KCON LA 2024 Makes History with U.S. Broadcast and Star-Studded Lineup

KCON LA 2024. Photo provided by CJENM

The renowned K-pop Fan & Artist Festival, 'KCON LA 2024,' has firmly established itself as a premier event for experiencing various aspects of Korean culture, including K-pop, beauty, and lifestyle, in the United States. 

Since its inception in 2012, CJ ENM's 'KCON' has successfully grown, with 'KCON LA 2024' taking place from July 26th to 28th in Los Angeles. This year, the festival was held across several prominent venues, including LA LIVE, the LA Convention Center, Gilbert Lindsey Plaza, and Crypto.com Arena, showcasing its evolution into a multi-stage extravaganza.

KCON has consistently served as a platform for talented Korean artists and small-to-medium-sized businesses to break into the global market. It has also been a hub for fans of Korean culture to connect. 'KCON LA 2024' reaffirmed the strength of Korean culture and brand power, particularly within the U.S., the world’s largest music market. The festival attracted over 5.8 million viewers from around 176 countries through both on-site attendance and digital platforms, making history as the first K-pop festival to be broadcast live across the U.S. on the CW Network, reaching approximately 120 million households.

KCON LA 2024. Photo provided by CJENM

This year's festival featured a dynamic multi-stage setup, earning praise as a 'K-pop Super Festival.' Attendees had the opportunity to interact with their favorite artists and create lasting memories. The event hosted 428 booths and 119 companies aiming to enter the U.S. market, with Korean artists captivating the audience with their performances.

▶Historic U.S. Broadcast and Artist Lineup

For the first time, 'KCON LA 2024' was broadcast live across the U.S. on the CW Network, marking a milestone in KCON history and K-pop festivals. The final day’s 'M Countdown' featured local radio broadcasts, highlighting a new era in viewing habits and audience expansion. Brad Schwartz, Chairman of CW Network Entertainment, expressed excitement about bringing K-pop to American audiences through this partnership.

The festival's lineup included global superstars such as god, Bibi, Boy Next Door, INI, Kep1er, P1Harmony, Taemin, Enhyphen, Jo Yuri, NMIXX, Jeon Somi, NCT127, StayC, ZEROBASEONE, and Zico. Emerging rookies like ME:I and TWS, who made their debuts this year, delivered standout performances that captivated the audience. Actor Rowoon and artist Jeon Somi hosted the event on the first and second days, respectively, while global sensation Kim Soo-hyun made a highly anticipated return to the KCON stage on the third day after a nine-year absence, adding a special touch to the festival.

KCON LA 2024.Photo provided by CJENM

The signature 'Dream Stage,' a highlight of KCON that consistently receives enthusiastic responses, featured unforgettable performances: Taemin's 'Move' on the 26th, Enhyphen's 'Sweet Venom' on the 27th, and Zico's 'Sapping' on the 28th. Additionally, special stages included Kepler performing Stray Kids' 'Back Door,' P1Harmony covering BTS' 'Fire,' ME:I interpreting TWICE's 'Set Me Free,' TWS presenting Jungkook's '3D,' StayC performing (G)I-DLE's 'Queenka,' and ZeroBaseOne covering Red Velvet's 'Psycho.' Unique collaborations, such as Bibi and Hyolyn's stage, also garnered significant excitement.

▶Immersive Festival Experience

Over the three days, 'KCON LA 2024' presented a variety of unique stages, including nine Meet & Greet sessions and seven showcases featuring emerging artists. Special fan meetings with Kim Soo-hyun and Park Min-young highlighted the charm of K-content. The festival also introduced new outdoor spaces with interactive activities, including Dance All Day, Food Zone, and Photo Zone, which were well-received by attendees.

The 'K Collection with K-Con LA 2024' showcased 50 small and medium-sized companies from the cosmetics and food sectors, along with AI-based K-pop dance content companies and Korean language edutech firms. Olive Young’s expansive booth featured over 70 Korean beauty brands and 210 products, while Samsung Galaxy, a title sponsor since last year, engaged fans with AI-powered experiences and special benefits at its Galaxy Experience Space.

KCON LA 2024.Photo provided by CJENM

The 'K Collection with K-Con LA 2024' showcased 50 small and medium-sized companies from the cosmetics and food sectors, along with AI-based K-pop dance content companies and Korean language edutech firms. Olive Young’s expansive booth featured over 70 Korean beauty brands and 210 products, while Samsung Galaxy, a title sponsor since last year, engaged fans with AI-powered experiences and special benefits at its Galaxy Experience Space.

Shin Hyung-kwan, Head of CJ ENM’s Music Content Business Division, reflected on the festival's success, noting the enthusiastic reception from U.S. fans and the innovative approaches to festival experiences. Looking ahead, KCON will expand to Germany for the first time in September with 'KCON GERMANY 2024,' continuing its global journey.