Every year, KCON brings fans together to celebrate Korean culture, and this time, we joined the excitement in Los Angeles!
From music and dramas to food, beauty, and so much more, KCON is a full celebration of all things Korean and culture. After soaking it all in, we had so many unforgettable moments to choose from, but we’ve picked our top 15 favorites to share with The Knockturnal’s audience.
1. Byung Hun Lee Special Appearance
KCON isn’t just about music; it’s also a celebration of Korean dramas, film, and the stars who bring them to life. On Day 1, fans were treated to a surprise appearance from renowned actor Byung Hun Lee, known for Mr. Sunshine, Squid Game, and most recently K-Pop Demon Hunters. Before stepping on stage as the night’s MC, the KCON screens playfully teased his character “Gwi Ma” from K-Pop Demon Hunters, setting the crowd buzzing. It was a witty intro that kicked off three nights of high-energy hosting and unforgettable performances.
2. Sibling Stages: P1Harmony’s Keeho & 82Major’s Yechan
While we didn’t get to see them perform together, Day 1 held a special meaning for fans of both P1Harmony’s Keeho and 82Major’s Yechan, two brothers sharing the same stage on the same night, each with their group. 82Major impressed with sharp choreography and synchronization, while P1Harmony unleashed their global power with performances of “DUH!” and “Pretty Boy” that shook the venue. Different styles, same star power!
3. Mark Lee’s Birthday Celebration
Celebrating his birthday under the Crypto arena lights, Mark Lee, NCT’s very own “trademark,” made the night unforgettable. He kicked things off with a long-awaited solo stage, performing tracks like “1999”, before teaming up with fellow member Haechan for “+82 Pressin.” The celebration continued as NCT 127 tore through iconic concert anthems like “Kick It.” Even soloist Lee Youngji joined in the fun, giving Mark a birthday shoutout mid-show. The energy, the music, and the love for the birthday boy made it a night to remember.
4. WAAKING! with Lee Youngji & Sung Hanbin
Soloist Lee Youngji, known for her powerful message and genuine charm, joined forces with Sung Hanbin of ZEROBASEONE for a performance of “You Should See Me in a Crown.” Midway through, the duo broke into fierce waacking choreography that had the crowd screaming. Their chemistry, precision, and pure stage presence turned this collab into one of the night’s most iconic moments.
5. K-Pop Generation Stages
In tribute to the legendary groups and the rise of K-pop as a global force, the newer generations took the spotlight with special cover stages. NOWZ took on Stray Kids’ “Maniac”, while IZNA put their spin on “Golden.” Each brought fresh energy and unique charm to these already iconic tracks. A standout for us was the K-pop Demon Hunters stage, the girls served HUNTRIX visuals and vocals!
6. ZEROBASEONE Takeover
ZEROBASEONE is no stranger to owning the KCON stage, but this year, they proved their talents go beyond performances! Across all three days, members stepped up as MCs, bringing charisma and fan energy to every intro: Day 1 featured Hanbin and Matthew, Day 2 paired Ricky with Hanbin, and Day 3 closed out with Zhanghao and Hanbin. The crowd’s screams for these MC moments were ear-splitting—honestly, some of the loudest we’ve ever heard for hosts.
7. Putting the ‘SHOW’ in ‘Pre-Show’
Each night, KCON kicked off with a pre-show spotlighting up-and-coming acts who just might be main stage headliners in the upcoming years. From HITGS’ bubblegum pop and sparkling sets to FROM20 and HELLOGLOOM’s intense, nonstop, energetic performances, these new talents brought the fun to the stage! Other shoutouts go to IFEYE and NEWBEAT, who debuted the track “Cappuccino,” a performance that was vocally and choreographically elevated and truly brought the “show” in “pre-show.” These rising stars gave fans a sneak peek at the future of K-pop, and we can’t wait to see more from them.
8. MONSTA X KCON Comeback: Here After a Decade
A full-circle moment for the “top-tier 3rd generation” group, MONSTA X took the stage to celebrate 10 years of KCON, together as a unit. They bodied iconic tracks like “Beautiful Liar”, and Shownu & Hyungwon’s duo stage kicked off the night. From start to finish, the crowd was packed and roaring, with their flawless dance moves and seasoned flow. Legends in the game. 10 years later, MONSTA X’s journey and KCON’s legacy are forever intertwined.
9. aespa’s ‘Dirty Work’ Debut
SM’s powerhouse girl group aespa made their KCON LA debut with a bang, premiering their latest track “Dirty Work” live on U.S. soil for the first time. Alongside that, they served up full-show worthy performances of “Whiplash,” “Supernova,” and even a special B-side, “Flights Not Feelings.” Their ‘dramatic’ stage presence had everyone hooked!
10. Jackson Wang’s First Solo KCON
The man himself, Jackson Wang, stepped onto the KCON LA stage for the very first time as a soloist, igniting the crowd with screams and energy. Previously appearing at KCON LA 2017 with GOT7, Jackson kept the party alive with high-energy dance with his squad of background dancers. He also teased fans with exciting news of an upcoming tour, sending the already set energy through the roof.
11. KEY’s Tour Announcement
Speaking of tours, KEY of SHINee brought his signature charisma to the stage with bright orange hair and undeniable K-pop royalty. His set mixed high-energy hits like “Good & Great” with sassy vibes on “CoolAs”, showcasing his powerful vocals and classic tracks before dropping the exciting news of an upcoming tour revisit. We can’t wait!
12. IZNA: New Faces of K-pop
IZNA, the seven-member group from a survival show, made waves with their bubblegum-pop charm. Performing “BEEP” and “SIGN”, their infectious energy and killer vocals had everyone dancing and smiling. Though it was their first live LA stage after last year’s booth appearances, IZNA proved they’re a new K-pop act to watch!
13. 13 Years of KCON
Fittingly, number 13 marks a major milestone: this year was the 13th anniversary of KCON LA. Over more than a decade, KCON has been a vital platform bringing Korean culture to the global stage. It has helped spotlight groups and artists who might have otherwise flown under the radar, cementing its place as a launchpad for K-pop’s explosive worldwide growth and influence! Here is to many more years of KCON.
14. Cover Stages: Paying Tribute
KCON is a melting pot of Korean culture, celebrating the icons who’ve shaped the music scene, and this year’s cover stages honored that legacy. JO1 took on “FEAR” by Seventeen, delivering a rendition with the members featured at the event this year, talk about justice served! Meanwhile, IDID covered “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” by ENHYPEN, showcasing their dance prowess with solo moments that had us hooked.
The tribute continued with IZNA, a survival show group, paying homage to fellow survival group IZONE with “Fiesta”, stirring nostalgia among longtime fans. And MEOVV closed out the cover segment with a special stage of “Abracadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls, an iconic track that got both older and newer generation fans on their feet, because this song is that rich. Overall, these cover stages were a reminder of K-pop’s rich history and the new waves carrying the torch.
15. Soloist Takeover: Stars Stealing the Spotlight
While groups ruled the stage, many soloists also took over our attention with unforgettable performances that filled the venue, even when they were the only ones on stage.
Yuqi brought cool girl vibes with her unique charisma and tracks, while Jackson Wang had fans going wild as he owned the stage.
Returning after seven years, Roy Kim got the crowd hooked with his one-of-a-kind vocals and heartfelt songs, proving why this was his third time gracing the KCON LA stage. Later, he was joined by Kim Taerae from ZEROBASEONE for a heartwarming and vocal-heavy performance of “Everglow” originally by Coldplay.
The authentic Lee Youngji delivered a fun, genuine performance, and Hwasa brought sexy, confident vibes, honoring her Mamamoo roots with a medley that felt like a reunion. And of course, Key closed with royalty-level charisma, reminding everyone why he’s a legend in the scene.
BONUS: RIIZE’s Full Circle Moment
The Knockturnal couldn’t narrow it down to just 15 unforgettable moments… so here’s a bonus one!
RIIZE’s journey came full circle at KCON LA 2025. After their U.S. debut at the 2023 pre-show, where they performed before their official debut and deserved a main stage spotlight, they finally took center stage as a main act this year. The LA crowd embraced them, fueling a hot, fun, and electrifying performance. From “Bad Bag Back” to “Boom Boom Bass”, their energy ‘flew high.’ RIIZE proved they’ve truly risen… get it!
With the K-pop scene growing bigger every year and the U.S. audience following passionately through activations like KCON, we can’t wait to see what next year’s celebration has in store. Here’s to 13 incredible years of KCON, and many more to come!
Photos Courtesy: CJ ENM
