KCON 2013 Hits L.A. With a Bang, Selling Out Two-day Convention And Concert

Published on 2013/08/26

Missy Elliott and Six of the World's Hottest K-pop Acts Capped off the Convention With M COUNTDOWN What's up LA concert

More than 20,000 fans of all things Hallyu attended the second annual KCON (www.kconusa.com) this weekend, as the largest K-pop fan convention in the U.S., expanded to two days and made the move to the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The sold out convention and concert – which featured an on-stage collaboration between Missy Elliott and G-Dragon, along with performances from EXO, TEEN TOP, f(x), Dynamic Duo and 2AM – was the latest example of the impact the Korean Wave and Asian pop culture is having across America. The concert – M COUNTDOWN What's up LA – will be televised in the U.S. by Mnet America (www.mnetamerica.com) on air and online at 8pm EDT/5pm PDT on Thursday August 29.

KCON 2013 – presented by CJ E&M and produced by Mnet, a division of CJ Group, Korea's leading lifestyle and culture company – gave fans the ultimate access to everything Hallyu (a.k.a. the Korean Wave), from artist panels and autograph signings to panels on the making of K-pop hits, re-creating your favorite K-pop fashion and more.

More than 20,000 fans from across the U.S. attended the sold out convention and concert.

Over 18 musical artists performed including 7 of the hottest acts from Korea and the Untied States' own rap royalty, Missy Elliott.

Over 100 special guests were invited to participate in the convention including many notable Korean American celebrities - Joe Hahn (Linkin Park), Will Yun Lee (The Wolverine), Danny Im (Mnet America's Danny from LA), Hee Jun Han (American Idol) and many more.

11 international fan clubs were present, recruiting new members

77 companies including sponsors, labels, media companies, and special merchandise booths participated. Companies included SM Town, Hulu, Soompi, Viki and major sponsors including Verizon, LG, Hyundai, Asiana, Bibigo, and CGV. Also participating was KOTRA (Korea Trade–Investment Promotion Agency) representing small and medium Korean businesses, showing the power that pop culture to elevate a national brand, in this case Brand Korea.

"For two years now KCON has been a success beyond our expectations, pointing to the growing influence of K-pop, and interest and excitement it is generating in the U.S. We can't wait until next year", said Ted Kim, president and CEO of Mnet America, the U.S.-based Asian pop culture TV network, digital, social and experiential media arm of CJ E&M.

Original Mnet America TV programming represented at KCON included Angry Little Asian Girl, Danny from LA, and Jjang!