[INTERVIEW] H//PE PRINCESS SHOW PASSION AT FIRST U.S. APPEARANCE: KCON LA 2026

KCON LA was full of fresh faces at the convention and MCOUNTDOWN stages this year, all full of determination and grit. This year, KCON LA brought H//PE Princess, a fierce girl group combining a multitude of skills and defying genres early on in their careers. H//PE Princess consists of the final winners of UNPRETTY RAPSTAR : HIP POP PRINCESS, COCO, YSY, YUJI, DOI, RINO, NIKO and SUJIN.

POP TOKKI got the chance to interview the girls about their background and hopes for their careers before their Toyota Music Den performance at KCON LA 2026.

POP TOKKI: As your group was formed on Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP PRINCESS, you all come from a survival show background. What are some of the challenges and strengths you feel forming from a survival show has given H//PE Princess?

DOI: So, our advantage or strength is that because we were formed as a result of the show, we are very strong in our live ability, live talent, and creativity. So whenever an opportunity is given, all of the members insist that we are given a hand mic. So, I would say that we are very strong in that live talent or live capability.

POP TOKKI: As a group you have created your own unique style that transcends genres. What steps do you take to achieve this goal?

NIKO: Each member has different strengths. Like vocals, rap, dance, track making, and some writing, we want to learn from each other’s strengths, express ourselves freely, and become a truly unique group.

POP TOKKI: You attended KCON Japan earlier this year, and this is your debut for KCON LA. What do you hope KCONers who may not be familiar with H//PE Princess will take away from your appearance here this year?

YUJU: Since this is our first time performing in the United States, we had a good deal of expectations for ourselves. However, the American audience has a good vibe, and we’re ready to enjoy that same vibe along with them.

POP TOKKI: Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans or KCONers seeing you this year?

YSY: We are a passionate group. Super passionate, and each member has their own color. Yes, we are rookies, but we will become superstars!

That passion translated throughout all their appearances at KCON LA 2026. Shortly after the interview, the group took the stage at KCON LA 2026’s Toyota Music Den, a new convention spotlighting rookie artists and genre-spanning performers as a mean to connect them with global fans.

At the MCOUNTDOWN stage that same night, H//PE Princess were able to show a crowd of 18,000 KCONers what they are truly made of. They performed “Stolen, One Day, DAISY, gOOd!, AWA, and a cover of Block B’s “Very Good.” You can watch their full Toyota Music Den Stage on YouTube.

Following this performance, the group was featured as part of the MCOUNTDOWN Showcase lineup, where they reached a broader audience of KCONers who attended from around the world.

Their appearance proved one thing: with their determination and unique color, H//PE Princess’ goal of showing off their passion was successful, making them a standout rookie group at this year’s KCON LA.