This 12 months’s KCON will stay in infamy for plenty of causes: outrunning the remnants of a uncommon hurricane on my method dwelling, testing constructive for covid a day after, and so forth and so forth.

Nevertheless, this craziness doesn’t imply I don’t have highlights and commentary to share! For the primary time, KCON LA’s concert events prolonged to 3 nights. As a consequence of scheduling and curiosity degree (we’d already seen lots of evening three’s acts a number of instances), we opted to attend Friday and Saturday solely, which finally proved fortuitous given Hurricane Hilary’s arrival. I’m a bit irked I didn’t get to see The Boyz’ Lip Gloss and Riize’s stage debut in individual, however this was my seventh KCON so I really feel like I’ve already skilled lots via the years!

Beneath, I’ll share my highlights and considerations from the 2 days we attended — together with some quick clips from the expertise.

And for those who’re curious about earlier recaps, click on right here: 2016 // 2017 // 2018 // 2019 // 2022 Pt.1 // 2022 Pt.2 

1. The conference’s “KCON Stage”

General, the administration of the conference was horrendous this 12 months (extra on that beneath), however their greatest resolution was to raise the KCON Stage to a degree the viewers may really see — no matter the place you had been standing. I can’t overstate the significance of this. So typically at KCON, you’re struggling for a view — combating in opposition to everybody’s telephones held as much as seize their favourite idol.

We had been fairly shut for many of the acts on the KCON stage, however even additional again you can see the performances effectively. This stage was a mixture of interviews/video games and showcase performances. I cherished having the ability to see previous favorites (VERIVERY, WayV, Cravity) and teams I didn’t know as effectively (NMIXX, 8TURN). Truthfully, this space ought to be expanded even additional sooner or later. After years of going to KCON, I’m not curious about many of the commercial cubicles however I am curious about seeing the idols carry out and work together.

2. The Pre-shows

I used to be very joyful to see the showcase artists (Limelight, 8TURN, VERIVERY, Craxy) get an opportunity to carry out on the primary KCON stage prior to every evening’s live performance. This was a good way to offer lesser-known acts a highlight. I imply, they flew midway all over the world for this!

3. Taemin

I don’t imply this as a putdown to another acts as a result of everybody at KCON was very gifted, however Taemin is simply on one other degree. I imply, I knew this already. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to see SHINee in 2017 and SuperM in 2020, however watching him on his personal there’s no denying his sheer magnetism. Even from the nosebleed part, this was clearly evident. I’m ceaselessly grateful he carried out Legal and Transfer. He had the viewers within the palm of his hand the complete time.

4. IVE

IVE was the group I used to be most likely most excited to see as a result of I’ve cherished their music a lot. I’m unhappy we didn’t get After Like (that should sound unimaginable in a stadium), however their I Am “dream stage” was predictably electrifying. There’s nothing like listening to that type of music within the setting it’s designed for.

5. ZEROBASEONE

I’ve grown to essentially recognize ZB1’s debut album and the members are very charming. Their reputation within the area was unreal. MNET’s survival-show-to-idol-group pipeline remains to be churning at full energy.

6. Rain

I suppose this is perhaps controversial to some folks? Reviews of a “black ocean” are making their method across the web, however the response I noticed was no completely different from any of the opposite acts with materials less-known to the followers within the area. Individuals in our part gave the impression to be having fun with his set, and I used to be positively a kind of folks. I’ll at all times soar on the probability to see a Okay-pop legend in motion, no matter his skills (or lack thereof) as a CEO. I imply… I noticed Rainism carried out in individual! That’s fairly darn cool.

7. Kep1er’s “Again to the Metropolis”

I’m not a giant fan of most of Kep1er’s music, however I do love Again to the Metropolis and I used to be delighted that they carried out it!

Different Highlights

Xikers’ Do Or Die is such a banger.
So is INI’s Fanfare.
And so is Limelight’s Madeleine.
ATEEZ’s Wonderland was downright operatic.

1. Conference administration/format

After a number of years of enchancment, KCON’s 2023 administration was godawful. There’s no different strategy to say it, actually. Regardless of this being their greatest 12 months but, they opted to guide the smaller half of the conference middle, that means much less entrances for extra folks. I’ve at all times given KCON the nickname “linecon,” as a result of the vast majority of your time is spent ready in traces or ready in crowds. Nevertheless, the payoff is often price it.

Strains to enter the venue took almost two hours, with no actual administration or order. We had been standing below freeway overpasses, across the block and everywhere. At one level, we needed to stand in entrance of some non secular nut yelling at us in regards to the “sins of idolatry” via a megaphone for hour or so. We did this all earlier than the tropical storm struck. I can’t think about what that was like!

Making issues worse, KCON didn’t permit early check-in this 12 months and every conference day required its personal check-in. So, we bought to take pleasure in these countless traces each morning. Possibilities of experiencing something scheduled for the primary hour or two of the conference had been just about scrapped until you wished to begin lining up hours upfront. There severely must be a greater method to do that. Are all conventions so unhealthy with traces? I felt like we had been being herded like cattle.

For no matter motive, KCON additionally did away with their meals road, making choices for meals fairly restricted. This pressured everybody into the venue’s horrible “galaxy cafe,” a sub-cafeteria-quality expertise the place they are going to gladly cost you upwards of 25$ for what should have value pennies to make. Eight {dollars} for a fountain drink? You’ve bought to be kidding. And don’t even take into consideration leaving the conference to eat exterior until you’re keen for an additional hour-long wait to get via bag verify once more!

Sadly, this mismanagement lowered the alternatives for folks to attend the actions and phases they’d really paid for, which is a disgrace. KCON has steadily streamlining their insurance policies over the previous couple of years, so I don’t know what went mistaken this 12 months. It jogged my memory of 2016.

2. Repetitive line-up

This isn’t a criticism about any single act since I’m a fan of all of them. However as somebody who attends KCON yearly I’m a bit upset by how their performing line-ups appear a bit stagnant. After all all of the MNET teams need to be there (whether or not they’re Okay-pop or not), however nearly half of the weekend’s line-up was a repeat from final 12 months. Clearly these large teams have tons of followers that carry within the ticket gross sales, however I’d like to see extra range subsequent 12 months.

2023’s Showcase Levels had been an excellent step ahead on this regard, so hopefully they’ll proceed the development. Repetition of acts was the largest motive we determined to go for 2 days as a substitute of all three.