Was,” which felt like a hint at his current situation and the path he's taking after leaving his former group, ENHYPEN.
Photo Credit: Aliyah Hinckley
Groups like NEXZ and ONE PACT delivered unforgettable performances on both The SHOWCASE stage (presented with Toyota Music Den) and M COUNTDOWN. Fans took to social media to share their excitement, with many discovering new favorites and becoming fans of the two groups. ONE PACT had fans buzzing with their infectious new single “U so hot” while NEXZ had fans talking about their dynamic choreography and YU’s sick b-boying skills which brought an extra level of energy to their performance.
Many fans showed up to witness &TEAM’s highly anticipated arrival and U.S. performance for the first time. Their charisma and powerful performances left a lasting impression, while SANTOS BRAVOS gave a refreshing performance that got everybody dancing. Wanna One gave fans an unforgettable reunion during M COUNTDOWN, marking roughly seven years since they all performed as a group at their concert in 2019 and nine since traveling to the U.S. It was a nostalgic and emotional moment for longtime fans, making their reunion a memorable highlight from day 1. Wanna One wasn’t the only reunion, as BAILEY of ALLDAY PROJECT reunited with Kida the Great, her former dance partner from Season 4 of NBC’s World of Dance back in 2020. Choreographer RIEHATA who has worked with groups like ATEEZ, NCT 127, BTS, and more, joined them on stage, bringing incredible dance skills and chemistry to the M COUNTDOWN STAGE.
Groups like ILLIT brought fun and lighthearted energy to the stage with songs like “It’s Me,” a catchy track that will stay in your head long after the performance ends. Another girl group who made their LA KCON debut was RESCENE, who performed some of their well-known songs, including “Pretty Girl” and “LOVE ATTACK.” Their appearance also highlighted their growth and perseverance as a group, showing fans the journey they have taken toward reaching their goals.
OLIVE YOUNG FESTA: Beauty and Skincare Heaven
The billboard across the street from the convention center greeted fans as you made your way into KCON. OLIVE YOUNG FESTA was the title sponsor for KCON LA, and it was the first time KCONers got to experience the annual FESTA that usually occurs in South Korea. OLIVE YOUNG, South Korea’s leading beauty and wellness retailer, brought all of your go-to beauty and skin care needs to LA.
Walking around the booths felt identical to walking the streets of South Korea, as cute street signs and decorations dressed the area. The lines and booths seemed to go pretty smoothly at times but would soon get packed. On social media, KCONers shared their challenges with queuing, as sometimes the queue would temporarily pause before opening back up to control foot traffic. OLIVE YOUNG FESTA brought well-known K-beauty brands like Torriden, TIRTIR, and more for attendees to discover and win skincare goodies by accomplishing fun missions and games.
A Range of Fan Experiences
There were so many different missions and games throughout KCON that not only promoted the brands and organizations tabling at the convention, but also gave fans opportunities to interact and have fun. The global K-pop content platform Mnet Plus hosted random play dances, surprising fans when groups like ALPHA DRIVE ONE came by to join and perform alongside them.
Random play dances weren’t the only opportunities for fans to see performances, as many artists took the stage to perform cover songs including ATEEZ’s “BAD” to JENNIE’s “like JENNIE.” Fans could also meet and interact with Sanrio designers behind beloved characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi through special signing events. The fan experiences extended beyond the convention floor and into the ARTIST STAGE, where fans had the chance to participate in activities such as dance battles and staring contests with their favorite artists.
K-STORY ZONE: Where Stories Come to Life
A new addition to KCON LA gave fans the opportunity to meet actors and actresses from some of their favorite Korean dramas. The area showcased Korean dramas and K-pop content while recreating the atmosphere of Korea’s summer tradition of watching movies outdoors, similar to the experience of spending time along the Han River. Each day featured a different Korean actor, including actress Park Eun Bin and actors Lee Jun Hyuk and Sangheon Lee, who came out to discuss their dramas and share their experiences in the industry.
On Sunday, Sangheon Lee took the stage to discuss the hit Netflix series XO, Kitty. He became visibly embarrassed and laughed when scenes featuring his character, Minho, and Kitty played on the large screen above him. During the interview, Lee also shared stories and memorable moments from filming the series. Related to stories and film, it was announced that K-Pop: The Debut, a film created by HYBE America Studios and Paramount, starring Eric Nam, Ji-young Yoo, and Tony Revolori, with a special appearance by ILLIT, will release February 26, 2027.
Discover 144 Brands and Companies
Photo Credit: Aliyah Hinckley
From KPOPWORLD Magazine to KPOP Nation, which sold albums and photocards, there were plenty of organizations for fans to check out, connect with their passions, or discover something new while supporting the communities behind them.
Announcements, Auditions, and What’s Next in K-pop
KCON has become a place where artists can announce upcoming comebacks and tours, as well as perform new songs for fans. NEXZ performed “SAUCIN’,” while ZEROBASEONE gave fans a glimpse of what may be ahead when Seok Matthew mentioned during his appearance at Edward Lee’s POCHA TALK that the group will eventually go on tour in 2027. So!YoOn!, the soloist and lead vocalist of the indie rock band SE SO NEON, also took the stage to perform her new song “Go Easy.” After moving to Los Angeles, she has continued to work on new music and her upcoming album. Fans also had the opportunity to take their own first steps into the K-pop industry. Mnet’s global K-pop girl group debut project, GIRLS PLANET 2027, featured an audition booth at KCON where attendees could apply. Many fans took advantage of the opportunity and tried their chances at becoming the next K-pop star.
You Can't Forget About the Delicious Korean Food!
This year’s KCON theme, drawing inspiration from the spirit and atmosphere of Seoul, was K-SOUL CITY. Setting a different vibe from the rest of the convention, was a Korean night market complete with delicious street food and a lively atmosphere. A part of Kentia Hall was transformed as red tables and twinkling lights hung from one end to the other. Attendees could choose from a variety of Korean dishes, including kimbap, Korean corn dogs, and tteokbokki. For those looking for something different, a variety of non-Korean food options were also available upstairs.
At the bibigo booth, fans could sample a selection of products, including ramen, dumplings, and sauces. The food experiences gave attendees another way to explore Korean culture while enjoying some of the flavors commonly found in Korea.
The Layout of KCON
Areas such as the ARTIST STAGE and Music Den were located near each other, making it easier for fans to move between the different performances compared to last year, when the spaces were more spread out. However, the experience was not without its setbacks. Long lines became an issue for some attendees, with one fan reporting that they waited nearly an hour or more just to get inside after the doors opened. While the new layout helped bring areas closer together, managing entry into the event and wait times seemed like a challenge that arose each day.
Always Leave Room to Explore!
Photo Credit: Aliyah Hinckley
Sometimes, the best moments come when you least expect them. You can plan out your days at KCON, but leave some room to explore—you never know when you might stumble upon an artist you’ve never seen before and discover your new ult group or favorite song. Whether you joined a crowd of KCONers forming at RESCENE’s booth in the afternoon or you happen to find out that the artist you're watching has a particular song that's been playing on repeat all over the internet and you finally see it live when checking out their set, you never know what you'll come across.
As the festival came to an end and the last cheer rang through the venue, everyone made their way to the lobby front doors. Holding on to the experience for one last time, fans helped each other to their final KCON souvenirs as they tore down posters of their favorite artists to take home before heading out the doors, signaling the end of a fulfilling weekend at KCON LA.
We hope to see you next year for KCON LA 2027 on August 13-15 at the same location: the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena. What was your favorite memory from KCON? Let us know in the comments below or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X.
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Edited by Martina Yee
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