With each installment, KCON outdoes itself, and this year was no different. Held for the second year in a row (fifth in total) at the Los Angeles Convention Center, KCON 16 LA Presented by Toyota received 76,000 fans throughout July 29, 30, and 31 and pre-registration for the convention doubled from 2015. This year, the […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FAN.jpg38405760KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-08-09 13:53:292016-08-12 12:58:58Inside KCON 16 LA [PHOTOS]
The month of August got off to a blistering start for the K-pop world. Heavyweights like Hyuna, Taemin, and Girls’ Generation have comeback in some form alongside burgeoning rookie groups Oh My Girl and Monsta X. However, there have already been much more to see and we want to highlight some of the quality music […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Untitled-design-12.png800800Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2016-08-08 14:23:162016-08-08 14:23:16Suran, Nine Muses A, & Up10tion: Single Roundup Review
With each installment, KCON outdoes itself, and this year was no different. Held for the second year in a row (fifth in total) at the Los Angeles Convention Center, KCON 16 LA Presented by Toyota received 76,000 fans throughout July 29, 30, and 31 and pre-registration for the convention doubled from 2015. This year, the […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FAN.jpg38405760KultScenehttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngKultScene2016-08-09 13:53:292016-08-12 12:58:58Inside KCON 16 LA [PHOTOS]
The month of August got off to a blistering start for the K-pop world. Heavyweights like Hyuna, Taemin, and Girls’ Generation have comeback in some form alongside burgeoning rookie groups Oh My Girl and Monsta X. However, there have already been much more to see and we want to highlight some of the quality music […]
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Untitled-design-12.png800800Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2016-08-08 14:23:162016-08-08 14:23:16Suran, Nine Muses A, & Up10tion: Single Roundup Review
With each installment, KCON outdoes itself, and this year was no different. Held for the second year in a row (fifth in total) at the Los Angeles Convention Center, KCON 16 LA Presented by Toyota received 76,000 fans throughout July 29, 30, and 31 and pre-registration for the convention doubled from 2015. This year, the event expanded from the typical K-music and K-drama related booths and activities emphasis and hosted more diverse booths and panels including beauty, food, and gaming booths, which allowed con-goers to entertain themselves with far more options than previous years.
Expo
Courtesy of CJ E&M
Walking into the convention hall, the first thing you saw was the Toyota stage featuring dancers (and occasionally idols like GFRIEND who showed up on the second day) and the Soompi booth where you could spin a wheel and walk away with “K-pop Trash” swag. And then you were accosted by every possible product remotely related to South Korea on display at the booths filling up the room.
by Yasamine Entesari
You wanted snacks? You could pick up chocolate ab lollies at the Dramafever booth or stop by the SnackFever booth for some trendy snacks like Pepero cookie sticks or Crunky chocolate bars. And, if you were lucky enough to book a time slot, you could get some food at the Flower Boy Cafe. Yes, a cafe where handsome looking men would go out of their way to make the customers happy.
But maybe you wanted clothing? If you went to the Celeb Shop to pay a few dollars, picked a random number, and got a bag filled with some snazzy clothing. And the bag? It had Monsta X’s logo on the side so it looked like a whole lot of Monbebes (Yup, that’s what Monsta X’s fans are officially) were walking around KCON this year. And of course, we can’t forget the little sprout and flower hairpieces Bibigo was giving out as KCON jumped on the trend.
And, of course, we can’t forget about the K-beauty. Don’t worry. There was a whole “beauty block” especially for beauty booths with a different makeup or skin care product in every direction you looked. K-beauty fave brands like The Face Shop and Etude House were readily available, while stores like Glow Recipe, Soko Glam, and Meme Box were also selling goods. And if you stopped by NYX’s booth, you could get a free application of lipstick or eyeshadow and walk away with a full-size sample or two (or even three).
by Yasamine Entesari
This year, the convention stage was a bit more active than last year, hosting live bands, aegyo battles, and live beauty tutorials. On Friday, KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) hosted K-Pop Night Out featuring indie bands Dead Buttons, Love x Stereo, and Sultan of the Disco. Despite a few hiccups with the sound and an initial low turnout, by the end of the show, the indie bands had drawn a very specific crowd (mainly older than your average K-pop fan and corporate Koreans) and made everyone there dance and sway.
by Yasamine Entesari
Another new thing this year was the debut of KCON.TV, a video platform and online community that live streamed KCON throughout the whole weekend. In addition to stream the concerts, KCON.TV also aired interviews with celebrities conducted by popular YouTubers like BapMokja and Haeppy. Their booth at the convention also hosted mini meet and greets with YouTubers and even Justin Kim, an ex-contestant on America’s Next Top Model.
by Yasamine Entesari
Panels & Workshops
The panels at KCON LA were more diverse than ever this year, with directors of dramas in one room chatting about their inspiration as K-beauty gurus gave people tips in another and YouTubers performed dance covers in another. Want to learn Korean? There’s a workshop or two for that. Want to hear what it’s like producing for idols? Yup, you guessed it. Any and every sort of topic relating to Korean pop culture (films, music, television, etc.) were covered at the second half of the con.
The only downside of this year’s panels were that they were a far walk and additional security check away from the main convention hall, meaning that people had to make quite the effort to go and access them.
Red Carpet
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
The second day of KCON’s convention came to conclusion with the red carpet ahead of that night’s concert, hosted by first generation idol Danny Im. And boy did the stars come out to talk to. Beginning with the handsome Lee Minho himself, the crowd was full of cheers for one of Korea’s top actors as he expressed his delight at meeting LA fans and his desire to go surfing, just like his character did in 2013’s “The Heirs.”
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
Next up was another solo male, but this time it was the relative newcomer DEAN, who had just finished his fanmeet a few moments before. The endearing singer-songwriter also had a warm welcome from the crowd as he posed like a rockstar (sticking out his tongue and all), especially as he broke into a quick rendition of his song “21.”
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
Following the men were a gaggle of girls, namely I.O.I (11 members) and GFRIEND (6 members). The two girls groups clearly won over the hearts of the audience. I.O.I’s Somi, who is half Dutch-Canadian and half Korean, did most of the talking for the group and expressed the team’s happiness at being at KCON so shortly after their debut. GFRIEND, decked out in light pink gowns, expressed similar feelings. (They would both excite the audience later that night with their dance-pop songs).
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
After the ladies left the stage, Danny, who was part of 1TYM, reunited with once-rivals (well, at least they both were angling for top place in the late ‘90s) Turbo. Turbo’s Kim Jong Kook (yes, Running Man Kim Jong Kook) and Mikey did most of the talking, but the older act definitely surprised with their playful personalities.
by Alexis Hodoyan-Gastelum
Ending off the first night’s red carpet were two SM Entertainment acts. f(x)’s Amber, who was performing at KCON solo for the first time, received a huge warm welcome, which may or may not have had to do with the fact that a) she’s a fan favorite b) she’s from LA. SHINee, that night’s headliners, then came on to end the red carpet with their winning smiles and every glance they took had a fangirl fainting in the audience. (Not really, but the screams were insanity).
The month of August got off to a blistering start for the K-pop world. Heavyweights like Hyuna, Taemin, and Girls’ Generation have comeback in some form alongside burgeoning rookie groups Oh My Girl and Monsta X. However, there have already been much more to see and we want to highlight some of the quality music that new and old groups are putting out. Tracks range from the hot tropical sound of the moment to exciting new sub units to tough boys trying (and taking ownership of) cutesy concepts.
”Paradise Go” by Suran
Indie soloist, Suran is probably best known for her work with Primary and Beenzino up to now. She has been carving out a career for herself though with some excellent and distinct work (check out the abstract R&B in “I Feel”). This time she’s going for something a little more summer friendly with tropical track “Paradise Go”.
Producer ca$hville captures the essence of the trending tropical house/chillwave sound, which the description in the Youtube video of “Paradise Go” shoves down our throats. Its bobbing synths, electronic drums, and Suran’s laidback vocals create the relaxed atmosphere perfect for summer. The song takes its time moving from moment to moment, hard to be sure if we have entered the chorus or if it just happened already. While I like how this fits with the mood of the song it does nothing to the genre. It feels like just another entry in the already full trop-house when someone like Suran could have done something interesting to reinvigorate it. There are snippets of new ideas, like the auto-tune before the chorus, which threatens for a moment to upend what we know about songs like this but in the end all we get is a well produced but uninspired song.
Star Empire have probably been feeling Nine Muses’ popularity slip for a long time. Now that they lost another two members it really seems like they’re on the way out. So it makes sense for them to try something a little different with sub-unit Nine Muses A. Their single “Lip 2 Lip” doesn’t go for any new concepts opposing the original Nine Muses. But what we do get is some classic pop.
“Lip 2 Lip” isn’t particularly catching at first listen. It’s a relatively safe song choice with little surprises. It is well produced by Star Empire regular Jeong Changuk, with bursts of synths and backing band. The sounds work best on the song when either of these are taken leaving only one, especially for Sojin’s rap which just has the guitar, bass, and drums. It lets her bring her whisper up to a confident breathy tone. Transitioning directly into Kyungri and Keumjo’s duel verse also works really well. Both their voices combine for the most satisfying part of “Lip 2 Lip.” I also like how it escalates before slowing down for the bridge. Postponing the valley for a moment makes it work all the better as it winds down for a great conclusion.
Lyrically it’s fun too with the girls professing their love for a boy that’s not exactly typical. This is best articulated with Keumjo’s simile, “You’re like a rugby ball” (as she holds an American football in the video). Sojin’s mentions of black and white holes also conjure interesting images.
Of all the rookie boy groups out there in the past two years, Up10tion are one of the few that have caught my eye. Their debut “So Dangerous” was okay and their follow up “Attention” was great but both times they showed invention in their choreography. With their latest track, “Tonight,” they have gone the cutesy boy route, similar to fellow rookies Astro and A.Cian. This concept is one that I can rarely get into. I can’t seem to ever put my gender bias to the side with tracks like this as they always feel awkward and a bit sad to be honest. There are times when a group can get past thatthrough sheer energy and fun. This is one of those times.
“Tonight” is an attack of bright brass and strings. It shines at every moment from the extended intro to the raps, which even with the deeper voices don’t sound out of place. It’s cheesy and energetic, exactly what a song like this should be like. It’s a testament to their talent that they can deliver a song like this so well despite their tough guy origins and not fall into embarrassing territory. It’s something few others have transitioned to as well. While not at the level of Seventeen yet, Up10tion are one of the only lesser known groups threatening more popular acts with quality rather than just a rabid fanbase.
Which of these songs do you like best, “Paradise Go” by Suran, “Lip 2 Lip” by Nine Muses A, or “Tonight” by Up10tion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Untitled-design-12.png800800Joe Palmerhttps://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngJoe Palmer2016-08-08 14:23:162016-08-08 14:23:16Suran, Nine Muses A, & Up10tion: Single Roundup Review
