Angelenos have shown their strong enthusiasm for all things Korean at a recent pair of events held in downtown Los Angeles.

The first leg of the annual KCON festival took place at the Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 31 to Aug. 2. KCON 2015, the festival's fourth iteration, showed various aspects of modern Korean society, featuring not only pop music but also cuisine, soap opera, film and cosmetics.



The M Countdown concert, one of many highlights at KCON 2015, took place at the Staples Center on Aug. 1 and 2. It featured the groups Super Junior, Sistar, GOT7, Roy Kim, Monster X, Shinhwa, Block B, AOA, Red Velvet and Zion. T & Crush, putting on their best show for the K-pop fans. Spectators at the series of sold-out concerts sang along with their stars on stage.

Over 120 booths were set up at the Los Angeles Convention Center and a large crowd flocked to the center starting early in the morning. As part of a Korean cooking class, many visitors tried their hand at making their own bibimbap, a dish of assorted vegetables and rice, and were able to sample a range of Korean cuisine.





Many visitors to the Los Angeles Convention Center were in their teens or 20s and they looked around the Korean cosmetic and fashion items on display there. The booth set up showing the cable TV program "Get It Beauty" was crowded with many visitors trying to take a peek at the makeup show.

Nearby, people dressed in clothes bearing the image of their favorite pop star took part in a dance competition. Even the spectators danced, as they circled around a round stage and songs and music filled the air. There were workshops and fan meet-ups on the second floor. Korean soap opera and film screenings were also quite popular with visitors to the convention center.


Over 120 small- and medium-sized enterprises also took part in KCON 2015 and had on display and sold their products and technologies. A variety of beauty and fashion merchandise, among other items, was featured and visitors were able to experience the products first-hand.


After the show in Los Angeles, KCON 2015 will travel to New York from Aug. 8 to 10.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of CJ E&M, Small and Medium Business Administration
jun2@korea.kr