by HASSAN BEYAZ
KCON LA opened its 2025 edition with a bang — and not the predictable, industry-choreographed kind. Day 1 was full of texture: veterans flexing, rookies risking it all, and moments that reminded you just how surreal it is that K-pop is doing this — and doing it this loudly — in the middle of downtown LA.
The pre-showcase was a scene of early grit and ambition. Solo act Kik5o stood out not just for her sound but for her story — an artist once told to give up on her dreams, now commanding a stage with “Pretty Revenge” and getting a roar from the crowd with a simple, spine-tingling revelation: “Look at me now.” Rising hip-hop rookies 82MAJOR followed with aggressive precision, pairing the throb of “TAKEOVER” with the vocal bite of “Choke” — a reminder that even the up-and-comers are already primed for arena-sized spectacles.
Then, an unexpected detour: Byung-hun Lee made a surprise appearance referencing his role in KPop Demon Hunters. It was a clever moment, but also a meta one: Korean culture has truly become an ecosystem, spilling across mediums, genres, and borders. When a global screen icon shows up to a K-pop convention to talk about culture’s reach, it’s not just fan service — it’s a statement.
NCT 127 kicked off the night’s main concert with “Kick It,” instantly snapping the crowd to attention with their usual blend of tightly-knit choreography and sheer volume. Their presence was undeniable — and also, cleverly, a marker of scale. Because what followed was a dive head-first into the deep end of the next generation.
Baby Don’t Cry, NOWZ, and IS:SUE — three groups still finding their international feet — brought energy, ambition, and, in moments, real surprise. These sets felt like a rite of passage, the kind of moment that can only happen at KCON where rookies transition from screen to stage and see, for the first time, just how loud American fans can get.
In an unexpected moment, the return of NCT’s MARK for a solo set was a pivot and a power move. His three-song solo stage proved just how far he’s come as a standalone performer, but it was the arrival of bandmate HAECHAN for “+82 Pressin” that tipped the moment into something electric. There was tension, swagger, and a sense of shared history in their performance — not just two members sharing a track, but two artists carving out new dimensions in real time.
<h3>"In an unexpected moment, the return of NCT’s MARK for a solo set was a pivot and a power move."</h3> <div> </div>
Then came Lee Young Ji, and with her, a welcome injection of chaos. With “Small girl” and “TELL ME,” she reminded everyone why she’s one of Korea’s most magnetic solo forces: equal parts comedian, threat, and emotional anchor. She’s the kind of artist who can make you laugh and tear up in the same breath — which, frankly, makes her perfect for this kind of night.
And just as the crowd settled, P1Harmony exploded from the aisles. Quite literally. Starting “Street Star” offstage and storming through the arena like they owned it, the group delivered one of the most audience-hungry sets of the night. Their latest hits “Pretty Boy” and “DUH” hit even harder live and, ahead of their upcoming world tour, it’s never been clearer that P1Harmony are stepping into their main character arc.
The night also made space for special stages — not filler, but fan love in high definition. izna’s “GOLDEN” performance was elegant and sharp, capitalizing on the ever-growing dominance of the Kpop Demon Hunters hit, while NOWZ’s recreation of Stray Kids’ iconic “Maniac” stage from KCON 2022 bordered on performance art: an act of homage that managed to capture the magic of the original, while allowing NOWZ to make their mark as a rookie group on the rise.
<h3>With “Small girl” and “TELL ME,” she reminded everyone why she’s one of Korea’s most magnetic solo forces: equal parts comedian, threat, and emotional anchor.</h3>
ZEROBASEONE delivered what might’ve been the night’s cleanest, most cohesive set. Their four-song run — “BLUE,” “Feel the Pop,” “Doctor! Doctor!,” and “GOOD SO BAD” — was a crash course in why they’ve risen so quickly through the ranks. Their smoother, more melodic sound offered a refreshing contrast to the harder-hitting energy of earlier acts, carving out a lane entirely their own.
IVE followed with an effortlessly chic set — “Rebel Heart,” “I AM,” “TKO,” and “Attitude” — gliding across the stage with that now-signature IVE blend of elegance and bite. It was sleek and polished, and the kind of set that only makes sense when you’ve spent the last few years dominating every chart that matters.
Hanbin of ZB1 delivered one of the night’s most gasp-worthy moments. Known for his waacking and voguing skills, he unleashed both during a surprise special stage with Lee Young Ji, who stormed back onstage to match him move for move — transforming the moment into a full-blown performance all its own.
To close, NCT 127 returned with “Whiplash,” “Lemonade,” “Walk,” “2 Baddies,” and “Fact Check,” finishing the night with muscle, heat, and pure noise. At this point, they could do a set blindfolded and still pull screams from the floorboards — but what was striking was how present they were. No coasting; a group at the top of their game, still hungry.
Across it all, MCs Matthew and Hanbin (ZB1) stitched the night together with warmth and ease, flipping between playful banter and sincere connection. Every ending fairy shot drew massive cheers, and the rotating camera feeds felt less like idol gazing and more like communion — a shared language between fans and performers, moment by moment.
Day 1 proved what KCON does best when it’s firing on all cylinders: a cross-section of where K-pop is now. A tightrope walk between generations. A glorious celebration of art in motion.
Day 1 proved what KCON does best when it’s firing on all cylinders: a cross-section of where K-pop is now. A tightrope walk between generations. A glorious celebration of art in motion.
