By Honorary Reporter Seema Thomas from India
Photos = Maddi (Madeleine Williams), Megan Prude, Leah Tabor and Shidi Wang

This year's KCON from July 26-28 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was a dream come true for many fans thanks to the vibrant performances by K-pop acts there. The program's Dream Stage also allowed select dancers to share the spotlight with the stars.

 
As a K-pop enthusiast, I reached out to four lucky fans - Madeleine Williams, Megan Prude, Leah Tabor and Shidi Wang - who got to perform with Taemin, ENHYPEN and Zico.

 
The following are the excerpts from written interviews conducted from July 28 to Aug. 2 with the four.

Briefly introduce yourselves.
Maddi: My name is Maddi, I am 20 years old from America and have always been interested in music and dance.

Prude: My name is Megan Prude. I'm 26 and from North Carolina.

Tabor: My name is Leah Tabor. I'm part of the dance crew HallyUA at the University of Alabama and Helixx in Chicago.

Shidi: My name is Shidi, and I started dancing casually when I was young. I was part of a hip-hop dance team during my university years and later joined the K-pop dance cover team Shero.

What sparked your interest in K-pop and how did it get you to KCON Dream Stage?
Madeleine: I discovered BTS on YouTube and became a fan of their music, which led me to explore more K-pop groups. I heard about KCON Dream Stage last year, and the chance to perform with my favorite artist was too good to pass up.

Prude: It was K-pop's dynamic choreography and stage setups, in contrast to American artists' focus on singing, that captivated my interest and reignited my passion for dance. As an ardent follower of ENHYPEN since "I-Land," the reality TV competition series that launched the group, I seized this opportunity and wanted to document my progress as a dancer.

Tabor: BTS provided my solace when I was a theater kid in high school, and K-pop made me realize I enjoyed dancing more than anything. K-pop gave me the outlet to try genres of dance that I didn't have access to.

Shidi: My interest in K-pop was sparked by its vibrant music and performances, which deepened when I joined Shero. Hearing about my teammates' experiences performing with top K-pop artists like ITZY, IVE and ZEROBASEONE on the KCON Dream Stage last year inspired me to try it.

What was the audition process for KCON Dream Stage like? 
Prude: KCON's audition began with an online submission including a recorded performance and a consent form. Those selected were invited for a second audition on-site. The preliminary group performance was followed by the final round, in which the winners were announced afterwards. Despite the nerve-wracking wait and the challenge of maintaining professionalism amid the bubbling excitement, performing with ENHYPEN and meeting fellow Engenes (the group's fans) and dancers were the highlights.

Maddi: The challenges were the choreography and competing with other talented dancers. The immense support from family and friends and forming new friendships along the way made it a memorable journey. 

Tabor: Mastering the hip-hop style was a challenge for me as it wasn't my forte. Though I wasn't very confident about my audition video, once I received the email on making it to the in-person audition, I worked even harder to nail the details and enhance my swag factor. The hardest part was waiting on stage after auditions to see if you advanced to the next round, and the highlight was watching other people add their flair and incorporate textures to their dances, which also helped to enhance my audition.

Shidi: A challenge was maintaining energy and focus throughout the intense schedule, but rehearsing with Zico was an incredible moment that made it all worthwhile.

What were your most memorable moments during this event?
Maddi: My most memorable moment was during rehearsals when Taemin looked into our eyes and had the biggest smile on his face. You could tell this was also a special moment for him.

Prude: Being placed directly behind ENHYPEN, and most importantly, my favorite member Jake. After the performance, the group fist-bumped and shook hands with all of us, which I will never forget. 

 
Tabor: The most memorable moments were hearing NCT 127 having fun during soundcheck, seeing ZEROBASEONE, INI, ME:I, Jeon Somi and KATSEYE backstage, and my feeling of pure joy after the performance.

Shidi: Rehearsing with Zico on stage was an unforgettable moment, as it allowed me to connect with an artist I deeply admire. Another was bonding with fellow performers, sharing our excitement and nerves, and supporting each other throughout the process. Performing on stage at the Crypto.com Arena was exciting.

What did this experience mean for you as a K-pop fan and your future?
Maddi: As someone who loves dancing and K-pop, this was a great step forward in my life. I will use this opportunity as a reminder that I am better than what I thought and will continue to work hard to make more of my dreams a reality.

Prude: As an international fan, this meant the world to me and made me hopeful to work with other artists. It also fueled my creative side, as I want to take more dance lessons and start performing locally. For many years, I pushed aside my interest in music and dance, but this has inspired me to pick it back up and hone my skills.

Tabor: As a fan and dancer, I cannot be more thankful. I got to meet some of my favorite artists and set foot where I never would've dreamed of three years ago when I started doing K-pop cover dance. This incredible experience will fuel my passion for dance, styling and K-pop performances.

Shidi: This opportunity to perform at KCON was a dream-come-true moment and reinforced my commitment to pursuing dance as a significant part of my life. I plan to continue honing my skills in the performing arts and connect more with other dancers.

What message do you have for those inspired to dance by your experience?
Maddi: Never hesitate to seize an opportunity. Even if you don't make it, just be proud of yourself for trying and use the experience to do even better next time.

Prude: Never quit. Though I once did, ENHYPEN helped me pick myself up and I realized my dream by performing with them. Nothing is impossible, so keep chasing your dreams even if they sound crazy. As long as you never lose your passion, the world is yours.

Tabor: Keep trying even when something feels like it's out of your comfort zone. Growth doesn't come by sticking with the same routine.

Shidi: Never underestimate the power of passion. Opportunities like KCON Dream Stage are within your reach if you stay dedicated. Surround yourself with a supportive community, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Enjoy the process and keep pushing forward.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.