The surprises from KCON LA 2026 do not stop: this year’s KCON LA is offering a mix of returning acts and unforgettable debuts you will not want to miss!
KCON LA 2026 announce WANNA ONE as this year’s special performers. The group of nine currently active members will make their return to KCON LA for the first time in nine years following the group’s reunion. They will perform on the first day of KCON LA 2026, on August 14.
KCON has a strong history of being the home for major K-pop acts to perform early in their careers to superstardom, with acts like BTS, SEVENTEEN, ATEEZ, TWICE and more all having graced the KCON stage over the years. WANNA ONE’s return to the event marks a special moment in the group’s reunion, as they are able to reconnect with American fans while reliving their first experiences as a group in the States.
The announcements don’t end with WANNA ONE — also announced were a second round of special stages as well as showcase performances to bring KCONers a lineup of stages that can only be viewed at KCON LA 2026!
Among the newly announced special stages, ZEROBASEONE will perform their track “Exotic” for the first time. The song was a standout track on the group’s latest release ‘Ascend-’ and fans are eagerly looking forward to the newly-restructured group’s return to the KCON LA stage. KIM TAERAE of ZEROBASEONE will also perform a solo cover IU’s “Love wins all.”
Rookie girl group MEOVV will cover BLACKPINK’s “JUMP,” and ALPHA DRIVE ONE will partner with WING to deliver iconic stages that blend beatboxing and K-pop performance.
Last but not least, a trio of M COUNTDOWN MCs, SO JUNG HWAN (TREASURE), PARK GUN WOOK (ZEROBASEONE), and Kyehoon (KickFlip) will come together for a special stage of their own at KCON LA 2026.
Also announced were the songs for one of the event’s highly anticipated performances: DREAM STAGE. The stages will feature NCT 127, ILLIT, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the stage with their favorite K-pop artists, only at this event.
At this year’s festival, a genre-crossing lineup spanning K-pop rookies, hip-hop and singer-songwriters will perform and connect with fans across the festival’s many stages.
Artists making their KCON LA debut include ALPHA DRIVE ONE, Anderson . Paak, cosmosy, EVAN, H//PE Princess, ILLIT, KEYVITUP, KickFlip, KO1KEYZ, MODYSSEY, NEXZ, ONE PACT, RESCENE, SANTOS BRAVOS, So!YoON!, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, WING, and &TEAM.
Who are you excited to see at KCON LA 2026? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter/X!
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