🎧 KCON LA 2025 DAY 1 — A DAY OF RISING TALENT, FAN ENERGY, AND CULTURAL SPOTLIGHTS
- K Fuse
- 3 minutes ago
- 6 min read
KCON LA 2025 Presented by Olive Young opened with a day packed with emerging talent, dedicated fanbases, and immersive cultural experiences. From the early morning DREAM STAGE auditions through high-energy busking stages, and curated convention booths, Day 1, which took place on August 1, set a strong foundation for the weekend ahead.
The day began on the Artist Stage with the DREAM STAGE auditions, featuring talented dancers from all across the globe performing to NCT 127’s “Fact Check.” Participants gathered in the convention foyer, catching up with old friends and making new ones, all buzzing with excitement and nerves. While waiting to enter the audition space, they rehearsed their choreography over and over, nailing every move and adding their own unique style. Once inside, they had a few moments to practice together before hitting the stage in groups of ten for two rounds of auditions. For many, it was their very first time performing on a real stage, but you’d never know it — their bright smiles and contagious energy made it feel like they’d been pros all along. Backstage, those waiting cheered loudly for everyone on stage, quickly becoming a supportive family. After the intense rounds, a few lucky participants were chosen to perform later that evening alongside members of NCT 127 during “Fact Check,” making dreams come true right here at KCON.
After the excitement of the DREAM STAGE auditions, it was time to dive into the vibrant festival grounds! The first stop was the Olive Young School booth, where KCONers were introduced to the beloved Korean beauty and wellness brand known for its wide range of skincare, cosmetics, and lifestyle products. Olive Young’s booth offered a hands-on experience, letting KCONers explore the latest trends in K-beauty with expert tips and personalized skincare quizzes, making it the perfect spot for both newbies and beauty aficionados to glow up.
Just steps away, bibigo captured hearts with its colorful mural of SEVENTEEN, instantly turning into a hotspot for selfies and group photos. The booth was buzzing with energy as KCONers lined up to participate in a TikTok dance challenge inspired by bibigo’s newest snack — seaweed chips. Participants showed off their best moves, with many recording and sharing their performances on social media, blending food, fun, and fandom seamlessly. After dancing, KCONers savored the snack’s deliciously crispy, savory flavor, adding a tasty twist to the experience.
McDonald’s brought a burst of playful competition with its snack wrap game, a clever reintroduction of a fan-favorite menu item. Contestants raced to wrap a giant plush chicken strip, lettuce, cheese, and sauce inside a felt tortilla, all while under the watchful eyes of cheering KCONers. The game created lively, laughter-filled moments as participants sprinted against each other, showcasing their speed and dexterity for a chance to win exclusive McDonald’s-themed prizes. This activation became a memorable highlight, perfectly blending nostalgia with interactive fun.
Before stepping outside, the K-Story & Comics in America booth welcomed KCONers into a world of anime and webtoon wonder. Decorated in bright yellow hues and anime art, the space was alive with joyful chatter. KCONers posed with life-sized cutouts of beloved webtoon characters, snapping photos and creating lasting memories. The booth’s games added a layer of excitement — attendees picked machines offering chances to win exclusive buttons, decorative tape, or keychains featuring fan-favorite webtoon icons. This blend of photo ops and collectibles made the booth a favorite stop for fans looking to connect with Korea’s rich storytelling culture.
Stepping outside, KCONers found the perfect spot to relax and dive into the artist booths. At Starship Entertainment’s booth, KCONers shared heartfelt messages of support for their favorite Starship artists, creating a warm, communal vibe filled with love and encouragement. NEWBEAT’s booth added a playful twist with a fun stamp event where KCONers could collect unique stamps for a chance to win exclusive selfies and limited-edition KCON merch, making every visit a little adventure.
As KCONers wandered toward the food court, delicious aromas of Thai, Korean, and other cuisines filled the air, tempting taste buds and making it almost impossible to pick just one dish. The variety of authentic flavors created a mouthwatering oasis where attendees could recharge before diving back into the festival excitement. Just beyond the food area, AEG Presents showcased an exciting lineup of upcoming tours featuring major stars like G-Dragon, Kai, RIIZE, and more. KCONers had the chance to join a special follow event, entering for a shot at winning tickets to these hotly anticipated shows — a perfect opportunity for true K-Pop fans to get closer to their idols. Nearby, the REAL: The Movie activation offered a unique blend of gallery and cinema. Attendees could step into the film’s world while meeting lead actress Cera Kim, who took a moment to chat with K Fuse about what makes REAL so special and what fans can look forward to.
The most popular outdoor destination for KCONers was the Busking Stage -- the heartbeat of the festival grounds, where rising talent steps out from behind polished concert productions and gets up close with fans. The Busking Stage was all about connection, storytelling, and those unforgettable little moments that happen when artists are just a few feet away from you.
Fresh off their <82 SYNDROME> North American Tour, Great M's rookie boy group who has gained attention through their synchronized and fun stage presence, powerful raps, and captivating lyrics, 82MAJOR set the tone, strolling onto the stage with a relaxed confidence that made the crowd lean in from the very start. Instead of rushing into songs, they took their time chatting with fans about their recent tour stops, sharing little behind-the-scenes moments that only made everyone love them more. Introducing themselves to fans, they highlighted that not only would they return to the busking stage to answer fan-submitted questions, but they would also be opening the night's concert as part of the pre-show lineup!
Then came BEAT INTERACTIVE’s newest boy group, NEWBEAT. For longtime KCONers, their appearance was a full-circle moment. In 2024, KCONers met them as wide-eyed trainees, busking on the streets of LA and dreaming of the day they’d stand on a big stage. Now, in 2025, they returned as a freshly debuted group, part of KCON’s official Rising Artist lineup and even taking on pre-show opener duties on Night 3. Their first busking set was short but sweet, giving the crowd a taste of their unique sound. But it was during their second Busking Stage appearance that they truly shined — launching into a confident performance of “CAPPUCCINO” that had fans singing along and filming every second.
Closing out the Busking Stage was WAY BETTER’s from20 and HELLO GLOOM. Their energy matched the crowd’s excitement as they danced and laughed between songs, creating a lively and intimate atmosphere. Rather than just performing, they made the moment interactive by pausing between tracks to answer fan questions. Some KCONers eagerly asked about plans for a U.S. tour, hoping to see them live again soon. Others took a deeper approach, asking the duo to share how their solo careers have shaped them differently compared to their experiences in previous groups. Their honest and heartfelt answers gave fans a real glimpse into their journeys, making it clear how much they appreciate these genuine connections with their audience.
From there, the energy carried back inside, where the X Stage was buzzing with anticipation for Yim Siwan’s special fan meet. For some KCONers, it was the perfect chance to see the man behind Player 333 in Squid Game, while others were excited to reconnect with the multi-talented singer who first made his debut in 2010 as a member of ZE:A. With his signature smile lighting up the stage, Yim Siwan teamed up with the host for a round of fun games, starting with a time attack challenge. In a playful nod to his Squid Game number, he had exactly 33 seconds to introduce himself. Host Tim amped up the crowd, encouraging KCONers to call out “speed up!” or “slow down!” to help him nail the timing. The cheers grew louder with each passing second, and with their help, Siwan hit the mark perfectly—ending in a wave of applause, laughter, and an unforgettable KCON moment.
KCON LA 2025’s opening day was a vibrant celebration of talent, culture, and fandom, setting an electric tone for the weekend ahead. From the fierce passion of the DREAM STAGE auditions to the immersive festival booths and dynamic busking performances, every moment invited KCONers closer to the heart of K-Pop and Korean culture. The seamless blend of interactive brand activations, delicious food, and intimate artist interactions created an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and connection. As the sun set on Day 1, KCONers left inspired and energized, eager to enjoy the concert and to dive deeper into the unforgettable experiences still to come.
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