HanCinema @ KCON USA

The highlight of KCON is undoubtedly the concerts where acts from South Korea perform for their international fans, specifically North American Fans. Although K-pop concerts are far more frequent in North America than they once were -- back in 2003 there were only a handful while 2017 has seen over eighty performances -- the number pales in comparison to the number of live performances by American artists, which is to be expected. But that disparity and the unique culture of K-pop fans came together to create an atmosphere not to be forgotten...More

One of the hottest events of KCON is the red carpet that stars walk. They get up on stage, answer questions, and engage the audience. Without further ado, let's check out the shining stars on the red carpet...More

Head to KCON and there you will always find something to do, taste, see, smell, and hear. This year saw the biggest KCON to date and part of that was due to the flurry of activity. My photographer Sara and I never experienced a moment of boredom. To help you do the same in the coming years, here is a list of the top 8 things to do at KCON...More

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite parts of any big event like a convention or concert or fair is the food. This year's KCON Food Street had traditional and fusion offerings of Asian cuisine that not only tasted fabulous, but looked just as polished as your favorite Hallyu stars. With over a hundred food choices curated by KTown Night Market, Hallyu fans had plenty to satisfy their food cravings. Without further ado, let's feast our eyes on the delicacies of KCON Food Street 2017...More

Last weekend from August 18 to August 20, my cameraman Jason Yu and I spoke to the Hallyu fans at KCON 2017 in Los Angeles. They joined us in our "Spitfire Challenge", which is when fans answer three questions without missing a beat. How would you answer the three questions...More

Last weekend HanCinema attended KCON 2017 USA presented by Toyota in Los Angeles, which drew a record-breaking 85,000 people to the three-day event. Located at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Staples Center, KCON LA was mostly definitely chock full of activity for Hallyu lovers...More

It's Throwback Thursday, which means that today is the day that we reminisce about KCON 2016. Just last year HanCinema was at the hottest Hallyu event of 2016. Let's remember the good times...More

I'm sure you've seen the banners floating around HanCinema. Now it's finally time to announce that next Friday, August 18, KCON LA 2017 -- organized by KCONUSA and presented by Toyota -- begins and HanCinema is going to be there! Come join us as we sit on panels, enjoy the food, beauty, people, and, of course, the music...More

There is something magical about a K-pop concert. Perhaps it's the well-known talent, finesse, and beauty of K-pop stars. Perhaps it's the zest, intricacy, and cleverness of their music. Perhaps it's the fact that live K-pop performances are not easily come by in North America. KCON USA has been the major organization through which K-pop has become more accessible. Smaller organizers have begun to make places like New York and LA hotspots for K-pop. But the opportunity to see favorites is still far and few between.

Regardless of the "why", the concerts at KCON LA 2016 presented by Toyota were a surreal experience. Let's jump into the first night of concerts when acts from rookie to pro graced the stage and had the crowd roaring the entire time...More

KCON LA 2016 presented by Toyota flew by last weekend from Friday July 29 to Sunday July 31. Saturday and Sunday were special because crowd favorites walked the red carpet dressed to impress just before the big M Countdown concerts. Game faces were on and many groups' serious expressions belied their exuberance on stage. Nerves probably plagued the younger groups or groups who had not yet stepped on a KCON stage. Fans who gathered to cheer them on shouted their support and love, and even received love in return.

Let's take a look at some amazing red carpet highlights from Saturday and Sunday...More

KCON is the biggest Hallyu convesntion in North America for five years and running and day 1 kicked off the biggest convention yet. KCON LA 2016 presented by Toyota started off with a bang yesterday, July 28 at the LA Convention Center. Fans poured in, ready for three days of K-pop, Korean food, Korean beauty, K-drama, and more...More

(Photo courtesy of CJ E&M)

It is D-2 days before KCON LA 2016 presented by Toyota and we're getting pumped here at HanCinema. The three day convention held at the staples center from July 29 to July 31 is going to be jam packed full of activities for Hallyu lovers. Here's a list of the top 7 things to check out and do while you're there...More

KCON LA 2016 presented by Toyota is only a few days away from July 29 to July 31 at the Staples Center. To get you ready for it, HanCinema has one last beauty booth feature to share from KCON NY 2016. We'll take a look at Zazen Bear, Glow Recipe, MustaeV, Duft & Doft with beauty vlogger Sarang. Don't forget that at the bottom of this article are three chances to win beauty products! And now to explore some amazing Korean beauty and skincare companies...More

At KCON New York 2016 presented by Toyota HanCinema had the privilege and the pleasure of being on two panels with some amazing colleagues: "The Return of the Secret Life of K-pop Fans Over 30" and "From K-pop Fan to K-pop Professional". These panels represented HanCinema's first panel experience at KCON and we felt so welcomed by our fellow panelists.

Hallyu professionals from all over the spectrum gathered to talk about their expertise, and their passion...More

KCON New York 2016 presented by Toyota featured over ninety booths in the outdoor convention, and many of them were beauty booths. HanCinema stopped by the booths to chat with the businesses that bring Korean beauty products and skin care to New York and the rest of the world outside beauty-forward South Korea. Let's take a look a four amazing companies that set up booths at the Prudential Center June 24 and June 25 for KCON New York 2016! Don't forget to check out the instructions at the bottom of the article to enter our giveaway. Three mystery beauty gift bags are up for grabs this go 'round...More

The second year of KCON New York held June 24 and June 25 at the Prudential Center shaped up to be an incredible event that attracted 42,000 Hallyu fans, nearly two and a half times as many fans as its inaugural year of 17,000. Half of the fans in attendance came from outside the New York metro area. Not only did fan numbers swell, but the convention enjoyed double the sponsorship, over ninety booths, and triple the workshops and panels. HanCinema was on two of those panels and will also participate in panels at KCON LA July 29 through July 30. We also visited many of the booths at the convention and have fantastic, high-quality beauty items for giveaway. Check out the giveaway instructions at the bottom of this list of highlights to learn how to enter! And don't worry, you will have more chances to win Korean beauty products! Keep following our KCON New York coverage to find out more!

And now, without further ado, here are the top 8 highlights of the KCON New York 2016 Convention of all things Hallyu...More

Because there were so many funs things to do an see at KCON New York 2016, we at HanCinema wanted to make sure to share as much as possible with HanCinema readers. So, every Saturday until KCON LA we're going to post a photogallergy from KCON NY to tide you over to the next exciting con! Without further ado, here is a glorious KCON New York 2016 picture explosion...More

The second day of KCON NY 2016 presented by Toyota was even more exciting than the first. Anticipation for the concert kept energy levels as high as the heat index and the love for all things Hallyu was palpable.

HanCinema had finished its panels the day before and had the chance to attend other panels by amazing Hallyu professionals...More

Action-packed Day 1 of KCON New York at the Prudential Center is over and it was amazing! Even though temperatures spiked to 83°F, that didn't stop devoted Hallyu fans from flocking to KCON to get their full doses of Hallyu goodness. Kathryn and I got there around 9 A.M. to check in and scope the place out. The lines to enter the convention were already massively long.

Never doubt a Hallyu fan, though. The lines weren't a deterrent to happiness...More

It's finally T-1. KCON New York 2016 will dawn bright and early tomorrow morning and HanCinema is going to be there to give you all the goods. Yours truly will be there, Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine, accompanied by Kathryn Kiefhaber, and with our favorite Community Manager/Behind-the-Scenes Evil Genius, Orion, working her social media magic...More

If you've been following HanCinema's social media, you already know that we're going to KCON New York 2016 held at the Prudential Center June 24 and June 25! Whoohoo! The HanCinema team is going to bring you the latest on all the wonderful happenings of KCON NY as well as participate in two Hallyu panels...More