PROJECT 1004

Category: Concerts

  • AMPERS&ONE Becomes the First K-pop Band to Perform at the Mall of America

    AMPERS&ONE Becomes the First K-pop Band to Perform at the Mall of America

    Bloomington, MN

    The large crowd surrounding Huntington Bank Rotunda at the Mall of America got louder as it got closer to 6PM. Everyone was waiting for the first K-pop band to ever perform at the Mall of America. Debuting in 2023 under FNC Entertainment, AMPERS&ONE is a 7-member boyband that consists of Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Mackiah, Kyrell, and Seungmo.

    Who is AMPERS&ONE?

    AMPERS&ONE combines “ampersand” (&) and “one” to represent the group’s mission: uniting together to achieve their dreams. Even before their debut, they were already making waves in the industry, thanks in part to popular Boys Planet contestants Brian and Kamden. Since then, the band has continued to grow steadily.

    What sets AMPERS&ONE apart is their remarkable international makeup. Kamden and Kyrell are from Seattle, Brian is Chinese-Canadian, Jiho spent a year living in Massachusetts, and Mackiah has Australian roots. This global background gives the group a unique advantage — they can connect and communicate comfortably with fans all around the world.

    They recently released their fourth mini album titled, Definition. This mini album features six songs led by their title track, “GOD”. The title track showcases a more mature side of the group, telling a story of rising from the ground, overcoming doubt, and being ignored to finally claiming their place at the top. It also incorporates traditional Korean instruments in the song and has an addictive and repetitive melody. The album has a diverse mix of sounds, from the upbeat pop song like “All Eyes on You” to the heartfelt ballad track like “Tears in Your Smile” and upbeat hip hop dance track like “What you Talking About”. The members also participated in writing the songs in the album.

    Performance at Mall of America.

    AMPERS&ONE held a free performance at 6PM. Although the show was free, fans had the opportunity to purchase upgrades to get closer floor seats to watch the show and interact with the idols. Some of the VIP events were held before the concert. However, the High Touch Event and the You+ and Selfie events were held after the show. The full schedule can be seen on the Instagram post below:

    Before the show started, many people could be seen crowding around the Huntington Bank Rotunda. The lucky few who were able to get upgrades or claimed floor wristbands were able to stand by the stage to watch the performance. Everyone else was encouraged to watch the performance from the balcony from the other floors.

    AMPERS&ONE opened their show with their newest title track, “GOD”. The performance started at 6PM and ended at 8PM. Throughout their entire performance, the boys could be seen giving 100% of their energy. From dancing vigorously on stage to interacting with the crowd, every second was filled with entertainment and energy. Fans could be seen singing along to the songs, shouting fan chants, and dancing throughout the entire performance. Some of the members even stepped off stage to interact with the fans.

    Outside of their songs, AMPERS&ONE prepared special unit stages for the fans. Kamden and Jiho performed a dance cover to “Fever” by Enhypen; Brian and Kyrell sung a cover of “Love Story” by Taylor Swift; and Mackiah, Seungmo, and Siyun prepared a cover of “Drag Me Down” by One Direction.

    During their short commentary breaks, the members mentioned how excited they were to be back in Minnesota again. They were here last year for their 1st US tour. Member Kamden mentioned that it was his dream to perform at a big mall. He thanked everyone for making his dream come true. They also talked about how they came a day early to rehearse and set up and were able to ride the log and SpongeBob rides at Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall. Throughout the night, the members also thanked Mall of America for allowing them to have their concert there. In good FNC style, Mackiah ended the night by telling fans to attend their other stops if they wish to see AMPERS&ONE perform again.

    AMPERS&ONE is currently on their <BORN TO DEFINE> U.S. Tour with LEO Presents. They are about halfway done with their tour. They are visiting 17 U.S. cities for this tour. After their Minnesota show, they will be heading to Des Moines, Iowa then to Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and ending their tour in San Jose on June 2nd. The tour features lots of merch that fans and concert attendees can purchase. The prices and items can be seen below.

    Check out more photos from the show below.

  • Big Ocean Returns to Minnesota for Their 2026 Tour

    Big Ocean Returns to Minnesota for Their 2026 Tour

    Minneapolis, MN.

    After a year’s wait, Minnesota Pados were able to see Big Ocean perform in Minnesota again. Big Ocean performed at the Fine Line in Minneapolis on April 14th. Pado is the name for Big Ocean’s official fandom. Big Ocean is a three-member K-pop band that debuted under Parastar Entertainment in 2024. All members are hard of hearing. Since their debut, they have grown a large and dedicated global fanbase. The three members are PJ, Chanyeon, and Jiseok.

    Minneapolis holds a special place in Big Ocean’s heart. Not only has Minnesota fans showed their love for Big Ocean by attending multiple Big Ocean events to show their support, but because Minnesota was also their first stop when they were on their first U.S. Tour last year. The members mentioned on Tuesday night that they were super excited and happy to be back in Minnesota again.

    The concert started at 7PM. VIP fans were allowed into the venue at 5:30PM to do fan engagements. They were able to do a fan sign, high touch, take group photos, and attend sound check with Big Ocean. General ticket holders were able to enter the venue at 6PM.

    Last year, Big Ocean radiated youthful energy on stage, but this year their performances carried a sense of experience and maturity. They ran through both newer tracks and beloved fan favorites, making for a concert that felt exciting and familiar, yet refreshingly different.

    One stand out moment came when member PJ complimented a fan by saying, “I love your smile.” The fans flushed and the fans erupted in cheers. Jiseok joked saying, “Ayyy, are you flirting?”.

    Big Ocean prepared many new solo stages this year. PJ performed his solo track, “Sinking” with a twist. He brought a fan from the audience on stage to do a little role playing. Every time PJ reached out to the fan, the fan was expected to run away from him. Fans screamed as PJ caught her, gave her a hug and kissed her on the forehead at the end of the performance.

    Chanyeon showcased a different side of himself by preparing a rap stage of the song, ‘Forest of Dreams’. In his previous performances, Chanyeon showcased dance-centered performances by performing ‘Jennie’ by BLACKPINK’s Jennie and a cover of ‘Troublemaker’. by HyunA and Hyun Seung. The audience couldn’t help but dance and jump along with Chanyeon as he utilized the entire stage.

    Jiseok did a solo performance to their new track called, ‘Back’.

    Big Ocean ended the night with a performance of their new title track, ‘The Greatest Battle’. They also performed fan favorite songs like ‘Slow’ and ‘End of Time’.

    Big Ocean’s European tour, which was set to follow their US stop, has been cancelled due to safety concerns.

    ** A special thanks to Oppang for the opportunity to cover and shoot the show for the Minneapolis stop.

  • TWICE Becomes the First K-pop Group to Perform at an Arena in Minnesota

    TWICE Becomes the First K-pop Group to Perform at an Arena in Minnesota

    St. Paul, MN

    TWICE lit up Grand Casino Arena (previously known as the Xcel Energy Center) in downtown Saint Paul and became the first K-pop band to perform at an arena in Minnesota. They are currently on a long World Tour promoting their album, <THIS IS FOR>. Consisting of 9-members, TWICE debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2015. They have released many hit song such as ‘The Feels’, ‘Signal’, and ‘Likey’. Many fans were excited for this upcoming concert as it will be the first time a big K-pop group will be performing with a big production in Minnesota. Members Dahyun and Chaeyoung were missing from the concert due to health issues. Dahyun fractured her ankle and Chaeyoung hurt her back.

    Twice brought concert-goers from all ages and united all generations of K-pop. Some fans were retired 2nd generation K-pop fans whom came out of concert-retirement to see TWICE perform. Others were newer 5th gen K-pop fans who loves TWICE’s newer concepts. Others were K-pop Demon Hunter fans who are exploring K-pop for the first time. No matter what generation K-pop fan you were, everyone was really welcoming, giving out freebies, and excited to celebrate the first K-pop arena tour in Minnesota.

    A special part of this tour is its utilization of a raised 360-degree stage. The stage was placed in the middle and allowed more fans to attend the concert and get a closer opportunity to see TWICE perform. Fans had the options to get a seat and watch the performance or to stand in the pit and see TWICE perform closer. Whichever option you chose, it was a good view of their performance.

    TWICE performed a wide range of stages. From their B-side tracks to their solo tracks and most popular songs, fans were able to get a full experience of their discography from this concert. Many fans knew the dances from the songs and you can see them dancing along with TWICE as they performed.

    Outside of their performance, TWICE had short commentaries with the fans. They did a dance battle with some of the fans and learned a new “meme” (slang) from the audience. The audience taught TWICE the “clock it” gesture. Jihyo had the most fun with the new slang as she quickly picked up the meaning and used it throughout the concert.

    TWICE ended the concert by giving fans the choice to choose the last song. Although there were many songs that fans requested, the chosen song was ‘Signal’ released in 2017. Fans screamed with joy as TWICE performed their hit song. During the performance, TWICE walked around the stage, interacted with fans, and greeted everyone.

    TWICE will be performing in Denver, Colorado on April 14th then ending their North American tour in Austin, Texas on April 17th. They will fly to Europe and start the European Tour in May.

  • JUNHEE Concludes His First Solo U.S. Tour

    JUNHEE Concludes His First Solo U.S. Tour

    JUNHEE recently completed the U.S. leg of his first solo tour, Into the Ocean. The tour included nine stops, beginning in Dallas, Texas, and concluding in San Francisco, California. JUNHEE (formerly known as JUN) is a solo artist who debuted as the leader of the K-pop boy group A.C.E. After the group’s contract with their former agency ended, the members began pursuing individual activities under different companies. However, A.C.E has not disbanded, and the members hope to reunite for future performances. Fans can often see the members supporting one another through TikTok Lives or by attending each other’s solo events in Korea.

    Since launching his solo career, JUNHEE has been steadily building his musical identity. He established his own label, HNP Entertainment, and has released two projects so far: a digital single titled “Supernova” and a mini album, The First Day & Night. The album showcases a wide range of sounds, featuring fun and upbeat tracks like “Too Bad (15:00),” a heartfelt ballad such as “Night (2:00),” and addictive songs like the title track, “Umbrella (10:00).”

    JUNHEE encouraged attendees to dress according to the concert theme via his Instagram story. The theme of his 2026 world tour, Into the Ocean, was embraced by fans throughout each stop and many fans arrived in creative, beach-inspired outfits. Some incorporated fishing nets into their looks, while others wore clover-shaped hair clips, or dressed like mermaids. During the shows, fans expressed excitement at seeing JUNHEE perform live. Many were longtime A.C.E fans who had attended previous group concerts, while others were new fans who had recently discovered his music. These newer fans shared their excitement about attending the tour and enthusiastically talked about the songs that made them fall in love with his music.

    One of the most memorable segments of the tour was the food testing portion. At each stop, JUNHEE sampled a local specialty from the state he was visiting. In Minnesota, he tried the infamous Juicy Lucy, earning the nickname “Juicy JUNHEE” from fans. While attempting to share fries with the audience, he accidentally dropped them, prompting laughter as he jokingly commented that he makes mistakes sometimes. In Chicago, he sampled deep-dish pizza, much to the crowd’s delight. Local audience members recommended JUNHEE to try Chicago’s other popular dishes next time: hot dogs or sandwiches.

    The concert concluded with an encore featuring several of A.C.E’s hit songs, sending fans into a frenzy as they sung along and cheered with joy.

    JUNHEE will continue his Into the Ocean tour in Asia, with upcoming performances in Seoul on February 1, Taipei on February 28, and a European tour scheduled for March.

    ** Special thanks to KORUS Entertainment, Oppang, and HNP Entertainment for the opportunity to attend and photograph JUNHEE during the Minnesota and Chicago stops of his tour.

  • [Concert Recap] Attending my first Studio PAV Concert as a Fan (SF9 LOVE DAWN Tour – VIP + Snapshot Experience)

    [Concert Recap] Attending my first Studio PAV Concert as a Fan (SF9 LOVE DAWN Tour – VIP + Snapshot Experience)

    It’s been a while since I attended a concert as a fan. Recently, I have only been covering concerts as a concert photographer / journalist. I debated a lot whether I should attend the SF9 concert. When the concert was first announced, I was shocked because of the VIP benefits, admissions ticket, and everything was sold separately. To be honest, it was just way too expensive and far away. So I decided to not attend the concert even though I really like SF9.

    However, fans started circulating that there was a sale on the tickets. And after much thought, I ended up buying last minute tickets to see SF9 live in Kansas City, Missouri. VIP tickets for the stop was 50% off if you use the code FANTASY. Regular GA tickets for the show was 80% off if you use the code FANTASY80 so it was a great deal! You could attend the concert with GA tickets for ~$15!

    It was so shocking to see VVIP and VIP set up the way it was. VVIP had group photo with the artist and VIP had fansign with the artist. Usually, VVIP had more benefits than VIP (ex. group photo AND fansign). But this one was split and you had to choose between one or the other. I guess the only thing you were paying for if you got VVIP was earlier access to choose your seats. After much debating, I decided to go with the VIP experience because I would rather have a signed poster than a photo with the artists since I already planned to do the snapshot option.

    For as shocking as the ticket prices and benefit system was, the experience itself was super great and well organized. It was one of the best concerts and concert experiences I had ever had. Check in was super quick and easy. I arrived at around 2:45PM, was able to quickly check in and get my VIP lanyard, premium concert admission wristband, and snapshot tickets. I was in and out within 5 minutes.

    Studio PAV had a queue system (like they do in Korea) and “No-Line” rule, so your entrance queue number was based on your ticket tier and how early you bought the tickets. Since I bought my tickets last minute, I was at the back of the VIP line. But, thankfully, that wasn’t too bad for this concert and venue because we were at an seated auditorium.

    VIP Experience

    I thought the VIP experience was really well done. Since we were in a seated auditorium at a community center, they didn’t really have a room to split VVIP from VIP. We all entered the venue based on our tier and queue number and was organized to sit in the chairs in front of the stage. Once we were all seated, the staff quickly told us what was going to happen and what to expect. The directions were loud and clear. VVIP was seated in the rows before us. They will go up on stage based on their seats and wait in line on the left side of the stage. Each person must have their phones ready. When it was their turn, they handed their phone to the staff member, sat in the chair in front of SF9 and got their photo taken. It was fun to watch because most people had a pose they wanted to do with SF9. So it was funny, cute, and exciting to see what each fan had planned for their 1 For All photo.

    After the VVIP’s finished their last photo, the boys went backstage. The staff quickly set up some tables, chairs, and markers for the VIP fansign. Then VIP’s were instructed to stand up and line up in our correct order. SF9 came back out. When we got on the stage, we got a poster and went up to the table where SF9 was sitting. I think the order for the fansign was Chani, Hwiyoung, Inseong, Jaeyoon, and Youngbin. The fansign goes by really fast. I really just wanted to say hi to each member and look them in the eye because I wasn’t able to do that with ONEWE (I was too nervous). Inseong surprised me by asking for my name. I was shocked and all I said was my name. I don’t even remember saying “hello” or “thank you” to him.

    After the fan sign ended, the boys went backstage again. Then we had sound check and the boys performed 3 songs for us. The seating for soundcheck was how we were sat when we first came in. After soundcheck ended, we were organized into our seats for the show.

    Seating

    How did seating go? We were moved to the top seats after sound check. They separated us as Premium or General Admission. Then they started calling out numbers for VVIP + Premium Admission ticket holders. The order went as below:

    • VVIP + Premium Admissions
    • VIP + Premium Admissions
    • VVIP + General Admissions
    • VIP + General Admissions

    Non-VVIP/VIP fans came in after all of VIP was seated. They were lined up outside and came in as following:

    • Premium admissions
    • General admissions

    I think the only other thing that was shocking was that merch was closed during the concert. If you needed to pick up snapshot tickets or wanted to check out merch you had to wait until after the concert if you didn’t pick them up before the concert. When I checked with merch, they only had some photo postcards and no other merch. A lot of people bought last minute snapshot tickets. You could still buy tickets before the concert but you had to buy them online then show the QR code to the merch volunteers when you went up to pick it up.

    Concert

    The concert was so so so so good! SF9 debuted in October 2016 under FNC Entertainment. Their debut song is “Fanfare”. They just hit their 9th year anniversary. Happy anniversary! If you are looking for a boyband who is really good at interacting with their fans, has a great sense of humor, and has great songs, SF9 is the band for you! They have a lot of really great and popular songs like “O Sole Mio”, “Good Guy”, “WARARU”, and “Tear Drop”. They also just released the song, “LOVE RACE,” earlier this year. Check them out! You won’t be disappointed 🙂 You can watch a highlight of the concert below:

    Snapshot Experience

    After the concert ended, they gave people without snapshot tickets time to trickle out of the auditorium and into the lobby and for people to pick up their snapshot tickets if they have not yet. Then, we were all separated based on whose snapshots we had. If you had snapshots for more than one member, you just have to go to the back of the other member’s line after you finished taking your photos.

    They called Youngbin’s line first so I got up and went to his line. When they finished organizing everyone, SF9 members came out and stood in front of their lines. We were asked to tell them what number pose we wanted to do with the member. I had snapshots with each member so I tried my best to be time efficient and went to the members with the shortest line after each photo. This was a great plan because I was able to successfully take photos with each members with no issue. When the line finishes for a member, a Studio PAV staff announces it and asks if there is anyone else with snapshot tickets for that member. If no one responds, the member goes backstage and rests.

    The members were so sweet. I really thought it would pass by super quickly and I wouldn’t get to say anything to the members except for “hi” and “bye” but I was really shocked when Youngbin, Hwiyoung, and Chani spoke to me. Thank you for the kind words. It was a really great experience. Since I am usually a festival and concert photographer staff, I am usually taking photos of these fan interactions. But this was the second time I attended as a fan so it was really nerve wrecking for me. It helps me relate to how fans feel.

    It was a really great experience. If you guys have the chance, I really recommend attending one of their other stops before the tour ends. They still have a few stops in Texas and California left. 🙂 Thank you Studio PAV for the great organization and experience!

  • Hannah Bahng Warms Hearts on a Cold Winter Night in Minneapolis

    Hannah Bahng Warms Hearts on a Cold Winter Night in Minneapolis

    Minneapolis, MN

    The chilly weather and first snowfall of the season didn’t stop fans from lining up outside the Varsity Theater on Sunday night to see Hannah Bahng perform at her long-awaited Minneapolis concert. Even passersby could feel the fans’ dedication — many had been waiting outside for hours before doors opened, despite not being dressed for the cold.

    Fans shivered in the freezing air, chatting to keep their spirits up. Some tucked their faces into their sweaters or pulled their shirts over their legs in an attempt to stay warm. But as soon as the venue doors opened and everyone stepped into the cozy theater, the cold was quickly forgotten. The warm, intimate atmosphere set the perfect tone for an evening of laughter, heartfelt stories, and soul-soothing music.

    Who is Hannah Bahng?

    Hannah Bahng is a rising Korean-Australian artist known for her relatability, genre-blending music, and engaging TikTok presence. This show marked her first-ever visit and performance in Minnesota. Many fans outside mentioned discovering her through TikTok or through her brother, Bang Chan, the leader of the K-pop group Stray Kids.

    Concert Experience

    Tickets were sold in three tiers:

    • VIP 1: Meet and greet, photo with Hannah, sound check access, and a lanyard
    • VIP 2: Sound check access and a lanyard
    • General Admission: Entry to the main concert

    During the sound check session, Hannah created a personal, lighthearted atmosphere with her VIP fans — answering questions, cracking jokes, and even attempting a Minnesota accent. When one brave fan asked her to marry her, Hannah playfully responded by asking the fan’s age. Upon hearing “13,” she laughed and said, “For legal reasons, I cannot marry you,” earning laughter from the crowd.

    Hannah also shared her latest obsession: gumball machines. She had one on stage and invited a fan up to turn the handle to choose that night’s sound check song. The lucky pick was Sabrina Carpenter’s “Good Luck, Babe!”, which Hannah performed beautifully, turning the moment into a spontaneous duet with the fan.

    After sound check, general admission ticket holders entered the venue. While waiting for Hannah’s main set, excited whispers spread through the crowd — fans had spotted her parents in the audience. Later, Hannah confirmed it was indeed their first time attending one of her shows. She thanked a couple who gave up their seats for them, gifting them a signed setlist as a token of appreciation.

    Opening Act: RealestK

    The night began with a soulful performance by RealestK, a Canadian R&B artist known for his smooth vocals and introspective songwriting. His emotional delivery and heartfelt storytelling won over many new fans in the audience. He closed his set with an inspiring message: “Chase your dreams.”

    Hannah’s Set

    When Hannah finally took the stage, the crowd erupted. She effortlessly commanded the room — performing her songs, connecting with fans, and sharing stories behind her lyrics. Her authenticity and warmth made the night feel deeply personal.

    The Misunderstood World Tour includes 27 stops across North America, and Minneapolis marked the halfway point. From here, Hannah will head west and into Canada before wrapping up her tour in Dallas, Texas.

  • Inside the 2025 Atlanta Korean Festival: K-Pop, Culture, and Culinary Delights

    Inside the 2025 Atlanta Korean Festival: K-Pop, Culture, and Culinary Delights

    From chewy tteokbokki to show-stopping K-pop performances, the 2025 Korean Festival in Atlanta was one massive celebration of Korean culture. Held on October 4th and 5th in the back parking lot of Sugarloaf Mills, this two-day celebration-hosted by the Korean Festival Foundation – brought together everything from sizzling street food and cultural performances to full-blown K-pop concerts.

    Rain or shine, event goers showed up ready to vibe, dance, and eat.

    Headliners that Rocked the Festival

    Kim Hye Yeon (김혜연) – Bringing Fun and Energy to the stage

    Kim Hye-yeon lit up the stage with her signature trot-style performances, bringing a wave of nostalgia and joy to the crowd. A beloved singer with numerous hits from the 1990s and early 2000s, she especially resonated with the older generation—many of whom sang along to every lyric and had their phones out to capture the moment.

    Energetic and full of charm, Kim Hye-yeon quickly became a fan favorite, breaking all age barriers and turning her set into one big party. She laughed and danced with the audience, even inviting audience members on stage to join her in the fun. At one point, she stepped off stage to dance among the crowd, creating an unforgettable moment of connection that perfectly embodied the festival’s inclusive and joyful spirit.

    Kevin Woo – Opening the Honmoon

    One of the standout moments of the festival was Kevin Woo’s performance. Having moved to Korea and debuting as a young teenager, Kevin has built an impressive career that spans over a decade in the K-pop industry. From his early days in XING and U-KISS to his solo ventures and musical theater work, Kevin’s dedication to his craft continues to shine.

    Recently, he’s stepped back into the spotlight as the singing voice of Mystery Saja in the hit animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” Fans—many of whom came out as longtime U-KISS supporters or new fans from the movie—braved the pouring rain just to see him perform live. Kevin treated the crowd to a dynamic setlist of his solo songs and even surprised everyone with a special “K-Pop Demon Hunters” collaboration stage with Big Ocean.

    After his performance, 200 lucky fans had the opportunity to purchase a fan sign session where they could meet Kevin Woo up close, share a few words, and leave with a cherished autograph. It was a moment full of smiles, gratitude, and memories. Kevin Woo will be having a solo concert on November 25th in West Hollywood, California.

    Big Ocean – Making Waves Everywhere

    The main headliner of the 2025 Korean Festival in Atlanta was Big Ocean, a innovative three-member boy band under Parastar Entertainment. Since their debut in 2024, members Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok has been making waves in the K-pop industry as the first boyband where all of the members are hard of hearing. Trained as global idols, they have learned multiple spoken and sign languages to connect with their fans. They recently wrapped up a successful US tour in August 2025. Many fans were ecstatic when they heard that Big Ocean was coming back to the US. Fans from across the country flew or drove to Georgia to show support for Big Ocean.

    Despite some technical issues and the rain, Big Ocean rocked the stage. They performed fan favorite songs like, “Flow,”  “Attention,” and “Bucket hat”. Each song brought thunderous cheers from the crowd, who sang, signed, and danced along in unison with the boys. Big Ocean also performed fun and new stages like “Troublemaker,” originally by HyunA and Jang Hyun Seung.

    Outside of their performance, many fans had the opportunity to interact and meet the members on both days of the festival. Fans had the opportunity to join Big Ocean for their Food Tour, purchase opportunities to do high-touch, fan signs, group photos, solo photos, buy merchandise from the members, or attend the fan café event. The fans said they really appreciated the opportunities for many fan engagements.

    Food, Fun, and Culture Galore

    Of course, no Korean Festival is complete without the feast. The air was filled with the scent of fish cake soup, tteokbokki, and sweet hotteok. But this year’s biggest food buzz came from a very special guest—Chef Jisun Jung, star of the Netflix hit Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars. Fans lined up to get a taste of her dishes and snap a quick selfie.

    Beyond food, the festival’s cultural zones gave everyone a chance to experience Korea hands-on:

    • Taekwondo demonstrations that got the crowd cheering
    • Hanbok-wearing photo ops
    • Traditional Korean games
    • Masked Singer singing contest and K-Pop cover dance performances that had local talent shining bright

    And, of course, endless rows of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts and skincare goodies to trendy K-pop merch. You couldn’t walk away empty-handed (or hungry).

    ** A special thank you to KORUS Entertainment and Parastar Entertainment for having me as the photographer for the event!

  • Se So Neon Lights Up Dinkytown with their “NOW” US Tour

    Se So Neon Lights Up Dinkytown with their “NOW” US Tour

    Dinkytown, Minneapolis.

    Korean indie rock band Se So Neon (새소년) stopped in Dinkytown as part of their North American “NOW” tour. Originally formed in 2016 as a project duo band, the band has undergone several lineup changes over the years. Today, Se So Neon is a solo project led by guitarist and lead vocalist Hwang So-Yoon, who performs under the stage name So!YoON!. The tour shares its name with her album released earlier this year, which features tracks such as “Jayu,” “Kidd,” “Twit Winter,” “Remember!,” and “New Romantic.”

    Joining So!YoON! on tour were Spencer Zahn on bass and Gyun on drums. Minnesota was one of the few stops without an opening act, and the show began about 30 minutes later than scheduled. Still, the energy in the crowd remained high as fans were excited and more than ready when Se So Neon finally took the stage.

    The Se So Neon show drew a diverse crowd. Some attendees were K-pop fans eager to show their support, while others were University of Minnesota students taking advantage of the concert’s close proximity to campus. Many in the audience, however, were long time fans who first became interested in Se So Neon because of the band’s distinctive and genre-defying sound.

    Se So Neon had a diverse setlist. They played slow songs, upbeat songs, and heavy rock songs. The most memorable performance was when she performed her song, “Remember!” Se So Neon took a moment to teach the audience the chorus to the song. She mentioned it was the easiest track to sing along to, thanks to its repetitive melody and simple lyrics. With a hint of shyness, she encouraged the crowd to groove along with her. Fans responded enthusiastically, cheering as they picked up the tune. As the chorus echoed through the venue, the audience sang and danced together in sync.

    Other than performing, So!YoON! took some time to talk with her fans. She mentioned that she really liked Minnesota. She walked around Minneapolis, walked across a nearby bridge, and took a short nap before returning to the concert venue to perform. She also mentioned that when she first started the tour, the songs felt very foreign to her– as if they weren’t her songs. But after performing them for each stop, they now feel as if they were her songs.

    They ended the concert with a short encore. They performed popular songs like their track, “Midnight Train”. After they completed their setlist, So!YoON! threw a tour t-shirt and guitar pick into the audience. Drummer Gyun grabbed the set list and handed it to a lucky fan at the front barricade. They ended their performance with a bow to the crowd before exiting the stage.

    Minneapolis is the 9th stop of their 16-stop US tour. Se So Neon will stop in Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland before they finish their tour with 4 stops in California (San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles). After they finish their US tour, they will go on their Asia tour, then end the year with an Australia tour.

  • KCON LA 2025 Recap: A Celebration of K-Culture in the Heart of LA

    KCON LA 2025 Recap: A Celebration of K-Culture in the Heart of LA

    Hundreds of fans lined up early Friday morning outside the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, eagerly waiting for wristbands to access GA or to enter the convention for Day 1 of KCON LA. Held every year in early August, KCON is the largest Korean convention in the U.S. Starting as a small 1 day event, KCON has grown to become a three day convention that brings thousands of fans to downtown LA. This year, the city of LA even officially declared August 1st as KCON Day.

    From morning until evening, fans immerse themselves in Korean culture. In the day time, fans can attend panels, visit booths, attend fan meetings, or watch performances at the LA Convention Center. In the evening, fans head over to the Crypto.com Arena to see the M Countdown concert.

    Way Better artists from20 and HELLO GLOOM performing at X Stage.
    NEWBEAT holding a fan event on the Busking Stage.

    This year, KCON LA featured three stages for fans to enjoy throughout the convention: the X Stage, Busking Stage, and Artist Stage. The X Stage and Busking Stage showcased smaller, up-and-coming artists, giving them a platform to connect with new audiences. Strategically located in the main hall and by the food trucks, these stages were designed to maximize exposure and draw in crowds, helping rising artists gain the attention of passing by fans.

    The Artist stage was placed in a different hall. Bigger or more senior artists like Hwasa, Zerobaseone (Zb1), IZNA, and Lee Young Ji performed at this stage. The Artist stage was like a short concert. Fans could watch their favorite artists perform their biggest hits in 45 minute sets. Fans can purchase different tiered tickets to get better views. Those with 1Day Plus tickets were allowed to go to the front area to see the artists perform up close.

    One of the panels this year featured renowned dancers Brian Puspos, Keone Madrid, and Aaliyah Flournoy. Brian is a famous choreographer and dancer who has choreographed dances for BTS, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown. Keone Madrid has choreographed for Jungkook, Justin Bieber, BTS, NCT, SHINee, Enhypen, etc. Aaliyah has danced and performed with Jennie, TXT, Stray Kids, and Jungkook. They talked about choreographing for K-pop artists, fun stories with K-Pop idols, and their dance journey. After their performances finished, Keone introduced Full Circle Boys and they performed on stage. After their performance, Full Circle Boys spent time with fans by taking photos with them.

    Aespa performs on the M Countdown Stage for KCON LA 2025 – Day 2.

    After the convention completed, fans walked to the building next door to watch the M Countdown stage. This year, Crypto.com Arena had a strict bag policy. Any bags bigger than 5″ x 9″ x 1″ was not allowed in the arena. Fans must pay to store their bags outside or go back to their hotel/car to store their items.

    KCON LA opened up M Countdown this year with a special guest appearance from popular actor Lee Byung-hun. Lee Byung-hun was recently in popular Netflix series, “Squid Game”. He also played the voice of Gwi-Ma (the demon king) in “KPop Demon Hunters”. Fans screamed in excitement from his surprise appearance.

    Ricky and Hanbin from Zerobaseone (ZB1) emceeing for the night.

    Hanbin from Zerobaseone continued as the main emcee for M Countdown. M Countdown is a music program in South Korea. It allows the top popular artists in Korea to perform their songs live on stage and broadcast throughout the nation. Hanbin has been the emcee for the show since 2023.

    Each night, M Countdown ended with a special stage. This special stage allowed fans to dance on stage with the headliner of the day. The headliners for each night differ each night. This year NCT 127 headlined Day 1, Monsta X headlined Day 2, and Hoshi and Woozi (HxW) of Seventeen headlined Day 3.

    Other artists that performed at M Countdown include JO1, NEWBEAT, 82 Major, Way Better artists from20 and HELLO GLOOM, IVE, Aespa, IZNA, NMIXX, Baby DONT Cry, MEOVV, Jackson Wang, KEY, Roy Kim, Zerobaseone, Hwasa, and Lee Youngji. A full list of artists who attended and performed at KCON LA can be found on the official KCON site.

  • When Music Speaks in Every Language: Big Ocean’s Inspiring U.S. Debut

    When Music Speaks in Every Language: Big Ocean’s Inspiring U.S. Debut

    Fans from across the Midwest traveled to Minnesota to see Korean pop group Big Ocean perform on their first U.S. tour, RIDE THE WAVE. Big Ocean is the first K-pop band made up entirely of members who are hard of hearing. The group consists of three members: PJ, Chanyeon, and Jiseok. Although they use hearing aids or cochlear implants, they also actively learn and use sign language, which is beautifully woven into their choreography—creating a distinctive fusion of dance and visual language. What makes them even more remarkable is their dedication to learning not only different sign languages, but also different spoken languages! Throughout the concert, the members can be seen engaging with fans in English, showcasing their commitment to creating meaningful communication and connecting with their fans.

    Despite the heat from the summer sun, fans were already lined up hours before the concert started. Many of the fans attended the Big Ocean Cafe event the day before. They were all super excited to see Big Ocean perform for the first time. Fans passed time by handing out freebies and friendship bracelets. They shared how they got into Big Ocean and how Big Ocean helped inspired them because they also had a disability. It was heartwarming to see how kind and supportive the fans were of each other and Big Ocean.

    After arrival, Big Ocean went to the green room to get ready. They did a quick rehearsal in between interviews and prepared for their concert. VIP holders were let in a little early. They lined up to do the high touch event and got their group photos taken. VIP holders were able to purchase the tour merchandise early then find a good spot by the barricade to watch sound check.

    After sound check ended, those with fast-passes and general access came into the venue. Before long, the venue was buzzing with excitement as fans looked for a good spot, bought tour merchandise, and conversed with their friends.

    Big Ocean performed many of their big hits. They performed fan favorites like “Attention”, “Bucket Hat,” and “Glow”. Each member also performed a solo piece. PJ performed his solo track, “SINKING”; Jiseok performed a dance cover of “Soda Pop” from K-POP Demon Hunters; and Chanyeon performed a dance cover of “Jennie” by Jennie from BLACKPINK. They finished the concert by having a surprise performance where the members secretly went to the crowd and balcony to greet the fans.

    After the concert ended, fans who bought add-ons stayed behind to do the fan signing event and take 1:1 selfies with Big Ocean.

    ** A special thank you to Parastar Entertainment, KorUS Entertainment, and mnkpopconnect for having me there to photograph and videograph the concert!**

    July 29th, 2025