KCON (music festival)
KCON is an annual convention held in locations across the world, created by Koreaboo and organized by CJ E&M. It was first held in Southern California in 2012 and has since expanded to ten countries as of 2022.
KCON
- United States:
- Irvine, California
- Los Angeles
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York City
- Chicago, Illinois
- San Francisco, California
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Houston, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Atlanta, Georgia
2012
Koreaboo
CJ E&M
CJ ENM America
Powerhouse Live (2015–2019)
In 2015, KCON expanded to Japan[1] and then quickly announced the first KCON USA on the East Coast.[2] In 2016, KCON expanded into Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates[3] and Paris, France. In January 2017, KCON announced that they would be hosting their first KCON Mexico at the Mexico City Arena on March 17 and 18, 2017.[4]
An online replacement of KCON due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, titled KCON:TACT, started on June 20 until June 26, 2020 via YouTube, AIS Play, and Shopee. The second season started on October 16, 2020 and ended on October 25, 2020. The third and final season started March 20, 2021.
Background[edit]
KCON was first created by Koreaboo in 2012, after a partnership with CJ E&M's US-based subsidiary, Mnet America.[5][6] It was produced by Powerhouse Live, who have continued to work on KCON from 2013 to the present.[7][8] KCON's initial aim was to establish an annual flagship event that would improve the experiences of American fans by providing them with an affordable way to connect with each other as well as with artists and professionals from the K-pop music industry.[9] During KCON '12, Mnet Media's Ted Kim was interviewed by journalist Michael Holmes from CNN to discuss the rise of K-Pop in the United States.[7]
On June 21, 2016, Euny Hong reported in the Wall Street Journal that the North American KCONs, although very popular, were only a break-even financially. CJ E&M's American CEO Angela Killoren said they are more interested in the long-term goal of raising Korea's brand value than short-term gain.[10] Also, in a June press conference, Shin Hyung-kwan, president of CJ E&M's Mnet contents business, said, "KCON, which has been held in Abu Dhabi in March, Japan in April, and Paris early this month, is not just about making money. Numbers are important but what matters more is the potential created by the event for the next five, 10 and 20 years." Shin added that the company goals were increasing the growth of products and services to the global market by expanding partnerships with Korean small and medium enterprises.[11]
Reception[edit]
Jeff Benjamin, Billboard K-Town columnist, wrote that the convention has "hit every note to provide a new look at a world of music still gaining ground in the U.S.", and with thousands of people from all over North America attending KCON ‘12, the convention has "truly proved its ability to pass language barriers and kick-start what may be an annual music tradition."[85] The Orange County Register described KCON ‘12 as "A daylong K-Pop invasion at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater".[86]
In 2014, New York City's Fuse TV said, "In just three years, KCON has become an annual pilgrimage for K-pop fans in America."[38] NBC News said, "Thousands of screaming fans and the stars they adore gathered in Los Angeles for KCON, a celebration of Korean pop music and culture".[22] Miami's Fusion TV called KCON '14 "the mother ship of all Korean culture events in this country",[29] and observed, "k-pop fans might be the most devoted in the entire world."[23] Melissa Block of NPR's All Things Considered said of KCON '14, "K-pop is here to stay."[41]
In 2015, Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone wrote: "KCON has become so popular in the U.S. that even the Los Angeles fest is expanding to a larger venue...as attendance has ballooned since the inaugural KCON LA in 2012", and "will go bi-coastal...and head to Newark", adding, "KCON also hosted their first ever Japan convention."[2] August Brown of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "In its early years, many wondered whether a South Korean act (other than Psy) could impact mainstream top-40 pop. But after watching the Sunday night installment of KCON 2015, it's clear that's the wrong question. K-pop's young and wide-ranging audience is the new mainstream in America."[55]