Introducing KCON LA 2026’s Freshman Class - Welcome to the Family!
- MIXTAPE 317
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Written by Maggz Photos by MIXTAPE 317 Team
| Each year, groups and soloists take the stage at KCON LA for the first time, introducing their artistry and personalities to new fans, and this year’s class did not disappoint
Each year, thousands of fans visit the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena for the first time, excited to engage with everything K-culture. KCON LA has grown year after year, to include more artists, more experiences, more brand activations, and much more. Hosted in Downtown Los Angeles, this year’s line up featured many artists making their KCON LA debut. From impressive vocals to crisp, synchronized dance moves - relive KCON LA 2026’s Freshman Class’ top moments as we take a look back on the jam-packed weekend.
&Team
While it was their first time at KCON LA, &Team proved that newer groups do have engaged and supportive fan bases. If you asked 50 fans who were in line on Friday of KCON LA who they were there to see, half would have said &Team. Since debuting in 2025, “Luné” (their fans) have been hoping to see the werewolf-themed group tour in the United States. Their performance on the Artist Stage on Friday was packed, performing favorites like “Dear Hunter” and “Firework” to screaming fans with phones held high above their fluffy wolf ear adorned heads. Later that night, they teamed up with Latin American boy group Santos Bravos to perform a medley of BTS hits “2.0,” “Hooligan,” and closing it out a with a high energy rendition of “Permission to Dance” that had the entire Crypto.com arena on their feet. After a strong first appearance in the United States, new and old fans of &Team now eagerly await a world tour to bring them back.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE
Another popular group with growing online support to debut at KCON LA is Wake One’s latest group, formed out of the popular competition show “Boys II Planet.” ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s fans have been tuned in since their time watching and voting on the show and building anticipation as they waited to hear songs from their debut EP Euphoria that was released in January 2026. Their newest release is out now, Unbreakable: 少年Beast, another mini-album including previously released singles “OMG!” and “Good Life.” Fans had a chance to meet the members at a KPOP Nara LA-hosted fansign and lucky fans walking in the convention got to see the members up close at the Bibigo booth on Sunday of KCON LA. The group treated fans on the M Countdown stage to a cover of BTS’ “Fake Love.”
H//PE Princess
Formed from the fourth installment of the Unpretty Rapstar series on Mnet, H//PE Princess made their KCON LA debut this month after their official debut in April 2026. Performing both on the Sanrio Dance Stage and Toyota Music Den stage on the Friday of the convention, fans on both levels of the event had a chance to meet these shining stars. H//PE Princess had a chance to impress even more KCONners during their cover of Block B’s “Very Good” during the M Countdown performance that evening. They performed their own song, “AWA,” to loud cheers and won the crowd over with their powerful stage presence and style. This group is promising and one that surely took many fans by surprise during their time in LA.
ILLIT
It’s hard to believe this was girl group icon ILLIT’s first time on the KCON LA stage. Fans had a chance to see the group perform multiple times throughout the weekend, inside the convention at both the Artist Stage and the Toyota Music Den Stage. During the M Countdown performance, ILLIT appeared in the surprise premiere of a clip from upcoming movie “K-pop: The Debut” in which the group will be featured in February 2027. They also performed their part of their collaboration song “Iconic by Mistake” to loud cheers - a performance that only would have been enhanced if they had been joined by KATSEYE and LE SSERAFIM. Fans joined ILLIT on stage for the iconic KCON LA Dreamstage, performing the challenging choreography of “It’s Me” with the members for an unforgettable moment.
KEYVITUP
iNKODE’s boy group KEYVITUP had many opportunities during their time in LA to connect with fans including a polaroid event with Hello82 and hosting their first FANNECT fanmeet before KCON LA officially kicked off. Attendees of KCON LA knew they would have multiple opportunities while onsite to see the group, with appearances on the Toyota Music Den and M Countdown stages announced. Continuing the excitement of popular K-pop song covers, the group performed Stray Kids’ “Maniac,” always a crowd favorite with the track’s recognizable choreography and adlibs. They also performed ATEEZ’s popular song “Adrenaline” to the cheers of fans throughout the convention hall. They performed tracks off their debut self-titled EP, “BEST ONE” and “POLAROID” during their many stages, giving them an opportunity to cement themselves in the minds of US-based fans.
KickFlip
JYP’s group KickFlip kicked off KCON LA with a surprise appearance at the Mnet+ booth on Friday morning, dancing to songs from label mates in a RPD style compilation. They moved expertly through the iconic choreographies to the cheers of fans who happened to be downstairs in Kentia Hall at the time of the performance. They took time to interact with fans along the barricade, dancing with fans and completing hearts. They continued the energy into their Artist Stage performance, covering “God’s Menu” by Stray Kids to deafening cheers. The group even uploaded their full dance practice for the cover to YouTube following the convention after so much buzz online. Performing “Eye-Poppin’” and “Backward” from their fourth EP, My First Kick, the skateboard-themed group gave a strong introduction to fans who hadn’t had the chance to dive into this talented group.
ONE PACT
As their North and Latin American tour “Outshine” approached, five member boy group ONE PACT took to the KCON LA stage for the first time, to the delight of fans. With spots in the lineup on the Toyota Music Den and M Countdown stages, a special appearance at their own booth, and a fansign event outside of the convention; One Pact was booked and busy. Fans had an opportunity to meet member Jay Chang again, who had been away from group activities to launch his solo album and in his activities with former group B.D.U. ONE PACT is touring through the end of September giving even more people a chance to hear “U so hot” live.
Other top moments of the weekend for first-timers at KCON LA included Planet C: Home Base produced group Modyssey’s cover of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” and soloist So!YoON! accompanying herself on the guitar, confidently taking the M Countdown stage to a packed arena of glimmering lightsticks. NEXZ had convention attendees flocking to the Toyota Music Den stage for their cover of “Chk Chk Boom” by Stray Kids.
What favorite moments from first-timers did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or tag us in your fancams on Tiktok and Instagram!
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