KCON 2026 will be held in Japan and LA, featuring K-POP and K-lifestyle elements, with new experiences and artist lineups.
March/27/2026 10:54
CJ ENM, while preparing for "KCON JAPAN 2026" to be held at Makuhari Messe from May 8 to 10, has announced the lineup for "KCON LA 2026" to be held at the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena in August. This year's "KCON" has the annual theme "Walk in SOUL CITY." It aims to provide a venue that transcends K-POP, showcasing diverse elements that symbolize K-lifestyle, establishing its identity as a global platform where visitors can discover their own "K" style. As part of this, the experiential area "FESTIVAL GROUNDS" will be significantly renewed starting with "KCON JAPAN 2026." This area will introduce new content, including K-BEAUTY, K-STORY, and an evolved stage, in addition to the traditional K-POP booths. In K-BEAUTY, the "OLIVE YOUNG FESTA World Tour" will debut at "KCON," evolving into a space for deep experiences of the latest K-beauty. The newly established "K-STORY ZONE" in K-STORY will allow fans worldwide to enjoy the latest K-content targeting their preferences, including K-dramas. Lastly, the evolution of the stage will see the "M COUNTDOWN" stage extend the performance time of headliners to one hour each day, delivering an unprecedented immersive concert experience. "KCON" has been held in various locations worldwide since its inception in Irvine, USA, in 2012, building a festival model that encompasses Korean culture, including K-beauty, K-food, and K-content centered around music. It has been held in 14 regions worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and America, with a total offline attendance of approximately 2.23 million. Through digital platforms, tens of millions of global fans are building fandoms that transcend language barriers and borders, serving as a platform to assist artists' global expansion and brands' overseas ventures, while continuously enhancing its presence as a global K-POP festival. ■ Event Overview "KCON LA 2026" Dates: August 14-16 Venue: LA Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena 【Notable Artist Lineup】 (in alphabetical order) M COUNTDOWN STAGE: ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, ILLIT, izna, JO1, KickFlip, MEOVV, NCT 127, P1Harmony, SANTOS BRAVOS, TAEYONG (from NCT), TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TREASURE, YEONJUN, ZEROBASEONE, &TEAM X STAGE: from20 & HELLO GLOOM, KEYVITUP, ONE PACT, RESCENE, So! YoON! ■ Related Links Mnet Japan Official XMnet Japan Official Instagram
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