Author: Britt

  • Your Go-To Guide to KCON LA 2026

    Your Go-To Guide to KCON LA 2026

    Is this your first time attending KCON LA? Or maybe you have some questions about the convention or how the ticket tiers work? Well you have come to the right place! We are here to go into full detail on all things KCON LA to get you prepared for the big event happening August 14th-16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena.

    WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

    1. Tickets

    Now the main detail of KCON is tickets and how to attend. This year, KCON has put out 6 different ticket tiers – 1DAY PREMIUM ALL ACCESS, 1DAY PREMIUM ALL ACCESS, 1DAY ALL ACCESS, 1DAY, 1DAY AFTER 3PM and 1DAY KPOP DISCOVERY. All of these tickets are sold as single-day passes, so make sure you have tickets for everyday you were looking to attend. 

    1DAY VIP PREMIUM ALL ACCESS ($662.14) is the full top tier ticket package for 2026 – which includes a ticket to the festival grounds, front access to Artist Stage during the convention, a GA Floor ticket to M Countdown, 1 artist soundcheck for the specified artist of that day, access to the artist red carpet before the show and this year they are including Hi-Wave (M&G) for all artists performing on Artist Stage that day. As of right now, this tier is currently sold out for all 3 days, but you never know if last minute tickets will pop up!

    1DAY PREMIUM ALL ACCESS ($449.55) has the same ticket benefits as VIP Premium with the only exclusion being that these tickets do not come with Hi-Wave for the artists of the day. You will only be able to access M&G if you have purchased a 1DAY VIP PREMIUM ticket. This tier is also sold out currently for all 3 days as well.

    1DAY ALL ACCESS (P1 $290.11 – P5 $92.43) will give you access to the festival/convention grounds, artist stage and a ticket to M-Countdown in Sections P1-P5. 

    1DAY ($74.30) tickets will give you access to the festival grounds and artist stage during the convention. Note that these tickets do not come with a ticket to M Countdown, it will have to be purchased separately. 

    1DAY AFTER 3PM ($43.34) will also give you access to the festival grounds and artist stage. Admission for all of these tickets will begin specifically at 3pm. 

    1DAY KPOP DISCOVERY ($44.44) will give you admission to attend M Countdown later in the evening. These tickets do not include access to the festival grounds during the day.

    If you missed out on ticket sales, make sure to keep checking the AXS site!

    2. Convention Access + Events

    Awesome, you have your tickets! Now you’re probably thinking – what is there to even do during the convention? Well don’t worry, your day will be packed with artist appearances, vendors, food and performances you will NOT want to miss!

    The main attraction over the past few years has been Artist Stage, which in a nutshell is a mini 5-6 song concert for specific artists throughout the day. If you have a VIP PREMIUM ticket, you will proceed with your Hi-Wave for that artist after their Artist Stage performance. Each artist will be performing at a specific time. Please scroll to the end of the article to see the day by day timetable.

    The next performance stage is the Music Den stage, sponsored by Toyota! This stage has been specifically created for the rookies attending the festival to showcase their talents and love to new and old fans alike. This stage will be inside the convention hall as well. While the artists will be performing their own songs, they will also perform a variety of covers from Senior artists.  

    KCON will also have various booths of numerous vendors and sponsors throughout the convention hall, so make sure you check them all out and get your freebie goods from them! (Plus, you never know who may make a surprise appearance). While you’re venturing around inside, be sure to check out all of the vendors and food outside as well! Keep yourself hydrated with a refreshing fruit juice and fuel up with various K-Foods to keep your energy up to last all day. Lastly, don’t forget to stop by the Olive Young fest for all your K-Beauty essentials.

    3. M Countdown

    Now that you have your beauty essentials, cute vendor made items, and food, it is now time to head over to Crypto Arena for the concert portion of your experience! Depending on your ticket type, you will be let in at certain times. If you have a VIP Premium All Access Ticket, then you can head to the Kobe Bryant Entrance to line up for the floor. You will experience a unique sound check with fellow VIP attendees before the main show begins.

    Friday’s soundcheck artist is TREASURE. Saturday’s is P1HARMONY. Sunday’s is MEOVV.

    If you have regular GA or a seat, then you will enter a little later once the soundcheck has concluded. Once you’re inside, you can head to the restroom, grab food or even head to your seat.

    Each night will have a different lineup. Along with original songs from each artist, some of them may also perform covers from other artists or interact with the crowd via games. ZEROBASEONE’s leader Sung Hanbin has been announced as the MC for all three nights, so expect surprise appearances through the crowd from both him and some of the artists.

    If this is your first KCON, you are sure to have the time of your life! Make sure to stop by as many booths as you can during the convention and grab all your freebies, and don’t forget the most important part-have fun!!

    Below are the time tables for each stage.

    For the official KCON LA 2026 site map and more information, please check out kconusa.com.

    Hope to see you there and have fun!

  • ATEEZ Return with Fifth Installment of their Golden Hour Series

    ATEEZ Return with Fifth Installment of their Golden Hour Series

    ATEEZ have returned with GOLDEN HOUR: Pt 5. This five track record follows the theme of toxic and addicting love and utilizes various Latin and Brazilian beats and genres. Photo credits to ATEEZ, KQ Entertainment.

    Just four months after the release of their EP GOLDEN HOUR: Pt 4, ATEEZ is back with another another installment of the series, GOLDEN HOUR: Pt 5. The members – Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung & Jongho – have decided to take on a new approach and musical style with this new album that includes Latin beats, Brazilian funk, R&B and more.

    The album starts off strong with the title track, “BAD”. This song is built around Latin-inspired rhythms and paired with a captivating, addictive beat. The music video features vivid colors, lively choreography and even a wedding, which aid in conveying the theme of the song, which is dangerous love. The group mixes English, Spanish and Korean lyrics within the track to give it a more global appeal.

    The next track, “MAMACITA”, which has been labeled as a crowd favorite by ATINY (their fandom), continues with the Latin beats and Brazilian funk that the boys have experimented with over the years. Similar to “BAD”, this track also conveys a theme of love and finding someone.

    Following “MAMACITA” is the third song, “TOXIN.” “TOXIN” begins the switch up as it is mid-way through the album. The previous songs contained Latin beats, where as this track tones down to mid-tempo almost R&B vibes. This is also where the love story begins to change as this song focuses on someone being similar to a toxin and how they cannot get away.

    “Fallin’”, the next song on the album, is completely different than any other song that the group has done. This one features powerful percussions and synths. The most notable part of this song is member Yeosang’s part as his deep voice carries the entire chrous, creating a sort of eerie vibe. Similar to “TOXIN”, “Fallin’” follows the theme of falling in deep and being intoxicated by someone.

    The last track ,“BODY”, is the perfect ending to the album. With its mid-tempo beats and soft vocals, this song is perfect for listening to on a late night drive. Despite being slower and different than the previous songs on the record, this one encapsulates ATEEZ’s various sides, proving that they are capable of dipping into many different genres within one album.

    GOLDEN HOUR: Pt 5 showcases ATEEZ’s strengths within the finer details of the album as well as their growth as artists. This new Latin direction in which they are heading aids in making them even more unique without overshadowing their previous releases. As their lore grows, fans are excited to see what they have in store next.

  • K-Pop Soloist EVAN Debuts with Mini Album and Title Song, “Ride or Die”

    K-Pop Soloist EVAN Debuts with Mini Album and Title Song, “Ride or Die”

    Evan makes his debut with a two track EP that showcases his new direction. Photo credits to HYBE, EVAN.

    Three months after announcing his departure from Enhypen, Evan (formally known as Heeseung) has officially made his debut with a 2 track EP, featuring “Ride or Die” and “Overflow”.

    Evan was first introduced to the world as a trainee on the CJ ENM boy group survival show, “I LAND”, where he competed alongside other contestants. Evan was voted into the final group, ENHYPEN, where he has spent the last six years.

    “Ride or Die” marks Evan’s official new beginning as a soloist and he surely did not disappoint. Not only does this showcase a new authentic side of him, but it also serves as his “official reintroduction” to fans that have loved him since “I-LAND” and Enhypen.

    “Ride or Die”, the promoted title track, composed by Evan himself, starts off with a powerful synth-like guitar melody that immediately turns heads. The chorus contains lyrics such as, “You are my ride or die, drive ‘till the end of time”, it is definitely something that can resonate within everyone looking to find that someone to stay in their lives forever. As the lyrics carry on, it is clear to see that this song carries the weight of Evan’s journey and preparation for his debut. While watching the music video, viewers are able to feel the emotions and powerfulness of the meaning behind the song. 

    Toning the vibe down with “Overflow”, the promoted B-side on the EP, this track brings more of a ballad tone with comforting and emotional lyrics. Evan participated in the writing once more, and it is evident that this song was meant to be a reassurance to anyone and everyone struggling through a hard place and to never give up hope. With lyrics in the second verse “I write this letter to you, even though I can’t send it, we’ll definitely meet again”, it gives every individual listening a chance to realize that life may be hard right now, but there is always ways to find the light at the end of a dark tunnel. 

    With teasers already beginning of a full mini album coming out in September, Evan is back and better than ever, ready to show the world what he has in store. He will be making his first official solo debut in the US on August 16th at KCON LA, so please be sure to cheer loud and proud, showing that you will always be his “Ride or Die”.