KCON (music festival)
KCON is an annual K-Pop convention held in the United States organized by Mnet Media, first started in 2012.
Background
KCON is organized by the South Korean music label and entertainment agency Mnet Media.[1] KCON's aim is to establish an annual flagship event that will 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.[2] During KCON ‘12, Mnet Media's Ted Kim was interviewed by journalist Michael Holmes from CNN to discuss about the rise of K-Pop in the United States.[1]
Attendance figures
According to a reporter from The Wall Street Journal, KCON ‘12 attracted over 10,000 people.[3]
Timeline
2012
KCON ‘12 was held on October 13 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California. Music artists invited to perform include 4Minute, B.A.P, Exo-M, Nu'est, VIXX, and G.NA
2013
KCON ‘13 will be held from August 24 to 25 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The lineup includes EXO (K & M), 2AM, Teen Top, f(x), G-Dragon, Dynamic Duo, Yu Seung Woo, DJ Koo and Missy Eliot.[4] A multitude of special guest will also be present at KCON '13, such as Super Junior's Henry, who will also be performing, as well as speaking at a panel.
Reception
Jeff Benjamin from Billboard wrote that the convention "hit every note to provide a new look at a world of music still gaining ground in the U.S" and explained that with the thousands of people attending KCON ‘12 coming from all over North America, the convention "truly proved its ability to pass language barriers and kick-start what may be an annual music tradition."[5]
Joseph L. Flatley from the media network The Verge, attended KCON ‘12 and reported that the highlight of the entire event was a concert where a half-dozen K-Pop bands performed, many for the first time in the United States.[6]
The Orange County Register described KCON ‘12 as "a daylong K-Pop invasion at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater".[7]
References
- ^ a b "The Rise of "K-Pop"". CNN. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
CNN's Michael Holmes talks with M-Net's President , Ted Kim about "K-Con", an event that focused on Korean culture.
- ^ "KCON '12". KCON '12. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Yang, Jeff. "Will the Korean Pop Culture Boom Have Legs?". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
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- ^ Benjamin, Jeff. "KCON 2012: 15 Things Seen & Overheard". Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ Flatley, Joseph L. "K-Pop takes America: how South Korea's music machine is conquering the world". The Verge. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
- ^ Hall, David (2012-09-19, 2012-09-20 (updated)). "Aerosmith at Staples Center, K-Pop invades O.C." The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
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External links
- KCON '12, Official website