Despite massive Crowdstrike difficulties impacting flights and travel just days before the event, K-Pop fans gathered to make their annual pilgrimage to KCON LA 2024. This year’s 3-day celebration of all things K-Pop, K-Drama, and K-Culture at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena began on Friday, July 26, and lasted through Sunday, July 28. 

KCON LA 2024 was the event's largest and most successful yet with the convention moving into the larger LACC South Hall for the first time ever. Over 5.9 million fans from more than 170 countries enjoyed KCON LA 2024 both at the festival site and through digital platforms. The massive 3-day M! Countdown concert featured artists ranging from idol veterans like g.o.d, TAEMIN, and NCT 127 to rookie acts like TWS, ME:I and INI. This year's convention experienced significantly better weather conditions than its 2023 counterpart which struggled with Hurricane Hillary and extreme heat. With the improved infrastructure and conditions, fans experienced a larger, more organized, and far more robust KCON than ever before.

Throughout the weekend, KCONers explored immersive booths to collect freebies and become familiar with a number of K-Culture, K-Beauty, K-Food, and K-Pop booths featuring brands such as SHEIN, TIRTIR, Samsung, Milkis, LINE Friends, and more. Convention attendees took home multiple swag bags filled with anything from complimentary skincare and makeup samples to tasty instant foods. This year's spread of vendors featured a wide selection of offerings for any type of fan ranging from indie jewelry-makers to local K-Pop shops and everything in-between.

This year's convention hosted a number of K-Pop dance superfans with daily early morning DREAM STAGE auditions. These aspiring idols had the opportunity to audition and potentially join the evening's M!Countdown performances alongside artists like K-Pop luminary, TAEMIN, global stars, ENHYPEN, and veteran soloist, ZICO. Among the three groups, the batch that performed with TAEMIN rose to the once-in-a-lifetime challenge well with a near-professional showcase of skill.

This year, both inside and outside the convention in the Gilbert Lindsay Plaza, many enthusiastic fans had the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite idols. While some fans opted to say hello directly through Meet and Greet events, others gathered around KCON to catch glimpses of artists through dynamic interviews and interactive games. From DANCE ALL DAY to the multiple stages inside the convention, there was no shortage of activities for KCONers to immerse themselves in.

Across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, performances were set to wow K-Pop superfans. KCONers spent their days at the convention and walked over to the adjacent Crypto.com Arena to see the show around 5PM each day. Artists performed 2 to 4 original songs with hidden surprises mixed in. Best of all, the concert's third day was streamed on nationwide television on the CW network giving the general public a view into K-Pop and it's surrounding culture. 

Each year, special stages add an extra excitement throughout the weekend. Highlights of KCON 2024 included iconic covers of songs, surprise collaboration stages, and of course, show-stopping sets. KCON attendees enjoyed a diverse range of performances each night with live music performances for old school and long-time fans to passionate 5th- generation supporters.

KCON LA 2024 has expanded and continues to showcase the global influence of K-Pop around the world. This iconic annual celebration of K-Music and K-Culture has brought together fans from across all ages and left lasting memories for many.

Did you attend KCON LA 2024? Tell us what your favorite convention experience and concert performance was in the comments below!