GOT7, NCT 127, Wanna One, KARD, and more bring down the house for KCON 2017 LA Day 2 > K-POP

​Photo: GOT7 / KCON 2017 LA / CJ E&M / Lippin Group

Day 2 of KCON 2017 LA presented by Toyota came and went like a storm, similar to the descent of the boy groups that graced fans with their presence on the second concert night. With the exception of lovely soloist Heize and charming girl group Oh My Girl, as well as hot co-ed group KARD, the boy bands took over Staples Center for the night and were met with frenzied screaming from fangirls all around.

​

‘Hola Hola’: KARD makes KCON debut at Staples Center

Having debuted just a month prior, KARD showed no signs of nervousness in performing on a large stage. As a matter of fact, the co-ed group had previously embarked on a North American and South American tour before debut, a first in KPOP history. As such, KARD was familiar with performing in front of adoring fans in the US. Kicking off the night with their recent tropical number ‘Hola Hola’, the quartet then performed ‘Don’t Recall’ and ‘Oh Na Na’. The set of songs left fans begging for more and only served to increase the energy felt during the night. Member BM, one of LA’s native reps of the night, even got the crowd singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to fellow member Somin, nearly leaving her in tears. We know that good things are in store for them!

​

Let’s get ‘Closer’ with Oh My Girl

Oh My Gㅋr’s special guests for KCON 2017 LA and delighted fans with their numerous fan engagements and interactions. Though short a member in Arin, who is recuperating with her health-related issues, the remaining 7 members made sure that fans couldn’t feel the absence. Dressed in white and red poofy dresses, the lovable group delved straight into their fast tempo song, the loud and quirky ‘Coloring Book’. The girl group then introduced themselves to the crowd, even speaking in English, especially Seunghee, allowing the audience to fall in love with them even more. The members wrapped up their stint on the stage with the fantasy, ethereal melody of ‘Closer’. Come again next year as a regular guest, ladies!

​

Heize’s ‘Star’ shines bright in the night

The only female soloist to perform at KCON this year, Heize made her breakthrough in the Korean music industry this year, holding the record for most days at #1 on the song charts this year. She charmed many concert goers with her affable personality. She displayed her vocals through ‘Don’t Know You’, filling the stadium with her expressive and emotional vocals. Her final song of the night was ‘Star’ and to help keep the ambience of the song, the jumbotrons instructed everyone to turn on the flashlights of their phone, transforming the stadium into a starry night. Heize will definitely shine bright like a star for years to come.

Wanna One is ‘Energetic’ with the crowd

If you heard the screams, you would’ve thought that a highly popular veteran group had made its way to the center stage. We would’ve forgiven you for thinking so, with the screams and cheers that reverberated the stadium when hot rookie groups Wanna One opened their performance with ‘Energetic’. An intriguing choreography that began with a piano formation, the 11 members, who were chosen by the Korean public through the popular survival show ‘Produce 101 Season 2’, showed every inch of professionalism, never betraying the fact that they had just debuted just two weeks prior. The crowd was on their feet when the group switched over to perform ‘Burn It Up’, which was a title track contender. If ‘Energetic’ focused on the tropical house trend that’s been prevalent in KPOP music nowadays, ‘Burn It Up’ made sure fans couldn’t forget their sexier side. The group would later take the stage once more to perform a shortened version of ‘Never’ before performing the iconic ‘Nayana’ song. Perhaps this will not be the last time fans will get to see Wanna One in the States.

​

Kim Tae Woo showers fans with his ‘Love Rain’

It’s always something to watch one of the first generation idols perform with the newer generations as it was these first generation idols that paved the way for the current idols. Kim Tae Woo of g.o.d. graced fans with his presence, first performing a special stage with Astro for ‘One Candle’ that allowed Astro to show off their cover of the song before Kim Tae Woo proved why this song was a classic. He then performed his most recent song ‘Following’ before belting out his famous solo song ‘Love Rain’ that had fans chanting and singing along. Such a classic that fans were treated to.

​

Astro wows once ‘Again’ at KCON LA

The only performer from last year that was extended an invitation, Astro delighted fans once more. No longer dressed in the bright yellow and green ensemble that they wore last year, Astro wore a much sleeker, more chic, and upgraded wardrobe that seemed to have transformed the members from babies to young men. Though they had put on a suave performance for ‘Baby’, they were still their sweet, bright selves and flashed big smiles as they sang ‘Polaris’, ‘Again’, and summer bop ‘Breathless’. They even interacted with fans through ‘Pinata Time’, where they had to quickly design shirts within a minute before firing them off into the crowd. Fans were clamoring for more when they left the stage, but hopefully they’ll return again next year after quickly becoming one of LA’s favorite performers at KCON.

Call the ‘Firetruck’: NCT 127 drops a ‘Cherry Bomb’

SM Entertainment’s contribution to KCON for this year, NCT 127 made its debut on North American soil, and what a debut. Dressed in all white, NCT 127 performed their debut track, ‘Firetruck’, unleashing the energy and making the stadium lit. Members Johnny and Doyoung then joined the group for a total of 9 as they performed ‘Limitless’ before deeming themselves as the ‘biggest on this stage’ and oozing confidence and swagger with their popping dance moves in ‘Cherry Bomb’. Despite a few mic technicalities that led to some cute moments between members, NCT 127 finished their performances with a bang.

​

‘Tomorrow, Today’, GOT7 will ‘Never Ever’ let fans forget

The last act of the night belonged to GOT7, who returned to LA this time as 7 after performing at KCON 2015 LA. However, before the entire group came to the stage, JJ Project (JB and Jinyoung) enthralled viewers with their heart-tugging performance for ‘Tomorrow, Today’ that mirrored struggles that young people face when making decisions. The group made the stadium vibrate with their hardhitting choreography and beats for ‘Never Ever’ before also engaging in ‘Pinata Time’. This time around, BamBam, Youngjae, and Jackson carried out the ‘Proposal Time’ that resulted on the screen, culminating in acting out a drama scene (BamBam), serenading fans (Youngjae), and hugging two lucky fans (Jackson). Following that, the group made a 180 degree turn for ‘Everyday’, a slow, serene ballad, before switching gears once more for hip-hop ‘Hard Carry’. Unfortunately, this marked the last performance for the evening, but don’t worry – GOT7 will be returning with new music soon, as they teased fans.

With that drew a close to yet another successful KCON LA; we know that it’ll be even bigger next year! For more pictures from the Red Carpet, check them out on Facebook here.

Korea.com would like to thank The Lippin Group​ for extending a media invitation to KCON 2016 LA Presented by Toyota, and CJ E&M, ​Mnet America​, ​Toyota​, ​KCON USA​, and ​Staples Center/LA Convention Center​ for hosting and working hard to make this 3-day event a success.