After nine years, Wanna One is returning to KCON LA. The group was formed through the boy group survival show “Produce 101,” where 101 trainees would compete and in the end, only 11 of them would debut. Contestants Yoon Jisung, Ha Sungwoon, Hwang Minhyun, Ong Seongwoo, Kim Jaehwan, Kang Daniel, Park Jihoon, Park Woojin, Bae Jinyoung, Lee Daehwi and Lai Kuanlin debuted through the show and followed through with their one and a half year contract.
Despite the short contract, the group had amassed thousands of fans across the globe and even embarked on a 14 city tour. Following the end of their contracts, the members each went their own ways with some joining new groups, acting, or becoming soloists.
In April of this year, it was reported that the group would reunite for a variety show titled, Wanna One Go: Back to Base, in which only nine of the eleven members would partake. Now, those nine members will head back to LA to take the stage during KCON.
KCON LA is a yearly Korean culture based convention that takes place in Los Angeles, California. Established in 2012, the convention and concert invites K-Pop groups to perform, interact with fans, and take part in giveaways. During the day, fans can explore the convention and find booths dedicated to food, beauty, and more. There are also small stages for performances throughout the day and a meet & greet with a select number of groups.
Each night, KCON hosts the MCountdown Stage. The stage is a full concert experience with over ten acts each night. Each artist gets the chance to perform for fans in the Crypto.Com Arena. This year the show is headlined by NCT 127, ZEROBASEONE, and Tomorrow X Together. Other featured acts include Kickflip, &Team, ILLIT, P1Harmony, MEOVV, and of course, Wanna One.
KCON LA takes place August 14-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Tickets are available now on AXS.com.
RIIZE have released their second mini album which focuses on the themes of “rising up” and spreading their wings in order to grow. Photo credits to RIIZE and SM Entertainment.
Just weeks after celebrating 1,000 days since debut, RIIZE has made a highly anticipated comeback with their second mini album. This six-track album, “II”, is based around hip-hop instrumentals and melodies, which aid in showcasing the style in which RIIZE are heading. Members Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton continue to impress BRIIZE–their fandom– with their powerful dancing and creative concepts.
The album opens with “SOAR” expressing their desire to rise higher, wanting to “spread [their] wings and soar.” An upbeat track mixing hip-hop and pop-rock elements, “SOAR” feels like an early 2000s radio hit, making listeners feel optimistic. Directly following it is the title track, “Do your dance.” The track utilizes EDM instrumentals on a hip-hop beat, creating a dance anthem. RIIZE uses the track to show their moves while instructing listeners to follow their lead, “Do your dance like a pro.” The lyrics emphasize how the boys continue doing their own thing despite the judgement or backlash. They continue to rise, even when people try to bring them down.
“D-D-Done” is the third track on the album, continuing a trend of EDM and hip-hop sounds. The bridge highlights members Sohee and Wonbin’s vocals while backing them with unique sound effects and a slower tempo. The track imbues longing lyrics with a positive instrumental, leaving listeners chanting “you and I will last forever.” The fourth track starts strong with “Overdrive.” The song has a short instrumental intro before jumping into the first verse, with a strong bass sound and low-register raps. As the track continues, the lyrics further show RIIZE’s dreams becoming reality, as they continue “flying high.”
“Like a Bomb” is a dance-infused hip-hop song appearing fifth on the album. The song compares their love to a bomb, saying “my fire is on.” Its groovy synth during the chorus mixed with all the members’ vocals creates a bright vibe, making listeners want to dance along. They close the album with “In a Loop,” a dreamy pop song full of hope for a brighter future. The track’s chorus uses quieter instrumentals to further showcase the members’ voices. “In a Loop” is a perfect closing song to the album, its hopeful vibe leaving listeners joyful as the song comes to a quick close.
Following the success of their first world tour, RIIZE has continued making waves in the industry. They have experienced many setbacks during their first two years but continue to push forward. This mini album has allowed them to express their desires to work towards their dream and how they refuse to stop.
Inkigayo is one of the biggest music shows in Korea, airing live every Sunday at 3:40PM. Photo credits to SBS Inkigayo.
Whenever visiting Korea, K-Pop fans often dream of participating in activities that aren’t easily accessible- including fansigns, fanmeetings, and music shows. It can be pretty overwhelming when trying to fit those experiences in, as there are a lot of rules and regulations, and some aren’t even available to foreigners without finding a few loopholes. While it can be thrilling to sign up for lotteries or try for ticketing, sometimes simplicity is best. There is an easier way to experience at least one music show.
SBS Inkigayo is one of the most well-known music shows within the K-Pop industry. Since 2013, the Inkigayo as we see it today airs live each Sunday. With a mixture of popular and nugu groups, the show is an opportunity to see your ults as well as discover new artists. Typically there are three MC’s for the show, all of whom are idols. There are two main sections for fans to enjoy the show: the floor in front of the stage, or seats further back. The floor area is typically reserved for fan club members for promoting groups, as many of them witness the pre-recordings before the show begins. It is also important to note that in order to be in the floor section, you have to be under a specific height requirement to avoid being hit by the moving cameras. However, it can be a complex process and isn’t even guaranteed. That’s where seating comes in. The seating area is located behind all the cameras and equipment, with tiered rows along the rear wall. The staggered levels allow for clear views for all fans.
KoreaTravelEasy offers a bundled ticket that allows you to take a tour around Seoul and join the live airing of Inkigayo. Tickets for this experience can be pricey, typically running between $150-200, but with the ease and enjoyment, it is worth the price. When planning for the KoreaTravelEasy tour, you can expect to spend the entire day on the tour. While optional, the tour is a great chance to experience new things, especially if it’s your first time in Seoul! They offer three different tours depending on the time of year, all including walking through scenery, seeing museums, as well as a free bus ride to the SBS Broadcasting Building.
During the day, you will walk through many sites and receive multiple breaks. Ahead of your tour, you will receive a complete, detailed schedule, which is also visible on their website. During free time, you can shop or eat lunch. Around 2:00PM, the tour guide will bring everyone to the broadcasting building to begin lining them up for entry.
The SBS Inkigayo building is located in the Deungchon-dong neighborhood of the Gangseo District in Seoul. Photo credits to Niko.
During the entry process, they will have you line up by the numbers on your lanyards. You will be required to show your passport as proof of identity, and it can oftentimes be a lengthy process. It’s wisest to do anything necessary–like snack or bathroom breaks– before lining up, as you may not have the time during or after. While standing in line, you have a great opportunity to get to know the people around you. I once met a girl who flew in from Japan just to see Shotaro from RIIZE! Talk about dedication! You can also prepare for who you might see, as Inkigayo posts their lineup on X (formerly known as Twitter) a few days before the show.
As you head inside, pay attention to the second floor balcony by the entrance, as sometimes the artists will be on the stairs. When I went, Hanjin from TWS was heading up the stairs with a manager. While the manager tried to usher him away, he walked up to the railing to wave and greet fans.
An important rule to remember is that they are strict with cell phones. Once you walk into those doors, you cannot take photos or videos. It is best to keep your phone stored in a bag or pocket, or placed on your lap. They will also stop you from holding up large signs or iPads with messages, as it blocks the view for other fans and can be distracting for the artists on camera. Once seated, feel free to gawk at the stage. It’s a lot closer than you realize. To the far right, there is a smaller stage for the MC’s, who usually come out early for makeup touchups and rehearsal. You can wave and cheer for them, as they will respond, but try not to get too rowdy once they start practicing.
When the show starts, be sure to cheer on each artist, as some groups may not have fans in the audience and could feel neglected. When I saw Inkigayo the first time, I fell in love with EVNNE and TWS. Groups from smaller companies will be performing live for the broadcast. Once you get into larger groups with more elaborate stage setups or debut stages, they will prerecord the performance and come on stage to dance while it airs. These larger groups also usually leave the stage early, so be prepared for that.
During the interview portions, many of the artists will be walking in from the right stairwell entrance. If you keep an eye out, you might even get a wave or finger heart in return. The artists love interacting with fans while off-camera, so don’t be shy!
Once the show nears its end, all the artists present will stand on stage while waiting for the winner announcement. A lot of the idols that stand to the side, and aren’t on camera, will wave and interact with fans. Try not to be loud during the announcement or acceptance speech or else you might get you a few mean looks. The Encore is also such a fun part of the event, even the winning group isn’t a group that you stan. Performed completely live, you get to watch the idols run around the stage and have a fun time. The original airing of encores do not do justice to how raw the artists sound.
As you exit the broadcasting building, don’t leave immediately! You’ll notice other fans will start to gather around the sidewalks, waiting. Around 15 minutes after the show concludes, many artists begin to leave the building and get into their designated vans. As they leave, the artists tend to roll the windows down and wave to fans and interact with the fans. Less typically, some artists will come out and greet fans personally. When I went to my first music show, I got to meet Wumuti (a member of XLOV) outside the venue. He just had his solo debut stage and wanted to greet fans. I got to stand near him as he thanked us for our support, and it was pretty unreal.
At the end of the day, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in all the rules and expectations, but as long as you act respectfully, you can make new friends through this experience and create memories that will last you a lifetime!
BOYNEXTDOOR returns with their first full-length album, “HOME.” Photo Credits to HYBE, KOZ, Weverse.
It has been three years since BOYNEXTDOOR debuted, and they have finally shared their first full length album. This seven member group consists of Jaehyun, Sungho, Riwoo, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak. BOYNEXTDOOR is under the direction of HYBE and KOZ, allowing for much creative freedom. Their new album, HOME, releases ahead of their upcoming world tour this fall, with stops in Korea, North America, Japan, and more across Asia. The album showcases the member’s various talents as well as their versatility with the title track, “VIRAL’” and pre-release, “ddok ddok ddok.”
The first track, “06070 “, is a direct reference to the postal code of Gangman, a district within Seoul. Its nostalgic Hip-Hop instrumentals melt together with the member’s voices, creating a relaxing vibe. The lyrics showcase the member’s different life experiences, with the opening and closing verses directly mirroring each other. Leader Jaehyun’s first line, “age twenty, Hyehwa Station, a shabby restaurant”, is used to describe how he nearly gave up on his idol dream, whereas Woonhak’s verse shows his experience being the same age with the line, “age twenty, on stage, in front of thousands of people.”
“VIRAL”, the title track and second song off the album, describes BOYNEXTDOOR’s goal for global success while simultaneously telling the story of wanting someone back. The song blends Pop and Hip-Hop along with Afrobeats, which help to create an upbeat atmosphere. Despite the vibrant instrumental, the lyrics portray the hardships of relationships and careers. Member Taesan concludes the song with, “I’m on my money, But I’m on my lonely,” while Sungho asks about a girl, leaving listeners feeling somber as the track fades away. Directly following the title track is their pre-release song, “ddok ddok ddok.” This Hip-Hop heavy song shows off BND’s cool charms as they “knock on your door.” The repetitive lyrics and loud instrumentals create a catchy song that gets stuck in your head. The song concludes with the members rapping together in a verse that references all their previous releases, from their debut EP WHO!, to their previous release,The Action.
Their b-side “DIVE” is a slower R&B based track with dreamy background vocals and soft instrumentals. The members serenade fans with their smooth vocals and romantic words, wanting to “dive into you.” This continues the theme of loneliness mentioned in “VIRAL,” which showcases a desire to have someone to spend your days with. The album concludes with another R&B pop song titled, “I Wonder”. The song features a fast-paced tempo mixed with softer vocals and lyrics of longing. These combined elements create the perfect closing song, leaving fans wanting more.
With a total of eight tracks, BOYNEXTDOOR’s first full-length album is full of many different emotions and genres, leaving a song for every mood. Excitement for their upcoming tour has reached an all-time high as ONEDOOR, their fans, hope to see many of these new songs live!
Check our BOYNEXTDOOR’s newest title track, ‘“VIRAL”.
