3 KCON LA Acts Deliver a 3PEAT: 3 Years in a Row of Flawless Performances

Written by Maggz Photos by KCON LA 2026

| Did someone say angel numbers? NCT 127, P1Harmony, and Zerobaseone are KCON LA veterans at this point, with performances three years in a row delighting fans and new listeners alike

One of the biggest draws of KCON LA is getting the opportunity to listen to new, growing artists alongside veteran headliners over three days of convention stages, booth pop-ups, and the grandiose M Countdown Stage at Crypto.com Arena. Each year, thousands of “KCONners” flood the L.A. Live area of Downtown Los Angeles with plushie adorned clear bags and flashing lightsticks. While different fandoms are represented across signs, t-shirts, buttons, and photocards - there is a common thread that often pulls them together: their love and familiarity with the veteran acts who occupy top billing on the lineup. This year, three groups returned for a “3PEAT” to unite the crowds in excitement over their return for the third year in a row: NCT 127, P1Harmony, and Zerobaseone.

NCT 127’s appearance on the KCON LA 2026 lineup gave fans of SM’s multi-group ecosystem another opportunity to sport their neon green and welcome back to the stage members Taeyong and Jaehyun as they returned from their mandatory military service. With their new album Blingy announced for later in the year, fans excitedly bought up tickets in hopes they could possibly hear new songs from the group currently performing with five active members. NCTzens dreams came true - with even more US targeted promotion than they could have ever imagined possible from the group, recently celebrating 10 years as a group. Bright green billboards popped up in Times Square and Hollywood with bold lettering asking one direct and simple question: “DID YOU MISS US?” Based on the blood curdling screams that erupted when the Friday night headliners took the M Countdown Stage and Jaehyun’s iconic opening line of “Lemonade” began, it’s safe to say, they were truly missed. The kings of aura were back on the stage, delivering intensity and plenty of surprises.

Performing classic hits like “Touch” and “Summer 127” during their headlining set, NCT 127 brought a new and fresh setlist to this year’s KCON LA appearance, showing that even veteran acts can surprise us. Their world debut of their new song “Piñata” took place during their set as well, with an addicting chorus of “One time! One time!” erupting as they moved through sharp choreography. They continued their celebration of 10 years with fans through a fansign at KPOP Nara LA and an appearance on America’s Got Talent on Wednesday, August 19, giving fans and millions of viewers across America a sneak peek at “Piñata” prior to the release of their new album Blingy on August 24. It feels a little greedy to hope for a “4PEAT” from this group, but fans can hold out hope that SM decides to bring their upcoming Red Line tour beyond Asia next year. NCT 127 is on fire with this new album, new era, and their fans are along for the ride for the next 10 years and beyond.

NCT leader Taeyong graced the stage on Saturday night as a soloist, returning to the KCON LA M Countdown stage, previously having performed in 2023. This year, his set was edgy, mature, and greeted with loud cheers throughout the arena. In a viral moment that is still getting buzz, Taeyong unzipped his leather vest to reveal his tattooed, bare chest as he finished one of his songs. As he made his way back to the main stage, he put the shirt back on, zipping it up to disappointed cries from the crowd, joking with them, “I know what you guys want, sorry.” He performed newer tracks like “Skiii” and “WYLD” during his set but also threw it back to “SHALALA” that attendees previously heard on the same stage in 2023. Fans happily welcomed “Father Neo” back to the stage and to LA, fansign winners having a chance to meet him at KPOP Nara LA (where his shirt stayed on for the entirety of the event.) The amount of bright green Neobong lightsticks present throughout the convention all three days proves the lasting success of these artists and their connection to their fans, especially in a city like LA that has started to become a second home.

Youtube

P1Harmony are known for having a huge Western market fanbase, having toured annually across North and Latin America and Europe since 2022. Each year they have grown in venue sizes, played to larger crowds, and welcomed more people into their fandom, “P1ece.” They’ve popped up on lineups for the popular holiday-themed iHeart Radio Jingle Ball in 2023 and 2024, giving a chance for even more non K-pop enjoyers to experience their energy and music live. Despite these many appearances and their appearance on the KCON LA stage since 2022, the group did not land a headliner slot for the 2026 convention.

However, this did not mean that fans had to miss out on seeing P1Harmony at KCON LA. With scheduled appearances on the Olive Young Beauty Stage, Artist Stage, and M Countdown Stage; P1ece were able to once again meet their biases multiple times throughout the convention. Their Artist Stage set on Saturday was packed with fans, pressed against the barricade in hopes of capturing the perfect fancam or being able to participate in one of the games hosted during the session. They performed fan favorites like “DUH!” and “UNIQUE” with catchy choruses and aesthetic choreography. Member Soul played an eye contact game with a fan dressed in a banana costume, during which leader Keeho refereed the interaction and made funny comments to the rest of the group waiting on the stage. During their final song during the set, the members ran between the VIP and Premium barricade areas, smiling into phone cameras, blowing bubbles, and even shooting off confetti over the screaming fans.

Later that night, inside the deafening Crypto.com Arena, the members made their way to the stairs in between the lower bowl sections of the seating to prepare to start their hit song “ICE (VVS)” from amongst the crowd. Member Intak sang into the phones of fans as they sang the lyrics to the song that came out earlier this year in March. They finished off their set with "Heartbeat Drum” and the whole room was jumping and singing along, no matter whose lightstick they were holding above their head.

As one of the most seasoned repeat KCON LA acts and enough fans to pack appearances across the convention, P1Harmony deserve that headliner spot next year, without a doubt. They have the charm and charisma to command the stage and fans really respond to their style of music and performance.

The final group making their return for a third year in a row also had a new vibe and some changes after Zerobaseone’s contract negotiations resulted in some of the members debuting in another group, And2ble, and five remaining in the original group. One of said members, leader Han-bin, is no stranger to the KCON LA stage, often taking on the role of MC during the M Countdown Stage and making pop up appearances throughout the convention. This year was no different, having introduced many acts before they joined the stage and appearing in videos played throughout the convention.

Member Matthew sat down with Culinary Class Wars Chef Edward Lee during a special session on the Toyota Music Den Stage inside the convention hall, hosting a pocha-style interview about Korean food. The two bounced off each others’ energy, Chef Lee quickly adapting to the high energy of the Zeroses in the crowd. It was an opportunity to experience other aspects of the K-culture KCON LA works to promote, beyond the non-stop K-pop performances throughout the weekend.

Zerobaseone’s setlist during the M Countdown Stage this year did not disappoint, kicking it off by reintroducing themselves to the crowd through their song “Top 5” off their latest album Ascend-, released in May. The sound inside the Crypto.com Arena reached new heights and nearly broke the sound barrier as the group’s unique flower ring shaped lightstick shone blue and the members appeared in dark, crisp outfits. Members Gunwook, Hanbin, and Matthew stayed on stage once the song ended, joined by backup dancers as the recognizable opening sounds of “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake boomed. It was the only time the entire weekend that the room was anywhere close to quiet. Fans stood mouths agape, phones up to record the surprise cover stage, looking at each other in disbelief. The members killed it, song over too soon, before Jiwoong took the stage to perform his solo song “CLOSER.” The group sang popular tracks like “Doctor! Doctor!” to loud cheers throughout their long set.

Fans also had a chance to meet the members during a fansign hosted at Kpop Nara LA, part of their series of events “Summer Fantasy LA 2026” which brought many of the KCON LA acts to a more intimate setting for lucky fans who entered raffles. Zerobaseone has proven that they have devoted and dedicated fans, excited to see them each year they return to KCON LA. All that is left for fans to hope for is a world tour that brings them back for a longer show in multiple cities and countries!

Head over to Mixtape 317’s Instagram and TikTok for clips of all our favorite moments from KCON LA as well as fit checks, mini interviews, and highlights from our favorite booths. We hope to see you all next year and bring you even more content from this top tier K-pop festival in the US!

KCON

Web | Instagram