K-Pop fans are slamming KCON USA over what they consider “unprofessional” practices.
Besides the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, KCON has taken place in the United States each year since 2012 and has expanded to many other countries since. KCON gathers popular and rising music acts and, over a few days, holds concerts and fan meetings during a convention.
This year, KCON LA changed from previous years, first announcing that it would now take place in July rather than August.
Initially, this was a welcomed change, as KCON would likely conflict with other festivals like Head In The Clouds LA, as in previous years, and the upcoming WATERBOMB LA event.
However, this changed as the announced dates of July 26-28 approached, and there was no word on ticketing or the line-up. May 31 brought the first information about ticketing, announcing the ability to purchase pre-sale access.
The first and only line-up hint was given on June 2, revealing that at least 25 artists would be attending. Presale access went on sale shortly after. The first official lineup was shared the same day, with a second coming just one day before presales began.
[#KCONLA2024] 2nd LINEUP
💙 #APOKI #BIBI #BOYNEXTDOOR #DRIPPIN #god #INI #JEONSOMI #JOYURI #Kep1er #ME_I #POW #STAYC #TWS …and more! 💚
*𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘭… pic.twitter.com/Pji0adUshr
— KCON USA (@kconusa) June 6, 2024
With the second line-up including the phrase “and more,” many waited to see the next announced artists. However, no more artists were announced before presales took place.
Based on the hints given, many fans assumed that NCT 127 would be among the artists announced for the festival, with some fans reporting that they had received push messages from the Mnet+ app confirming this. NCT‘s Haechan later confirmed the group’s attendance during a video call with a fan.
Seems like NCT 127 may really be attending KCON LA 2024? This MNET ad says:
“[KCON LA 2024] Artist Lineup Reveal
Do you like NCT 127? 💗 I’ll let you know the quick and convenient method to meet your fave at KCON ✅️” pic.twitter.com/ZjZVHXG5m9— 링 (@NCTDAOYlNG) June 7, 2024
240608 헬로라이브 hellolive 영통 fansign#해찬 #HAECHAN
haechan confirming going to kcon and him laughing that i cant go😭😭BOOO https://t.co/0gt3ddxHbw pic.twitter.com/o49qHMm6Bd
— jenelle ʚ♡ɞ (@haechiesbear) June 8, 2024
In an article by Forbes, the media outlet mentioned that KCON was expecting to release more artists in the coming weeks, including one major K-Pop act. With the festival less than two months away, fans have been left upset by the short notice given, and the implication that even shorter notice will be given for other acts.
Many are angry that sales took place without the full line-up being available.
The Forbes article on KCON really got me stressed lol pic.twitter.com/RrpI6vPaID
— 🐰 LindDy²⁶ (ᓀ‸ᓂ) 🍀 (@do0tuzi) June 7, 2024
To make matters worse for fans, an issue with the Meet and Greet passes has left many feeling scammed.
On June 7, presales took place for both the concert tickets and meet and greet experiences. Like last year, KCON’s meet and greets include a mini-fan meeting and the chance to have a “hi-wave” up close with the specified artists.
behind glass 🥲 but finally got to see ive in person~ #KCONLA2023#IVE pic.twitter.com/LVFPiHMUCj
— bloop (@minju) August 18, 2023
Presales for the meet and greets began at 6 PM PDT, with many expressing excitement over successfully securing their passes. However, around five hours later, many began receiving notifications that their ZEROBASEONE meet and greet would be refunded due to overselling.
AXS canceled my ZB1 m&g 😰😰 #kconla #kcon2024 #kcon pic.twitter.com/6rEF70Iq6B
— Kojaky (@kojaky) June 8, 2024
As part of the presale access, fans were able to purchase one ticket and one meet and greet with their codes, which were not usable after this refund occurred. The package that included this presale code was 85 USD, and many are demanding refunds following this mistake.
you have people paying $ 85 for a kcon presale. then they get the zb1 m&g they want and think they’re all good and they’re happy just for you to refund them and say they no longer have it? @kconusa @KCON_official your service looks so unreliable now with the way it’s being handled
— zb1 roty ☾ kep1er is 9 (@giddymatthew) June 8, 2024
ummm @axs @kconusa are yall going to make it up to all the people you just left devastated due to your inability to count? “we sold to many so too bad were taking your ticket away” is actually sick and yall should be so embarrassed
— zack ★ missing CIX (@byulinx) June 8, 2024
you have people paying $ 85 for a kcon presale. then they get the zb1 m&g they want and think they’re all good and they’re happy just for you to refund them and say they no longer have it? @kconusa @KCON_official your service looks so unreliable now with the way it’s being handled
— zb1 roty ☾ kep1er is 9 (@giddymatthew) June 8, 2024
From today’s date, June 8, there are about 48 days until day one of KCON begins and hopefully things will go more smoothly for those hoping to attend.
