I am finally home from KCON LA! What an amazing experience and while I am happy to be home, I’m sad that it’s over. I guess that means I will have to make sure I get invited back next year. Were you able to attend? What was your favorite part? Any hardships? Let me know in the comment section below!

While I was on the plane ride home, I got an email from the worker bees at KCON letting me know some exciting news. As you know one of the goals of KCON is to increase the amount of people attending each year. Last year they reached over 50,000 (LA+NY combined) people in attendance. This year they shattered that amount.

courtesy of KCON

Here is the official information:

Los Angeles – August 1, 2016 – KCON 2016 USA presented by Toyota celebrated its 5^th anniversary attracting over 110,000 fans in NY and L.A. to the largest Korean culture convention in the world. This weekend, KCON 2016 LA received more than 76,000 attendees over three days, while last month over 42,000 attended KCON 2016 NY over two days. With KCON now being a worldwide event, also having a presence in Japan, Paris, Abu-dhabi, and more; KCON USA is still the most attended event internationally.

KCON 2016 LA grew both in numbers and programming this year. Pre-registration for the convention doubled from last year, while also selling out both nights of the M COUNTDOWN concerts. This year’s concert featured top K-Pop artists Astro, Block B, BTS, Dean, Eric Nam, F(Amber), Gfriend, Girl’s Generation – TTS, I.O.I, Monsta X, Shinee, and Twice. Special Guests included one of the most popular Korean actor Lee Min Ho, 90’s K-dance group Turbo and pop-ballad duo Davichi.

Programming expanded with three major elements of the convention: K-beauty, K-food and gaming. The Beauty Block featured the most popular Korean cosmetic brands; KCON Food Street became the hottest food destination with over 50 Korean food choices during the weekend; and the Halo Championship Series Pro League Finals attracted gamers into the K-Pop world.

This weekend, KCON 2016 LA was for the first time live streamed through KCON.TV – a new short form video platform and online community that is dedicated to all things Korean entertainment – which made its official launch at this flagship event. On Saturday, the live stream reached more than 40,000 concurrent viewers, with 10,000 new registered users for that one day alone.

So like I said earlier, records were shattered. I am so excited to see what KCON will have in store for us next year. Stay tuned to my social media (@young_ajummah) to be kept up to date with my footage/recaps.