KCON LA 2026 showcases K-culture with 2.35 million cumulative attendees

A global festival site showcasing the diverse facets of Korean culture beyond just K-pop has been revealed. JTBC's 'Talk Pa One 25 O'Clock' recently released a preview video on its official channel capturing scenes from the convention center where KCON LA 2026 is currently underway.

A K-festival held in 14 regions worldwide with 2.35 million cumulative attendees

According to the video description and remarks from the cast, KCON is a K-festival that has been held in 14 regions across the globe—including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas—since 2012. The event has grown to a massive scale, with approximately 2.35 million cumulative offline attendees and tens of millions of global fans participating via digital platforms. The video notes that K-pop artists are also looking forward to performing on this stage immensely.

Recalling past experiences of performing and meeting fans, the cast noted the intense energy of the venue, stating, "There were many moments where we actually felt choked up while performing," as they watched fans of all ages enthusiastically cheer for K-pop. Additionally, the cast highlighted that this year is even more meaningful as the event expands beyond K-pop to encompass various K-lifestyle elements like K-beauty and K-food.

K-lifestyle expands from K-pop to K-beauty and K-food

KCON LA 2026 is characterized by its expansion beyond a K-pop-centered lineup, allowing attendees to experience various K-lifestyles, such as K-beauty and K-food, all in one place. In the video, the cast described the atmosphere as feeling like they had suddenly teleported to the heart of Seoul, noting that the convention center felt as if it were filled with Korean signboards.

The high level of brand recognition was evident, as the cast members easily identified many of the familiar brands participating at the site. Furthermore, special programs are being hosted at dedicated K-content booths. The video captures the energetic atmosphere of the venue, showcasing various content and artist appearances, with particular praise for the presence and fan service of artists such as izna.