LOS ANGELES, CA – August 24, 2012 – KCON, the first-ever large scale convention dedicated to the hottest entertainment coming out of Asia including K-pop music, Korean dramas (K-dramas) and movies, announced today the initial line-up for the star-studded concert scheduled to cap off the full day convention. 4Minute and VIXX are already confirmed with more acts to be announced in the coming days. Hyuna, from the 5 member girl group 4Minute, recently guest starred alongside PSY in his viral hit “Gangnam Style” videos, which have an amassed over 65 million hits this summer on YouTube. Tickets, starting as low as $40, go on sale today at 9 p.m. PST.
The event will be produced by Mnet, a youth entertainment brand for all things Asian cool, which includes the only national, English-language lifestyle television network in the U.S. for fans of Asian pop culture. Panels and workshops looking deep inside the Korean Wave will fill the day. From the music and the fashion to Korean cinema, YouTube celebrities and a cosplay contest, every aspect of Hallyu will have a home at KCON.
“As the Korean wave spreads across the globe, and touches down in the States, it is so important that we provide fans with an interactive experience with their idols,” said Ted Kim, acting president & CEO of Mnet. “KCON is an event that is long overdue and Mnet is committed to creating a positive fan experience by making it affordable and giving unprecedented access to the stars.”
KCON is set to take place on October 13 at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, CA. In addition to affordable $40 tickets, a VIP package for $100 is available, and includes a ticket in the concert pit, exclusive pre-show access and additional access. All tickets include admission to the concert and the entire convention programming slate. For more information about how to purchase tickets, please visitwww.kconusa.com.
“Hallyu has fans around the world buzzing and the signs of this craze reaching the U.S. can be seen all around us,” added Mr. Kim. “From K-pop sensation 2NE1’s reality show airing in the U.S. on Mnet to Internet rumors that Paris Hilton will be in Kim Jang Hoon’s next video; from PSY’s incredible rise to stardom including a recent performance at Dodgers Stadium, and Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre performing at the MAMA music awards in front of two billion worldwide viewers, it is no longer possible to avoid this trend. KCON is the next logical step.”
Other signs of K-pop’s break into the mainstream include:
· Girls Generation performed on The Late Show with David Letterman and Live with Kelly, and was part of a sold-out K-pop show at Madison Square Garden
· 2NE1 recently recorded tracks for its new album with will.i.am
· GRAMMY-nominated Akon is featured on “Just Money,” the new single from Wonder Girls (who includes opening for the Jonas Brothers on its resume)
· Billboard’s launch of the K-pop Hot 100 to their weekly publication
With online being the biggest tool for fans to stay connected with their favorite K-pop stars, YouTube has reported that K-pop video clips were viewed nearly 2.3 billion times in 235 countries in 2011. That number is three times more than was reported in 2010 and shows no signs of stopping.