KCON 2013 successfully ends on a high note in LA!

The 2-day event came to an end, with high-spirited fans leaving Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, USA last weekend. KCON 2013 can be considered the most highly-anticipated K-pop concert for the year in the US, since it was such a large scale production. This was proven right as the tickets for the convention cum concert on 24th and 25th August were completely sold out! The highlight of KCON 2013 is definitely M!Countdown What’s Up LA, held on the second night, where more than20,000 fans gathered to cheer for their favorite artistes.

Over 100 special guests and performers were invited to this grand event and the genre of artistes was all-inclusive. It ranged from the sweet, cute acoustic guitarist Yu Seung Woo to the one-of-a-kind rapper G-Dragon to the huge sensational 12-membered group EXO. Being their first trip to LA,TEEN TOP, amidst their busy comeback period, specially came to perform their newest song 장난아냐 (Rocking) for the first time. In this hot summer period, f(x) performed Hot Summer, while Dynamic Duo led the audience grooving into the rhythm of Baaam and ballad group 2AM touched the hearts of many with their harmonic voices. DJ Koo smoothly arranged the night’s music, while the unprecedented collaboration stage between Missy Elliott and G-Dragon showed a pleasant mix of Korean and American pop culture. Another collaboration stage between Han HeeJun (Top 10 American Idol finalist) and Yu Seung Woo (Superstar K4 finalist) wowed the audience as they performed an acoustic medley of trending K-pop songs. The medley included familiar tunes of PSY’s Gentleman, 4MINUTE’s What’s Your Name, SHINee’s Dream Girl and SISTAR’s Give It To Me, making it easy for everyone to hum along.

During the convention, there were many booths and artiste engagement sessions, allowing fans to satisfy their appetite for Korean pop exposure. With the logo All Things Hallyu, KCON 2013 definitely gave fans the ultimate access to everything Hallyu, from the giveaway of Nongshim Ramyun instant noodles to dance workshops; from spicy tofu eating challenge to cosplaying their idols; from hi-touch sessions with artistes to receiving exclusive artiste meet and greets through lucky draws.

As K-pop songs were blasted through the convention, every now and then there would be flashmobs with fans passionately showing off their dance moves to the latest K-pop hits and the rest would sing along. Despite the many fans who are already proficient in Korean language and familiar with the culture, at M!Countdown, 2AM specially sang a cover of Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are, whileHenry performed Trap in English.

During Yu Seung Woo’s guitar and vocal performance, large balloons were being passed around in the audience section, but when one came by Seung Woo’s side, the 16 year-old boy playfully and cutely kicked it aside. He professionally continued with his singing, as though it was a planned part of his performance. For this young artiste, it is his first performance out of Korea, so his fans must be so glad that his first overseas performance is in LA! Rookie Group Crayon Pop also made their first appearance in front of their US fans, performing their unique Bar Bar Bar, which is such a huge hit and is topping the charts in South Korea. Besides showing their cute side, the girl group also showed their slightly sexy side through their song Dancing Queen.

Photo Credit: Mnet America

Fans, be sure to catch the broadcast of M!Countdown What’s Up LA via Mnet America at 5pm PST/ 8pm EST/ 10am KST this Thursday, 29th August! People from other parts of the world can also stream it online at http://mnetamerica.com/mnet/live_video/.

“For two years now KCON has been a success beyond our expectations, pointing to the growing influence of K-pop, and interest and excitement it is generating in the U.S. We can’t wait until next year,” said Ted Kim, president and CEO of Mnet America, the U.S.-based Asian pop culture TV network, digital, social and experiential media arm of CJ E&M.

So who’s in for KCON 2014? Raise up your hands and hopefully we can get a third year of KCON next year!

KCON 2013 is presented by CJ E&M and produced by Mnet. 
Korea.com would like to thank The Lippin Group and Mnet America for the kind invitation to cover KCON 2013 in LA.