KCON LA 2025 Celebrates a Milestone Year with Global Reach, Iconic Performances, and KCON Day

KCON LA 2025, presented by Olive Young, returned to Los Angeles from August 1–3, filling both the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena with the undeniable energy of K-pop and Korean culture. With an expanded international reach through its first-ever livestream via Amazon Music on Prime Video and Twitch, this year’s event marked a major evolution in KCON’s global impact.

Since launching in 2012, the 2025 edition delivered once again with a powerhouse lineup of idol groups, soloists, and actors. Rookies claimed the spotlight at the X STAGE, showcasing their talent in intimate yet dynamic performances, while fans got up close during a special fan meeting with actor and former K-pop idol YIM Siwan, known for his roles in Misaeng: Incomplete Life and Squid Game.

The Stages

Beyond the main performances, KCON LA 2025 offered a variety of exciting stages for fans to experience. The massive Artist Stage gave idols the chance to hold intimate, concert-like sessions with KCON-ers, delivering special sets and personal interactions that made each performance feel unique. Outdoors, the Busking Stage recreated the charm of street performances, with artists singing and dancing in a casual, open-air setting as if they were truly busking on the streets of Seoul. Meanwhile, the high-energy Dance Stage, sponsored by Jollibee, turned into a playful battleground where even the iconic Jollibee mascot joined in on the fun—showcasing its viral dance moves and winning more than a few rounds against the artists, much to the crowd’s delight.

Amazon Music

KCON LA 2025 also made history with its global broadcast, allowing fans worldwide to tune into the festivities. Through its new partnership with Amazon Music, the livestream not only brought KCON’s signature concerts to new audiences but also introduced a dedicated K-pop playlist on Amazon’s streaming platform, adding a lasting digital footprint to the weekend.

The Convention

In total, this year’s KCON featured acts spanning multiple generations of K-pop, along with hundreds of booths and companies showcasing the best of Korean culture. From beauty and food to webtoons and lifestyle brands, the KCON convention floor buzzed with excitement and discovery. Notable highlights included:

• Olive Young’s interactive booth where you can taste the food AND take photos with SEVENTEEN.
• COSRX and JUNGSAEMMOOL for their beauty tips, games, and full size products that had some of the longest lines of the night.

McDonald’s Activation

McDonald’s brought one of the most high-energy and interactive booths to KCON, drawing in crowds all weekend with their lively Snack Wrap Challenge. Fans stepped up to compete against fellow KCONers in a timed mini-game hosted by an endlessly enthusiastic MC, backed by a spirited crew of McDonald’s staff who cheered like every round was the grand finale of a championship. The challenge wasn’t just about bragging rights—winners proudly walked away with a coveted Snack Wrap pin, a badge of honor to show off their victory.

Of course, no one left empty-handed. All participants got to enjoy a fresh Snack Wrap—available in both a spicy version with a satisfying kick and a creamy ranch version for a classic twist. To sweeten the deal, McDonald’s showered attendees with an impressive haul of swag, including a McDonald’s gift card, a playful Snack Wrap bracelet, a themed lanyard, and other exclusive goodies that had fans swapping and showing off their merchandise across the convention floor. The mix of tasty food, friendly competition, and non-stop energy made McDonald’s booth a must-visit stop at KCON.

KCON Day – August 1

Adding to its legacy, KCON LA 2025 received official recognition from the City of Los Angeles, which declared August 1 as “KCON Day” for the first time ever. The proclamation honored KCON’s cultural, social, and economic contributions to the city since its debut over a decade ago. The resolution was co-sponsored by City Councilmembers John Lee, Katy Yaroslavsky, Curren Price, and Heather Hutt.

“Having KCON officially designated as ‘KCON Day’ in Los Angeles — where KCON first established its roots — gives us an even greater sense of purpose,” said Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM. “We’re incredibly grateful for the participation and support from so many K-pop and Korean culture fans and want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the artists who brought such exceptional talent and passion to the stage.”

KCON LA 2025 transformed the Crypto.com Arena and Los Angeles Convention Center into a three-day display of celebrating everything K-culture, with an especially electric focus on K-pop’s genre-bending evolution. From rookies to legends, soloists to supergroups, and global debuts to nostalgic throwbacks, this year’s concert lineup raised the bar once again.

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DAY 1: DEMONS, DUALITIES, AND DOMINATION

The opening night was introduced with flair by actor Lee Byung Hun, who delighted fans by referencing his “K-pop Demon Hunters” character — including a VCR of his demon form seeking the next great K-pop group. It was the perfect launch into a night of kinetic performances.

Emerging Talents Set the Pace

Boston Conservatory at Berklee opened the preshow with a sleek dance routine before new-gen acts KIK5O, 82MAJOR, and Baby DONT Cry delivered attitude-laced sets. KIK5O’s “Pretty Revenge” and 82MAJOR’s “Choke” lit up the early lineup, while Baby DONT Cry impressed with “F Girl.” NOWZ shone with their energetic “Problem Child” and a powerful cover of Stray Kids’ “Maniac.” IS:SUE brought polished vocals to “SHINING” and their English version of “Breaking Thru the Line.” Look out for our interview with the group!

KCON Spotlight on Solos and Standouts

NCT 127 literally kicked things off with “Kick It,” foreshadowing their return later in the night. Soloist Mark Lee captivated with his introspective “Righteous” before joining Haechan for the bouncy “+82 Pressin’” and his fan-favorite “1999.” Lee Young Ji brought her signature swagger with “Small Girl” and a taste of her track “TELL ME.” P1Harmony had a memorable entrance, walking in through the audience before exploding into “Street Star.” IZNA delivered a cover of “Golden” from K-pop Demon Hunters, further tying into the weekend’s lore.

Legends, Leaders, and Showstoppers

Zerobaseone (ZB1) energized the crowd with “Feel the Pop” and “Doctor Doctor”. Despite a literal mic drop, IVE stunned with a confident four-song set including “Rebel Heart” and “I AM.” In a surprise crossover moment, Lee Young Ji and Hanbin teamed up for a fierce cover of Billie Eilish’s “you should see me in a crown.” Closing out Day 1, NCT 127 returned with a mega-medley including “Whiplash,” “2 Baddies,” and “Fact Check,” cementing their dominance.

DAY 2: CROSSOVERS, COVERS, AND KINETIC ENERGY

The momentum didn’t slow on Saturday, with a diverse lineup featuring soloists, duos, and group collaborations that pushed boundaries.

HITGS brought charisma to the pre-show, followed by So Soo Bin’s sweet serenade with “I’ll Be Your Star.” From20 and hellogloom teamed up for a vibey set blending “Weol,” “Mamacita,” and “Eye Candy.” Shonwu and Hyungwon of Monsta X opened the main show with the sultry “Love Me a Little”. The nostalgia was strong, but their stage presence was fresher than ever.

KCON Special Stages and Dynamic Duos

Highlights included a surprise VCR featuring Yuqi and Hao plotting mischief — leading into a jaw-dropping “Troublemaker” cover. ZB1’s Matthew and Gunwook delivered a rare English version of “Backpackers,” adding vocal flair to the night.

Roy Kim offered emotional depth with “As Is” and a duet with Choi Hojung for “When Spring Comes.” He also joined ZB1’s Kim Taerae for a touching rendition of “Everglow,” showcasing intergenerational harmony.

High Octane and High Fashion

NMIXX stormed the stage with “Dash” and “See That,” while aespa served visuals and vocals on “Supernova” and the sassy “Catch Flights Not Feelings.” Jackson Wang — joined by legendary dance crew Kinjaz — brought the house down with “GBAD” and “BUCK,” announcing his new tour mid-set.

Monsta X returned with hits like “Beautiful Liar,” “Who Do You Love?” and “Gambler,” capping off a night that blended artistry, nostalgia, and star power. This marked their 10 year comeback to KCON which felt surreal with them now closing one night.

DAY 3: FINALE WITH FLAIR AND FIRE

The final night was a celebration of innovation and reinvention, where veterans and rising rookies shared one last unforgettable stage.Pre-show acts ifeye and NEWBEAT set a playful tone with “NERDY” and “Flip the Coin,” building excitement for the last concert night. NEWBEAT also debuted their upcoming single “Cappuccino”.

(G)I-DLE exploded into the arena with “Queencard,” then returned later to command the stage with “Super Lady,” “Wife,” and the uplifting “Good Thing.”

Group Synergy and Stage Experiments at KCON

AllDay Project delivered a fiery KCON version of “FAMOUS,” while CRAVITY kept the energy up with “SWISH.” Kep1er brought their sweet-and-savory appeal with “YUM (KCON ver).” They also surprised us with a dance break where we were able to hear their upcoming track “BUBBLE GUM”. RIIZE delivered one of the night’s sleekest sets, mixing swagger in “Boom Boom Bass” with the soaring energy of “Fly Up.”

Solo Stars and Unforgettable Encores

HWASA reminded fans why she’s a force of nature with “Maria” and a MAMAMOO medley that thrilled longtime fans. MEOVV impressed with “Drop Top” and a sultry cover of Brown Eyed Girls’ “Abracadabra.”SHINee’s KEY hyped up the weekend with hits like “Gasoline (SMTOWN ver),” proving once again he’s the definition of “CoolAs.” He even announced he will finally be coming to the US with his very own solo tour.

IZNA returned once more to showcase a fierce “FIESTA” cover, while SHIUWOOZI (호시우지) — featuring 96ers and Woozi-produced tracks — closed the night with “ECHO!” and “STUPID IDIOT,” a dream stage that brought experimental pop and raw emotion to the forefront.

A fan-favorite highlight, the DREAM STAGE, once again allowed fans to share the spotlight — literally — dancing alongside their favorite idols. This year’s DREAM STAGE collaborations with NCT 127, MONSTA X, and HxW (a unit of SEVENTEEN) delivered unforgettable moments of fan and artist unity, further proving how central fan participation is to the KCON experience.

Whether it was your first KCON or your twelfth, this year’s event proved once again: K-pop isn’t just a genre—it’s a movement.

Until next year, KCON.

Written by Diana | Photos by Aaron
Concert photos by: KCON/CJ