K-Pop Fans Are Losing It Over Their Idols at Los Angeles Festivaloriginally appeared onParade. K-pop fans are all over downtown Los Angeles this weekend in honor of an annual three-day festival celebrating Korean music and culture. KCONlaunched in 2012, and the latest LA iteration kicked off Friday, Aug. 1, at the Convention Center, where fans of all ages are attending to embrace Korean culture and celebrate their favorite idols. Friday night's concert featured musical artistsNCT127,Zerobaseone,P1Harmony,Baby DONT Cry,Lee Young Ji,NOWZ,IS:SUEandIVE. According toVariety, Korean's famed film and TV shows were recognized at Friday's concert, with special appearances by actorsLee Byung-hun(Squid Game,KPop Demon HuntersandPark Chan Wook's upcomingNo Other Choice) andYim Siwan(Squid Game). "K-pop, K-movies, K-dramas, K-beauty, K-food — we're always falling deeper in love with K-culture. And at the center of it, all this, is KCON," Lee, 55, told the crowd as the concert officially kicked off. "For 13 years, since 2012, KCON has connected artists and fans across the globe." The third season ofSquid Gamedropped on Netflix June 27. By its second week of release, the Primetime Emmy Award-winning series already achieved Netflix's best 10-day viewership ever with 106.3 million views,according toVariety. In addition to the performances, there are booths set up across LA's landmark venue promoting popular Korean brands and offering free samples of products and food items. On Friday, fans were wearing white, pink and green Olive Young totes from a large pop-up promoting the beauty retailer's upcoming U.S. storefront and some of the top brands it carries, according toVariety. On Friday, the LA City Council declared Aug. 1 "KCON Day" in honor of the festival's return. Now in its 13th year, KCON has become one of the largest global events dedicated to Korean entertainment and lifestyle. KCON LA 2025 runs through Sunday, Aug. 3. For more information about the event, including last-minute ticket-purchasing options, clickhere. K-Pop Fans Are Losing It Over Their Idols at Los Angeles Festivalfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 2, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
