K-Pop is a genre that is rapidly on the rise in America. The Korean Pop craze has expanded so much in the past couple years that there is an entire festival dedicated to it: K-Con. K-Con has been around since 2012 in California. Back then, K-Con was only one day and only attracted 10,000 people. Last year was the first east coast K-Con, and I attended. Yes, I’m an avid k-pop fan and it is something that probably will not be hindered. In 2015, K-Con NY was one day and held 17,000 fans. This year, K-Con NY followed in LA’s footsteps and became two days. In the two days, including both the concert and convention crowds, there was around 40,000 attendees. Which means there was roughly 20,000 per day. Quite a big jump in one year. I have only attended both NY K-Cons and one Big Bang concert, but I can honestly say k-pop never ceases to amaze me and I will give my top three 2016 K-Con NY examples to show you why.
1. Ailee
First of all, Ailee is a Jersey girl. She hails from the Palisades Park, NJ area. That was enough to get me to like her, and then she opened her mouth. She is a pop princess with a, thus far, four-year long singing career. I hadn't listened to her before K-Con, and during the second song of her set, her backing track, for vocals and instrumentals, completely went out. The girl handled it very professionally and kept going until the end of the first chorus, and let me tell you, the girl don’t need a backing track. Honestly, enough said.
2. Day6
It is unheard of to have an actual band in the kpop realm, but that’s exactly what Day6 is. They write and compose all their own music. They burst onto the scene with their debut single “Congratulations,” and their unique pop-rock sound keeps them on the top of the charts. All five members also happen to be amazing vocalists as well as instrumentalists. As a “rookie” group, only debuting in September 2015, their stage presence and performance could be mistaken for a long time group.
3. Bangtan Boys (BTS)
These seven boys were the headliners and the grand finale of the con, and they certainly dished out why they earned that title. They are the top of mainstream k-pop hip hop. Three of the seven members are rappers, the other four being vocalists. Though, they all have talents in singing. What makes BTS stand out, though, is their recent taking to difficult choreography. Lots of fast footwork and transitions. I was prepared to be impressed at K-Con, and they definitely did not disappoint. They move as a single unit and not one of them was out of step or time. I’ll stop praising and let their work speak for itself. Instead of showing you a fancam of K-Con, I decided to link two of their dance practices of their most popular songs. Both of which I’ve watched many, many times.
I’ve only been a k-pop fan since 2013, so I have witnessed the quick rise of it. Korean artists are on American iTunes charts and releasing American albums. I hope to see an even bigger of K-Con NY next year, and I know this genre won’t burn out anytime soon.
