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Inside KCON 2017 Mexico [photos]

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Curtesy of CJ E&M

Given the brand’s success in Los Angeles and New York, expectations were at an all time high for KCON 2017 Mexico — the first in not only the country, but also in all of Latin America. While most first installments of KCON in a new country last one single day, the convention and M! Countdown concert were held at the Mexico City Arena for two days, Mar. 16 and 17, and saw 33,000 attendees. And how could the turnout not be this big when the convention portion was free and the concert roster included BTS, Monsta X, Red Velvet, NCT 127, Eric Nam, EXID, Astro, and INFINITE H? They were aiming big and hit it big.

Being the first year, KCON 2017 Mexico did not run perfectly. But the lows most certainly did not overshadow the highs. There’s a lot of room for improvement, of course, but KCON Mexico probably started out more smoothly than its LA and NY counterparts. The convention was small and held little events, but at each one, fans enjoyed the most out of them.

Convention

kcon mexico 2017 17 mx kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

Since the concerts would be held at the Mexico City Arena, the convention had to be held somewhere closeby. And like early KCON LAs, the convention took place at the top floor of the venue’s parking lot. Unfortunately, this didn’t make for the most accessible nor spacious. The line to get into the convention circled the actual arena and lead up about three flights of stairs. Moreover, most of the vendors were cramped together. It did work, however, given that there was no other space available around that could fit a convention of this size.

The vendors, though limited, carried everything a K-pop fan would want to buy. From popular K-beauty brands like Tony Moly and CJ IMC, to local stores selling K-pop merch. The food options were also scarce, but it covered the all basics like kimbap, topokki, mandu, and diverse dessert options.

kcon mexico 2017 17 mx kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

Viki and DramaFever were also both there, offering freebies and fun games to the attendees. The dance workshop space was big, which was ideal, especially when popular YouTubers Jun Curry Ahn and JRE went on stage to learn the choreography for BTS’ “Not Today.”

kcon mexico kpop convention kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

Also on KultScene: KCON 2017 Mexico’s M! Countdown Day 1 Concert Recap

Panels & Workshops

Panels and workshops were also scarce, with only one tent dedicated to each. But as aforementioned, this was the first installment of KCON Mexico, so it’s expected.

What wasn’t expected, however, is the fans reactions to popular YouTubers and influencers. Fans coming out of the fan engagements crying and huddling with each other to share their fan cams were a common sight, and it’s something that happens a lot in KCON LA and NY too. In Mexico though, fans would cry, scream, and follow all the YouTubers on panels and workshops like if they were idols themselves.

kcon mexico kpop convention kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

During KenroVlogs’ panel, fans crowded the small stage and stood on the chairs to get the best look at him. Other fans waited outside the panelists’ lounge, waiting for JRE, and Jun Curry Ahn, and pretty much everyone who might be inside, chanting their names, hoping they come outside. And they did. Sometimes.

Viki hosted a couple of panels throughout both days centered on the contrast between the Mexican and Korean cultures — with a K-drama focus, of course. A few of their Mexican subbers talked about their experiences working for them and about their favorite dramas. They also talked about the disparity of them with Mexican telenovelas. Fans during the questions portion largely called them “vulgar” and non-creative, and expressed their desire for a much needed revamp. DramaFever, for their part, also hosted a workshop with one of the stars of their drama Oh My Grace, which they produced.

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by Alejandro Abarca

On another panel, Mexican YouTubers Double Trouble en Corea came all the way from Korea for the event and were also received by many passionately screaming fans who wanted to take pictures with them. For their panel, the sister duo disproved a lot of myths that fans have about living in Korea and K-pop idols. They also talked about what they most miss about Mexico and the Korean amenities and lifestyle options they can no longer live without (namely, the fast internet).

Red Carpet

kcon mexico 2017 bts v suga yoongi taehyun jin seokjin jungkook rap monster namjoon jimin jhope j hope red carpet kpop 17 mx

by Alejandro Abarca

A classic portion of every KCON is the red carpet, when all the artists performing that night come out to quickly greet fans and the media in their best outfits right before the show. However, in recent years, it’s become the place to see the SM Entertainment artists up close, given that they don’t have fan engagement events (or at least not since EXO and f(x) at KCON LA 2013).

kcon mexico 2017 red velvet wendy seulgi irene yerin red carpet kpop 17 mx

by Alejandro Abarca

Compared to other KCONs in LA and NY, the red carpet in Mexico was rushed, but at the same time, the artists were so spaced out among them that the MC, Korean Lover Joon, often ran out of things to say to the audience. Each artist answered around one question or two from the MC, posed rapidly for the cameras and fans, and then left. The concerts didn’t start until an hour and a half or two after the end of the red carpet, so maybe they needed to eat? Rest? Who knows…

kcon mexico 2017 monsta x red carpet mx 17 kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

Also on KultScene: KCON 2017 Mexico’s M! Countdown Day 2 Concert Recap

Viki Event

kcon mexico 2017 17 mx kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

After KCON 2017 Mexico ended, Viki held an almost secret K-drama and K-pop party on Mar. 18 at Coffee KKot. Fans who were lucky enough to cop a free ticket were treated to breakfast and coffee, plus a bunch of K-pop and K-drama related games. Not to mention some of the most screamed after YouTubers at KCON like Latina Saram and KenroVlogs hosted mini fan meets, where fans got to take pictures with them and win awesome prizes.

kcon mexico 2017 viki 17 mx

by Alejandro Abarca

Check out the rest of the pictures from KCON 2017 Mexico, including all the red carpet ones.

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Have you ever attended any of the KCONs around the world? Share your thoughts and experience with us 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.

KCON 2017 Mexico’s M! Countdown Day 2 Concert Recap

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red velvet kpop korean pop kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

When KCON arrives in a new city for the first time, they generally hold just one concert night. Not in Mexico City, though. For the inaugural installment, KCON 2017 Mexico hosted two M! Countdown shows. And while more fans showed up the day prior to support BTS, concertgoers there to see Monsta X, Red Velvet, Astro, INFINITE H, and Eric Nam (yes, again!) also witnessed an awesome show on Mar. 18.

astro kcon mexico 2017 kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

The pre-show kicked off just like previous installments of KCON in the US have, with a performance of violinist and YouTuber Jun Curry Ahn. This time around he played Crush’s “Beautiful,” which is the OST for the drama Goblin. He also played BTS’ “Spring Day.”

astro kcon mexico 2017 kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

The first artist up for the second and last night of KCON Mexico was Astro, who started out their set with “Breathless.” Their stage’s graphics were a huge pop of color, which complemented their concept perfectly, as well as their songs. And other than singing “Only You” and a ballad, they performed “Should’ve Held On,” revealing that it was the first time they’d perform the song.

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by Alejandro Abarca

For KCON Mexico’s second night, Eric Nam came back to serve primarily as the official MC. But after Astro, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi came out to present the next performers: fellow member Wendy and Eric. The singers performed their SM Station song “Sweet Love,” and said it was the first time they’d performed it together. This performance lead to Eric’s solo performance, which meant that, though not officially announced, he performed both KCON nights. And even if he didn’t deliver a full set, he performed “Can’t Help Myself” and “Heaven’s Door,” which he didn’t do the previous night. For the latter’s performance, however, he didn’t have a guest rapper to stand in for Loco this time and just danced through it.

eric name wendy red velvet kcon mexico 2017 kpop

by Alejandro Abarca

Also on KultScene: KCON 2017 Mexico’s M! Countdown Day 1 Concert Recap

Cutely struggling through her Spanish lines, Wendy served as the MC for this portion of the show and introduced the next performer, Monsta X. A highly anticipated performance of the night, the group’s set started out with Jooheon and IM’s fiery rendition of “That’s My Future.” This perfectly set the pace for their entire set, because that’s what a Monsta X performance is: lit. The rest of the members joined the rappers on stage and delved into “Fighter,” “Trespass,” and “Hero.”

And just like the first night, the “Piñata Time” segment made a comeback. Before the piñata spun, Monsta X were cracking jokes and stating their preference for the outcomes. Jooheon proudly declared, “I like kiss time,” in English. The winning mission, however, was love song, to which they sang “White Sugar.” But their performance had to end on a high note with just as much power as they’d started so they ended with “All In,” much to the delight of screaming fangirls at the mere sight of their exposed abs.

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by Alejandro Abarca

KCON Mexico had a sudden 180 degree switch up as the stage went from dark and manly-looking to an explosion of color and quirky graphics. Red Velvet sans Joy, who went back to Korea after their performance at SXSW in Texas for her drama shooting, immediately went into “Rookie” and “Dumb Dumb.” After this, the group gave — or at least attempted to — their greeting to the audience, but they were caught off guard an intense furor from the fans who chanted their names and screamed at the top of their lungs. The four girls looked both surprised and touched by the reception. They weren’t even the headliners but their fans had shown up in large numbers to support them.

This segued into “Piñata Time,” where their winning mission was “photo time.” Red Velvet gave the crowd many cute poses which, again, were received with loud approval. To close their set, the group’s final song was “Russian Roulette.” Even missing a member, Red Velvet did not miss a step or note, and covered Joy’s position in the choreographies.

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by Alejandro Abarca

One of the key elements of every KCON M! Countdown show are always the special stages. Eric talked about the massive popularity K-dramas have in Mexico, and mentioned a few of the most popular there. This talk lead to the aforementioned special stage. Singing “Beautiful” from the most popular drama in Mexico Goblin, Monsta X’s Kihyun gave an ethereal rendition of Crush’s heartfelt song.

hoya infinite h kpop kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

hoya infinite h kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

The last act of the night was INIFINITE’s rap line subgroup Infinite H. Their set started out with a video message from the rest of the members both introducing the duo and apologizing for not being there as a whole. As the video ended, a few purple spotlights appeared and Hoya came out with an interpretive dance rendition of Lukas Graham’s “7 Years.” Dongwoo followed up, together with their dancers, dancing to a Bruno Mars song.

dongwoo infinite h kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

Also on KultScene: 5 Fave Moments from Giriboy & Blacknut’s San Francisco Show
infinite h hoya dongwoo kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

Infinite H kicked off their set with their latest release “Pretty,” which the audience waved their hands and sang along to. Even though the crowd didn’t know all of their songs, they still danced and swayed to “Without U” and “Special Girl.” Moreover, all the fangirls squealed with “Sorry I’m Busy,” one of their most rap heavy songs, to which they delivered plenty of body rolls.

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by Alejandro Abarca

And with that, the concert came to a close. Unlike the previous night, all the groups and Eric came out to wave the crowds goodbye. The INFINITE H members danced and grooved to other group’s songs, especially Monsta X. Astro, for their part, sang along to Red Velvet’s “Rookie” while pointing at themselves for being the super rookies they are. The all held hands and bowed out as millions of confetti dropped upon the audience. Most groups exited the stage after a short while, but INFINITE H stayed back to keep dancing and hug each other and deliver plenty of fan service.

astro kcon mexico 2017

by Alejandro Abarca

Considering it was the first installment, KCON Mexico surely delivered. They brought A-list groups who delivered top notch performances. Eric Nam deserves extra kudos for his Spanish skills, and Red Velvet gets an A for effort. INFINITE H and Monsta X gave their all in their choreographies, as did Red Velvet, whilst melting fanboys and girls’ hearts. And, of course, Astro made us cringe from the cuteness, proving to be a fun group to stan.

kcon mexico 2017 kpop red velvet astro infinite h eric nam monsta x

by Alejandro Abarca

KCON Mexico ended setting the bar high. Higher than Los Angeles and New York did in their first installments, that’s for sure. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year’s show, as well as the upcoming LA and NY conventions. KCON Mexico set the tone for an awesome year and we can’t wait for the US KCONs this summer.

kcon mexico 2017 kpop red velvet astro infinite h eric nam monsta x

by Alejandro Abarca

What’s your favorite KCON Mexico act? Tell us what you think 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.