KCON LA Delivers One of the Best K-pop Concerts Ever

Boasting one of the best lineups in all of KCON history KCON LA shut down the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. The final night of KCON LA 2025, presented on Mnet’s Sunday night broadcast, closed out the weekend in spectacular fashion—an electrifying mix of veteran icons, rising stars, and energetic staging that left fans on their feet until the very last beat. What began with warm-up acts ifeye and NEWBEAT soon morphed into an epic showcase, with each performance layering more energy, more intensity, and more emotion into the already packed night.

The concert was steered by charismatic hosts Zhang Hao and Hanbin of ZEROBASEONE, whose playful chemistry and ease on stage grounded the night’s momentum while keeping the energy flowing. Soon the stage exploded with HWASA, who opened her set with “Maria” before delivering a powerful MAMAMOO medley. Her dynamic presence and vocal strength felt like a declaration: this would not be a mellow night.

Kep1er followed, delivering an eclectic set full of swagger and softness, including glitch‑pop bangers and a preview of their upcoming track “Bubble Gum,” complete with pulsing lights and bold choreography. RIIZE carried a heavier weight of expectation into their set, and they delivered—“Boom Boom Bass” and “Fly Up” shattered any doubts about their place among the festival’s top acts. Their confidence on that mainstage carried a sense of arrival.

Then (G)I‑DLE claimed the spotlight. Their performance — from “Super Lady” to “Good Thing” and “Wife”—rewrote the rulebook on girl power in the arena. Their stagecraft, vocals, and interplay with the crowd felt honed, sharp, and fearless. And that led us into one of the night’s most anticipated moments: the solo presence of KEY from SHINee. With commanding delivery of “CoolAs,” “Gasoline,” and other hits, he turned the arena into his domain, proving once again why he’s a standout among idols turned soloists. In a surprise but heartfelt move, he also revealed U.S. tour dates that sent fans into ecstasy.

Toward the end, IZNA returned with a spirited cover of “FIESTA,” paying homage to K‑pop’s lineage, before the night’s emotional crescendo: HxW, SEVENTEEN’s new subunit (Hoshi + Woozi), stepping into the headlining slot. They delivered a masterclass in restraint, power, and contrast—combining the gritty energy of “BRING IT” with softer textures like “ECHO” and playful strands of “STUPID IDIOT.” Their set didn’t feel like a closing act so much as the final statement: KCON LA 2025 was over, but the future of K‑pop had just been glimpsed.

Throughout the night dancers, visuals, and sound swelled and receded in perfect synchrony with the performers, reminding everyone present how high the bar has become. There were no slow moments, only transitions: powerful to intimate, grand to minimal, nostalgic to fresh. As the final notes faded and the performers took their bows in one final lap, the applause lasted. When the lights came up, fans left buzzing. This Sunday night showcase didn’t just close the festival—it affirmed that KCON continues to evolve as a televised, global celebration of Korean music.