Music

K-Pop Superfans Flock to Los Angeles for KCON LA 2023

Published

11 months ago

2023-08-23

K-Pop Superfans Flock to Los Angeles for KCON LA 2023

Thousands of K-Pop fans waited up in downtown Los Angeles hours before the doors opened, stretching for blocks in the hot sun for KCON LA 2023. K-Pop fans danced and traded homemade stickers, banners, bracelets, and photocards while wearing pleated skirts and platform shoes and carrying the transparent bags that have become stadium standards. Inside was their paradise: an IRL space where they could talk about their URL obsessions.

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“In those (11) years, we’ve welcomed something like half a million people from all over the world,” he explains.The music industry will encounter new issues in 2023, including what Mark Mulligan, a MIDiA Research music industry analyst, has dubbed the “fragmentation of fandom.”Notably, these concerts prioritised K-pop girl groups, reflecting a recent shift in listenership. Boy bands were supposed to be more profitable in the past, but girl groups like IVE, ITZY, NMIXX, Kep1er, (G)I-DLE, and EVERGLOW proved that was outdated thinking in their spectacular KCON sets.

If anything, the 2023 LA KCON was a microcosm of K-pop’s overall impact on the music business.

From Friday to Sunday, an estimated 140,000 people from all over the world attended panels, premium meet-and-greets, interviews, dance breaks, concerts, and more at the Los Angeles Convention Centre and adjacent Crypto.com Arena.

Inside the convention centre, fans brandished light-sticks of their favourite groups, flaunted DIY shirts with simple, direct inscriptions like “I HEART MINGI,” gathered sticker books and K-beauty products and waited in line for tteokbokki.

According to Steve Chung, chief worldwide officer of organisers CJ ENM, KCON began 11 years ago in Irvine, California, gathering 10,000 people to its maiden celebration of Korean culture. It is now a global event taking place in several countries: KCON has already visited Thailand, Japan, and the United States in 2023.

“In those (11) years, we’ve welcomed something like half a million people from all over the world,” he explains.

Panels on K-pop songwriting and cup sleeve creations were held in Los Angeles (K-pop fan gatherings are hosted at cafes on an idol’s birthday, anniversary, or other important date). On one stage, up-and-coming groups such as NMIXX led dance courses, while another stage allowed rookie groups to introduce themselves to a larger audience.

The Associated Press met with a wide range of fans during the weekend, including some who drove 12 hours straight from Utah, flew in from the United Kingdom, and were of various ages, genders, colours, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

“The culture of inclusiveness is huge,” said Annya Holston, 40, of Florida, who discovered K-pop through her daughter. “Being here has allowed us to make so many new friends.”

Premium tickets were $500 per day and included access to a “Red Carpet” area where acts posed for photographs and answered two or three questions in a 30-minute window, as well as admission to the conference and concert. Fans may spend an extra $100 for “Hi-Touch” — a fast meet-and-greet in which fans and performers high-five — with one group of their choice. With fresh fears about the spread of COVID-19, “Hi-Touch” became “Hi-Wave” (exactly what it sounds like, much to the sorrow of a few fans wishing for that physical connection; others were content with the sheer proximity).

Those encounters provided as a nice reminder of a component of the music industry that K-pop understands incredibly well, and much better than most: fanbase is the most profitable and durable resource in this business.
On Friday, August 18, 2023, fans attend KCON at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo

Peyton Tran, a 17-year-old dancer from Los Angeles, told AP at KCON, “It’s just cool to see how much people can support these businesses out here.”

The music industry will encounter new issues in 2023, including what Mark Mulligan, a MIDiA Research music industry analyst, has dubbed the “fragmentation of fandom.”

New musicians face unprecedented competition as a result of algorithmic listening, which is a direct result of the streaming era.

Consider this: It is uncommon for a new act to ascend to the status of monolithic pop star — the ranks of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Harry Styles, all of whom began performing prior to streaming — because listenership is hyper-specific.

In K-pop, where companies are typically fully integrated institutions — a record label and a talent agency rolled into one — and hyper-consumption is encouraged, business focuses on cultivating a community of superfans and inspiring those devoted listeners to advocate for their favourite artists, fueling a sense of participation that extends beyond their purchasing power. It doesn’t hurt that K-pop fans have a tendency to coordinate worldwide fan movements on their own and construct rituals and events, communicating through specialised fandom sites such as WeVerse and Vlive.

Niche does not imply small; rather, it signifies specialised. KCON is proof of this.

Fans saw K-pop groups and soloists from all “generations” perform at the concerts, which were held all three nights for the first time: Taemin from the second-generation boy band SHINee, Rain — the first K-pop idol to go international, and now a manager himself — fourth-generation boy bands ATEEZ and Stray Kids, and rookie groups like XG and ZEROBASEONE.

XG performed songs like the Kesha-inspired “TGIF,” with production greatly influenced by the current liquid drum-and-bass/U.K. garage movement in global pop music, a welcomed retro-futuristic sound from a group and convention with their sights set on the future.

Notably, these concerts prioritised K-pop girl groups, reflecting a recent shift in listenership. Boy bands were supposed to be more profitable in the past, but girl groups like IVE, ITZY, NMIXX, Kep1er, (G)I-DLE, and EVERGLOW proved that was outdated thinking in their spectacular KCON sets.

The “Dream Stage,” where a few dozen fans who auditioned to perform a dance with a K-pop group earlier in the day were brought out to do just that, was a particularly unique and powerful moment throughout the event.

On the second day of the convention, iHeartRadio’s KIIS-FM established a new, open-to-the-public “K-pop Village,” where K-pop fans could enjoy free performances by newer talents, such as LEO, who made his U.S. debut on the outdoor stage.

“2023 is similar to a crossover event.” “The last ten years have been about serving an endemic fanbase of people who already know and love K-pop,” Chung explains. “As evidenced by the iHeartMedia partnership, it’s really like a crossover moment where K-pop goes mainstream.”

Even Tropical Storm Hilary couldn’t keep the most ardent fans from queuing in the rain to watch their favourite performances on the convention’s last day. On the train the night before, the AP asked a K-pop fan from Massachusetts, known on YouTube as Toadcola, if he was worried about the weather. Not at all.

But if the weather cancelled his trip home, he reasoned that it wouldn’t be so bad because the idols might be stuck at the airport with him.

Celebrity

Will Smith Debuts New Song In Fiery Performance At The BET Awards

Published

3 days ago

2024-07-01

Kiara Grace

Will Smith | CNN Image

Will Smith brought flames and faith to the BET Awards stage on Sunday.

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Will Smith Debuts New Song In Fiery Performance At The BET Awards Will Smith Debuts New Song In Fiery Performance At The BET Awards

Smith returns to his musical origins with the release of his new single, “You Can Make It.” In the gospel-inspired tune, Smith, accompanied by Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, raps about perseverance.

Will Smith | CNN Image

Will Smith Debuts New Song In Fiery Performance At The BET Awards

“The darker the hell you gotta endure / The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy / The harder the fall, the higher you soar,” Smith rapped as spectacular fire engulfed the stage. His words, a testament to his resilience, echoed through the audience, inspiring them. “God opens a window when the devil closes the door / Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith / In the rearview, I see adversity was the gift / To lift me higher gifts requires faith.”

Smith’s performance at the BET Awards follows his surprising Coachella cameo in April when he appeared during J Balvin’s set for a boisterous rendition of his track “Men In Black,” which was first released in conjunction with his smash 1997 film of the same name.

The “Independence Day” star’s new song is his first solo material in nearly five years, a fact that has his fans buzzing with excitement. It marks his first significant release since 2005’s “Lost and Found” album, making it a highly anticipated event in the music world.

Smith has recently collaborated with other musicians, such as Bad Bunny and Marc Anthony. In 2017, he released the EDM single “Get Lit” and the track “Light ‘Em Up” with Sean Paul, which are on the soundtrack for his upcoming film, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

Will Smith | EW Image

Will Smith Debuts New Song In Fiery Performance At The BET Awards

Smith is a four-time Grammy winner for rap performance, both solo and as part of a duo/group. His first win came in 1988 for the song “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” which he performed with DJ Jazzy Jeff as the Fresh Prince.

The pair also won for their 1992 single “Summertime.” Smith won back-to-back Grammys for rap performance in 1998 with “Men In Black,” followed by “Gettin’ Jiggy with It” the following year.

SOURCE – CNN

Celebrity

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

Published

1 week ago

2024-06-27

Kiara Grace

Willie Nelson | EW Image

Willie Nelson is set to resume his tour soon after canceling several shows due to “doctor’s orders.”

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Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

Nelson, who turned 91 in April, could not return to the stage on Wednesday night.

Willie Nelson | CNN Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

“Willie Nelson will not be performing at tonight’s show in Virginia Beach,” a posting on Nelson’s social media pages stated. “We expect Willie to return to the tour shortly.”

Nelson postponed his Outlaw Music Festival Tour dates last week due to sickness. His management said in a statement, “We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and has been advised by doctors to rest for the next four days.” He is expected to recuperate quickly and rejoin the tour next week.

Willie Nelson | Country Living Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, together with his band, all performed as planned.

Nelson’s next tour stop is in New York on Friday and Saturday.

Nelson released “The Border” in May and was featured on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album.

Willie Nelson | ABC News Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

He was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year and has played alongside Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews.

SOURCE – (CNN)

Entertainment

Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna

Published

1 week ago

2024-06-26

Kiara Grace

Cyndi Lauper is still going strong.

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Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna

The singer and songwriter has a new documentary, is headlining the Royal Albert Hall in the UK this week, will perform at Glastonbury, and will embark on a farewell tour later this year.

Cyndi Lauper | CNN Image

Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Lauper discussed her route to success and some of the hurdles she has overcome along the way. Her advisors first tried to position her as the next Barbra Streisand.

“Look, you already had a Streisand,” Lauper remembered telling them.

Next, she claimed that they pitted her against Madonna because the two women rose to prominence around the same time.

“As if there could only be one successful lady. “What the hell is that about?” Lauper informed the publication. “That woman has entertained us for years. She’s written excellent pop songs. I want to be competitive, but not against other women. “I’m not into that.”

Lauper claimed her primary goal was the art hence she battled with management.

“It may have been easier for a while, but I wanted to learn.” And, honestly, I’ve always wanted to be a great artist,” she explains.

Lauper’s debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” featured big successes such as “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which she claimed she rewrote lyrically to be more political and “champion female joy.”

Executives labeled it “disposable.”

“It didn’t matter about the suits,” she remarked. “So long as you can get by the gatekeepers, you’re OK.”

In 2022, Lauper founded the Girls Want to Have Fundamental Rights group to advocate for women’s rights and healthcare access.

“We do not have autonomy,” Lauper stated. “We pay the same taxes as any man, but that guy has autonomy while we don’t.” How does that sit with you? How does it feel to have the government in control of your body? It doesn’t feel nice to me. I want to be free and have the same civil liberties as everyone else in my country, and then we can achieve equality. If we aren’t equal, then none of us are because things can always turn against you.”

Cyndi Lauper is still going strong.

Cyndi Lauper | EW Image

Cyndi Lauper Never Wanted To Be Pitted Against Madonna

The singer and songwriter has a new documentary, is headlining the Royal Albert Hall in the UK this week, will perform at Glastonbury, and will embark on a farewell tour later this year.

“Look, you already had a Streisand,” Lauper remembered telling them.

Next, she claimed that they pitted her against Madonna because the two women rose to prominence around the same time.

Lauper claimed her primary goal was the art hence she battled with management.

“It may have been easier for a while, but I wanted to learn.” And, honestly, I’ve always wanted to be a great artist,” she explains.