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KCON LA 2026 is officially in the books—and if there was one thing this year’s festival made crystal clear, it’s that K-pop has never looked bigger in Los Angeles. NCT 127 performs at KCON LA 2026 (CJ ENM) Held August 14–16 across the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, KCON LA brought together heavyweight acts, rising rookies, global artists and some seriously unexpected collaborations under its “Walk in SOUL CITY” theme. And while there were way too many unforgettable stages to count, a handful stood out as performances fans will be talking about long after the KCON banners come down. Here are our picks for the 10 best KCON LA 2026 performances of the weekend. 1. NCT 127 Proved Exactly Why They're Headliners Friday night belonged to NCT 127. The group opened KCON LA's headline era with an expanded performance, bringing the kind of veteran confidence that comes from years of owning massive stages. This year's format gave headliners more room to perform, with KCON introducing longer headline sets rather than limiting its biggest acts to just a few songs. And NCT 127 absolutely took advantage of it. From the choreography to the live energy, the group reminded everyone why they're one of K-pop's most reliable live performers. Verdict: Veteran power. Zero wasted movement. 2. ZEROBASEONE Turned Saturday Into a ZB1 Party If Friday was NCT 127's night, Saturday belonged to ZEROBASEONE. The group headlined the second night of the M COUNTDOWN concert, and fans were clearly ready for it. The five-member lineup—Kim Jiwoong, Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae and Park Gunwook—also made this KCON appearance particularly significant. Fan reactions were emphatic, with attendees describing ZB1's set as one of the night's biggest highlights. And honestly? The crowd said it all. ZEROBASEONE didn't simply perform at KCON LA. They owned Saturday night. 3. Yeonjun Was Operating on a Completely Different Frequency There are performances where an idol looks good. Then there's Yeonjun. The TXT star's solo appearance on Saturday quickly became one of the weekend's most talked-about stages, with fans online praising his stage presence and ability to command attention even while surrounded by an enormous festival lineup. One live discussion reaction simply summed it up: “yeonjun literally owned the stage.” That's pretty much the review. Yeonjun continues to prove that he's one of the most naturally magnetic performers of his generation. 4. ILLIT Quietly Stole the Show ILLIT may not have had the longest set of the weekend, but they made every second count. Fans attending the festival highlighted the group's stage presence, particularly praising the balance between their more restrained choreography and bursts of energy. Their KCON appearance also generated plenty of fan buzz online, with one attendee calling ILLIT's performance the highlight of their summer. That's a pretty strong endorsement. ILLIT's performance demonstrated that you don't need a giant production or hour-long set to leave an impression. 5. P1Harmony Brought the Crowd to Life P1Harmony had one of those sets where you could practically feel the audience energy through the screen. Fans on-site were particularly surprised by how strongly the Los Angeles crowd responded to the group. Despite getting a shorter performance slot, P1Harmony reportedly generated one of Saturday's strongest audience reactions. And that says something about the group's growing live reputation. Give P1Harmony an arena and a little more time next time, please. 6. &TEAM Delivered One of the Weekend's Best Performances &TEAM came into KCON LA with something to prove—and left with plenty of new fans. Their performance of “Deer Hunter” showcased the group's razor-sharp choreography, while K reportedly became a major focal point when he removed his glasses and launched into the choreography with the rest of the members. The result? One tightly synchronized performance that made the group look like a single unit. For anyone who wasn't already following &TEAM, KCON LA may have been the perfect introduction. 7. The &TEAM + SANTOS BRAVOS BTS Tribute Was Pure KCON This might have been the most KCON moment of the entire weekend. Santos Bravos and &TEAM joined forces for a BTS tribute that connected different parts of HYBE's increasingly global musical universe. The artists performed BTS-related material before coming together for “Permission to Dance.” It wasn't just a cover stage. It was a statement about how K-pop's influence has expanded across Korea, Japan, Latin America and the U.S. And seeing the different acts share one stage? Absolutely made for the viral clips. 8. Wanna One's Return Was an Emotional Time Machine Some KCON performances are exciting. Others are historic. Wanna One's KCON LA appearance carried nine years of nostalgia, marking the group's return to KCON after a lengthy absence. For longtime fans, this wasn't simply another festival stage. It was a reunion. And watching fans who grew up with Wanna One experience that moment alongside a newer generation of K-pop fans made the performance feel even more significant. Nostalgia won this round. [Random] KATSEYE - 3rd EP [WILD] Dojeon Media X Olive Young Exclusive! 9. TREASURE Came to Work TREASURE had an especially brutal schedule surrounding KCON LA, but you wouldn't know it from their performance. Fan reactions praised the group for maintaining their energy while also interacting heavily with the Los Angeles crowd. That's what makes TREASURE such a natural festival act. They don't just perform at an audience. They perform with it. And LA clearly ate it up. 10. The Taeyong × Anderson .Paak Moment Was Exactly What KCON Needed One of the weekend's most intriguing collaborations was the pairing of NCT's Taeyong with Anderson .Paak. The two were announced for a special performance of “Rock Solid,” bringing together K-pop and American hip-hop/funk in a way that perfectly captured KCON's increasingly global identity. It was also emblematic of this year's lineup, which deliberately stretched beyond traditional K-pop boundaries to include artists from different genres and markets. Unexpected? Yes. Random? Not at all. This is exactly the kind of crossover KCON should be doing more of. And Then TXT Closed the Weekend Of course, we can't talk about KCON LA 2026 without mentioning the final-night headliner. TOMORROW X TOGETHER. TXT closed out the festival on Sunday, bringing the three-day celebration to its final major performance. The group shared the final-night lineup with acts including JO1, MEOVV and ALLDAY PROJECT. After NCT 127 and ZEROBASEONE had already set the bar ridiculously high, TXT had the unenviable job of bringing the entire weekend home. And that's exactly why their performance felt like the perfect finale: a major fourth-generation group closing one of America's biggest K-pop stages. KCON LA 2026's Biggest Winner? K-Pop's Global Future The most interesting thing about this year's KCON wasn't necessarily which group had the best choreography or the loudest fan chant. It was the mix of artists. NCT 127, TXT and ZEROBASEONE represented the K-pop powerhouse. Wanna One brought nostalgia. ILLIT, MEOVV, izna and ALPHA DRIVE ONE represented the next wave. JO1 and &TEAM highlighted K-pop's increasingly international ecosystem. Santos Bravos brought Latin America into the conversation. And collaborations with artists like Anderson .Paak showed that KCON is becoming less about putting Korean artists on an American stage—and more about building a genuinely global pop festival. That's what made KCON LA 2026 feel different. The performances weren't simply competing for attention. They were telling a much bigger story about where Korean pop culture is headed next. And if these stages are any indication, the future is looking very, very loud. 🔥 What was YOUR KCON LA 2026 performance of the weekend? NCT 127? ZEROBASEONE? TXT? Yeonjun? ILLIT? P1Harmony? Wanna One? Or did one of the surprise stages steal your heart? Sound off in the comments—because KCON fans are definitely not going to agree on this one. #KCONLA2026 #KCONLA #KCON

Flying 5,500 miles from Incheon to London Heathrow — here is Dojeon Media's team member, Lewis' honest take on the food, comfort, and service. Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper I have flown Korean Air twice before; however, that was a few years ago. Since Korean Air was voted one of the best airlines in recent years, and because I had previously flown with them, I was curious to see if they lived up to their reputation, so I boarded an almost 14-hour flight from Incheon to London Heathrow. Price Comparisons Despite being at a higher price point than the new Virgin Atlantic flight operating the same route between Incheon and London Heathrow—because I flew from Daegu with a connecting flight in Incheon on both legs of my trip—flying with Korean Air made much more sense. If you are flying between Korea and the UK, there are airlines at a lower price point, although they do involve layovers rather than the direct route that Korean Air offered. This direct route made the journey worthwhile, especially when it came to having a lot of luggage, as it was checked in at Daegu and not collected again until I arrived in London. Economy Seats & Comfort Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper The economy seat offered a great amount of legroom and enough pitch to keep my legs from feeling cramped during the long journey. What I really loved was the adjustable headrest and solid cushion support, which made catching a few hours of sleep remarkably easy. Not to mention the small touches, like the blanket, slippers, bottle of water, and plug-in headphones, which allowed me to watch movies. The 3-3 configuration was used throughout economy class, while right at the back there were two rows in a 2-2 configuration, which I selected on my return flight. Despite the long journey to London, the flight felt surprisingly relaxing and easy on the body. Thoughtful cabin temperature control and well-maintained amenities made settling in for the long haul completely stress-free, and it is one that I would recommend. Service Compared to Middle Eastern airlines, I was not expecting too much in terms of service from Korean Air. However, the cabin crew on both my outward and return journeys delivered warm, seamless service throughout the entire flight. Every request I made was met with a genuine smile, which made the long-haul flight feel much more premium than my economy class seat would suggest. Entertainment Setback Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper This is what set Korean Air back, despite their service and value for money. Most other long-haul airlines have hundreds of movies and TV shows to choose from; however, Korean Air only offered a handful of films and TV shows to watch. Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper Despite this, the seatback screen featured different genres of movies and TV shows in multiple languages, and real-time flight tracking, which I used to keep myself occupied. There was also the option to purchase inflight Wi-Fi under a number of bundles. I opted for the USD 6 package, which offered messaging for the full flight. You could also opt for the USD 21 package, which included the option to send photos and watch YouTube. The internet was fast and appeared to be in real time, which was amazing! Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper Food and Meal Service The meal service was also a highlight, as all of the meals I had were of good quality and offered a varied selection. As I checked in on the mobile app before taking my flights, I was able to view the menu for my trip. On the way to the UK, I opted for the beef stew, and on my return flight, I chose the beef goulash, despite their famous bibimbap also being an option. All of the meals I had tasted remarkably fresh, even at 35,000 feet. Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper If that was not enough, there were also plenty of snacks at the back of the plane, ranging from soft drinks and juices to alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. Throughout both flights, tubs of Pringles, chocolate pies, and even a selection of sandwiches were offered. Every side dish and snack served throughout the long-haul flight was thoughtfully prepared and genuinely delicious. Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper Final Thoughts At the end of the day, Korean Air more than lives up to its solid reputation for long-haul travel. Being the nation's national flag carrier made my recent trip much more memorable and enjoyable. Thanks to the mix of legroom, delicious inflight meals, and top-tier service, Korean Air has now become a smooth, reliable, and comfortable airline to fly with. Korean Air - Incheon - London Heathrow (return) - Lewis Hooper Have you flown with Korean Air? If so, then we would love to hear about your experience in the comments below. #KoreanAir #ICNtoLHR #FlightReview #IncheonToLondon #Aviation #TravelVlog

Ha Young in Our Sticky Love amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her family history (Netflix) Ha Young was having one of the biggest moments of her career. After gaining attention through The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call and Teach You a Lesson, the actress landed her first major leading role alongside Jung Hae-in in Netflix's Our Sticky Love. But just days after the drama's premiere, Ha Young became the center of a serious controversy in South Korea over her great-grandfather's history during Japan's colonial rule of Korea. The timing has made the situation even more sensitive, with the controversy unfolding just before August 15, Korea's National Liberation Day. While Ha Young herself has not been accused of any wrongdoing, the backlash has already affected her promotions and raised wider questions about family history, historical responsibility and celebrity culture in Korea. Ha Young Stills From The Trauma Code, Teach You A Lesson, and Our Sticky Love (Netflix) How Did the Ha Young Controversy Start? The controversy began after Ha Young appeared on the KBS2 variety show Problem Child in House on August 7. During the appearance, she spoke proudly about her family's medical background. She said that her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan before opening a Western-style clinic in Hanyang, the former name for Seoul. She also mentioned that she had heard he treated Emperor Gojong. Viewers subsequently identified her great-grandfather as Dr. Ahn Sang-ho, a doctor who worked during the Japanese colonial period. Historical records then resurfaced showing Ahn Sang-ho as a member of the Daejeong Friendship Association in 1916, an organization associated with pro-Japanese activities and assimilation efforts during the colonial period. This quickly turned Ha Young's comments about her family into a much larger public controversy. Ha Young appeared on the KBS2 variety show Problem Child in House (KBS2) Why Is the Issue So Sensitive in Korea? The backlash needs to be understood in the context of Korea's colonial history. Japan ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945, and questions surrounding people who collaborated with the colonial government remain extremely sensitive. The controversy involving Ha Young emerged only days before Liberation Day on August 15, which commemorates Korea's liberation from Japanese rule. However, there is an important distinction: the controversy concerns Ha Young's great-grandfather and her comments about him, not an allegation that Ha Young herself participated in pro-Japanese activities. The debate has therefore also raised questions about whether descendants should be held responsible for their ancestors' actions and how public figures should discuss complicated family histories. Ha Young and Her Agency Have Apologized The situation became more complicated after Ha Young's agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially described the allegations about her great-grandfather as unfounded. The agency later investigated the historical records and acknowledged that Ahn Sang-ho's name appeared in the 1916 membership record. It apologized for making its first statement without properly verifying the information. Ha Young then issued her own handwritten apology on social media on August 12. She said she had known only her great-grandfather's story through family accounts and admitted that she had spoken of him with pride without knowing the full historical record. She said she was reflecting seriously on the history and apologised as his descendant. The controversy has already affected her career. Promotional activities connected to Our Sticky Love have been cancelled or changed, including a planned August 14 cast roundtable. Meanwhile, Our Sticky Love Is Trending Globally The controversy comes at an especially unfortunate time for Ha Young because Our Sticky Love marks an important step in her career. The Netflix romantic comedy stars Ha Young as Go Eun-sae and Jung Hae-in as Jang Tae-ha. Eun-sae is an elite prosecutor who loses her memory after an accident while investigating a criminal organization. She wakes up in the countryside, where Tae-ha claims to be her boyfriend even though she has no memory of him. Their unusual relationship becomes the centre of the story as Eun-sae slowly begins uncovering the truth about her past. Our Sticky Love (Netflix) The drama premiered globally on Netflix on August 7 and has been gaining attention internationally for its unusual combination of romance, comedy, amnesia and crime. Ha Young's performance has also received attention from viewers discovering her for the first time. Ha Young is facing intense scrutiny in South Korea while her latest drama continues to attract international viewers. Final Thoughts The Ha Young controversy is more complicated than simply calling it a celebrity cancellation. It involves a painful period of Korean history, questions about how family history is remembered, and the difficult line between an individual's responsibility and that of their ancestors. Ha Young has acknowledged that she did not know the full history of her great-grandfather and has publicly apologized, while her agency has also corrected its earlier statement. At the same time, Our Sticky Love continues its global run, meaning many international viewers are discovering Ha Young through her acting while the controversy surrounding her family history unfolds in Korea. What do you think about the controversy surrounding Ha Young? Should celebrities be held responsible for how they discuss their ancestors, or should the focus remain solely on the actions of the people who lived through that period? #OurStickyLove