KCON has once again etched its name in history. The event attracted over 140,000 attendees from around the world to ‘KCON LA 2023.’ Since its inaugural event in 2012, this edition marked the largest in its history. Just three months after shattering the attendance record with ‘KCON JAPAN 2023,’ which drew a crowd of 123,000 in May, KCON LA achieved this impressive feat.

The LA Convention Center was brimming with booths offering attendees the chance to experience K-beauty, K-content, and mobile devices firsthand. Samsung Galaxy, the title sponsor, set up a zone where visitors could experience the new Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 series. Olive Young also provided a booth for experiencing K-lifestyle.

The CJ Live Studio booth hosted artist programs in collaboration with CJ Group affiliate companies such as Tous Les Jours, Olive Young, and the CJ-UNESCO Girls’ Education Campaign. Moreover, the K-Story Zone was introduced, expanding the range of K-content experience zones and attractions. The TVN variety show ‘Seojin’s Place’ replicated its restaurant within a booth, allowing global fans to experience the crew’s activities. Director Na Young-seok personally visited the booth, interacting with fans.

‘K-COLLECTION’ featured 50 small and medium-sized enterprises participating in various fields such as beauty, daily necessities, and food. This year, a diverse range of artists and influencers held lectures and talk shows covering K-content to K-POP, and a ‘K-Entertainment’ session was arranged, bringing together PD Na Young-seok and PD Kim Shin-young to meet local fans.

This edition of KCON marked another first with virtual artists taking the stage. With a combined TikTok following of 4.5 million, ‘Apoki’ and ‘Playve’ made appearances. In the newly introduced signature content ‘SHOWCASE: NICE TO MEET U,’ which debuted at ‘KCON JAPAN 2023,’ seven teams including Ateez, LimeLight, VERIVERY , CRAXY, Just B, XG, and RIIZE showcased special performances, each aiming for global recognition.

Expanding to three shows for the first time this year, KCON LA adorned the night of LA. K-pop performances took place in the 20,000-seat Crypto.com Arena. A total of 21 teams graced the stage, igniting the festival’s energy. Artists like IVE, ZeroBaseOne, and ITZY heated up the Dream Stage. The ‘Gen.Z POP SPECIAL’ featured Kep1er and JO1 covering hit songs of senior idols. From NCT U’s Ten and Taeyong to rising American star Destiny Rogers performing ‘Tomboy,’ various global artists created memorable special stages. Additionally, Ateez, CRAVITY, EVERGLOW, (G)I-DLE, INI, Lapillus, ENHYPEN, Rain, Shownu X Hyungwon (Monsta X), Stray Kids, Taemin, The Boyz, WAYB, XG, and xikers embroidered the stage with their performances.

Shim Jun-beom, the Head of CJ ENM’s Music Content Division, shared his excitement, stating, “Observing audiences of diverse ages from around the globe enjoying and savoring culture with friends and family was truly remarkable.” He added, “In the future, we will continue to strive to provide more people with fresh experiences of K-POP and K-culture through the festival known as KCON.”