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Showcasing artists from different eras of K-pop, viral KCON LA 2024 moments flooded social media feeds this weekend. Held fom July 26 to 28, the Korean festival saw an attendance of over 5.9 million fans (including online and broadcast viewers) from about 170 countries.
KCON is a yearly venture, and has expanded to various cities in various parts of the world including New York, Bangkok, Tokyo, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Mexico. This year's festival boasted of K-pop acts like headliner NCT 127, SHINee's Taemin, newbies ZEROBASEONE and global leaders ENHYPEN, apart from events with K-drama actors Rowoon, Kim So-hyun, and Park Min-young.
Other Asian artists such as Japanese groups INI, ME: I, and Filipino group BINI, graced the stage and pulled in fans who might have been there for other acts.
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On-stage performances, off-stage interactions, and fan stages of well-known artists are all among the viral KCON LA 2024 moments.
ENHYPEN dazzling on stage, Kep1er covering Stray Kids' Back Door, and more fan-favorite viral KCON LA 2024 moments
1) ENHYPEN's Sunghoon grabbed eyeballs for his stage presence
Known for his striking features and sultry voice, Sunghoon attracted a lot of attention during ENHYPEN’s set. Dressed in a black, sleeveless T-shirt, the former ice skater had fans swooning over his smooth and effortless dancing skills.
Performing on Day Two of the viral KCON LA 2024, ENHYPEN was among the biggest groups at the convention, and one of the headliners. The seven-member group put on performances of their hits such as Polaroid Love, Bite Me, and were joined by fans for the ‘Dream Stage’ for Sweet Venom.
2) NCT 127 returned to KCON for the first time since 2017
Returning to the LA festival after 7 years, NCT 127 pulled out a masterful set out of its hat, and had the fans singing and dancing along to their tunes. While their stage saw hit songs like 2 Baddies, Lemonade, and Fact Check, their performance of Kick It was one of the viral KCON LA 2024 highlights of the night.
The Cherry Bomb group last visited the US for their Neo City- The Link tour in the beginning of 2023, so this was a long-awaited stage, and the excitement was palpable among fans both at the stadium and those watching the broadcast.
3) BTS' Jungkook being there through cover songs by various K-pop groups
Covers of songs by senior artists are almost always viral KCON LA 2024 moments. While BTS’ Jungkook has been completing his mandatory military service, his presence was felt the previous weekend. TWS performed 3D, putting their own spin to the widely popular English song.
Various members of ZEROBASEONE performed the hook choreography of Seven and Standing Next to You, both songs by Jungkook. Even Japanese group INI showed off their skills by performing Seven. Fans were amused by the fact that the Dreamers singer was represented so well at KCON despite his absence!
4) Kepler aced their cover of Stray Kids' Back Door
While this was not Kep1er's first rodeo, their brilliant cover of Stray Kids’ Back Door made it to the list of viral KCON LA 2024 moments. One of the groups most iconic songs, it also marks the first time that the WA DA DA group attempted at a boy group song.
From deep vocals to the famous key choreography imitating knocking on a door, the girl group delivered a performance that pleased fans of K-pop immensely, judging by the 1.4+ million views Kep1er received on their video uploaded on X (formerly Twitter).
Some other viral KCON LA 2024 moments include BINI's 'Butterfly Top' girl Aiah who drew attention for her fashion, which replicated what she wore in the group's music video. Another woman performing Taemin's Move amongst dozen other fans during his Dream Stage gained netizen's attention for her dancing skills and general aura.
The Korean culture festival has grown exponentially since its inception in 2012, which only goes to show the power of Korean intangible exports. K-pop and K-dramas are bigger than ever, and it is no longer niche to like them.
