Fans line up to see their favorites at KCON 2017, which took place at the LA Convention Center and this year returns to the same location. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images) GETTY IMAGES
What’s your K-Q—which is to say, how much do you know about Korean drama? Too much? Not enough? K-drama fans attending LA’s KCON this weekend can test their K-Q by playing a fast-paced trivia game set up at the KOCOWA booth. It works like a game show complete with buzzing and is set in consoles for two to six players. The only way to prepare is to watch a lot of dramas, which can be pretty enjoyable. Already watch a lot of dramas? That’s a plus in this game.
In the K-Q trivia game contestants will face a monitor. Slowly, pixel by pixel, a picture of a famous k-drama scene or actor will begin to appear on the screen. As these images appear, clues will be given to the contestants. The first contestant/team to buzz in and identify the image on the screen gets a point. Teams with the most points can win collectible figurines, free subscriptions to the Korean content streamer, plus autographed cards and pamphlets from idols and actors.
Kim So-hye stars in the new KOCOWA drama ‘My Lovely Boxer.’ KOCOWA
While fans visit the booth they can also check out information about new k-dramas such as My Lovely Boxer, as well as clips from anticipated shows such as NCT Universe: LASTART and the latest season of EXO’s Travel The World On A Ladder. The booth will also feature information about fan favorites such as Weightlifting Fairy, ExtraOrdinary You, Taxi Driver, Dr. Romantic, Bad Prosecutor as well as reality and k-pop programs on a giant viewing screen. There will be popcorn for snacking.
For the festival KOCOWA teamed up with KOCCA—the Korea Creative Content Agency, a South Korean governmental agency promoting the advancement of the Korean content industry—and with KIIS-FM, which is doing a pop-up village outside the center.
“We are excited to be back at this year’s KCON with KOCOWA+ to meet and engage with these diehard K-content fans,” said Sungho Ju, director of KOCCA USA. “ We will continue to support the Korean content industry so that more audiences worldwide will have a chance to be introduced to and fall in love with the Korean culture and content.”
KOCOWA was launched by wA, a global joint company between wavve, SK Square Americas and the Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, & SBS. The subscription video streaming platform began offering Korean content in the US in 2017.
KCON, an international festival that celebrates Korean culture and music, was first launched in LA in 2012. This year’s festival runs from Aug. 18 to 20. Attendance has grown steadily along with the growing popularity of k-media. Two years later 42,000 fans attended. In 2022 the LA KCON drew 90,000 fans.
A new 16-episode drama based on a webcomic about an ex-Navy officer turned taxi driver after his mother’s death by a serial killer. Do-Ki [Lee Je Hoon] now works for the Rainbow Taxi company delivering justice to the underserved with their straight to the point company motto: “Don’t Die, get Revenge. We’ll Do it for You.”
The penthouse
The award-winning story about Korea’s high society and the lengths they will take to stay on top, including revenge, betrayal, and even murder. One of 2020s biggest hits, and recognized at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards and the 2021 Baeksang Awards for it’s ensemble cast. The revenge continues with Season 3 premiering summer 2021.
Home Alone
Home Alone is a reality show that captures the everyday lives of your favorite celebrities in the most intimate setting, their homes. The show invites viewers to closely observe how celebrities actually live during their downtime when not performing on stage or acting on set. With Jun Hyun Moo, Park Na Rae, Han Hye Jin, and Lee Si Eon as the hosts, they observe the lives of their weekly celebrity guests, including actors and actresses, models, athletes, and comedians. Each episode has the hosts comment on their guest’s daily life which they have recorded in a “Big Brother” style format for everyone to view. No matter the gender, lifestyle, or personality, each celebrity has one thing in common – they all live alone!
Show Music Core
Since it’s inception in 2005, Show! Music Core is a music show that strives to be unique. Each week, a variety of artists perform, while viewers can listen, see, and experience the best that K-Pop has to offer. Cha Eun Woo and Xi Yeon introduce the top artists of the week, and viewers vote on their 3 favorite songs. Sing and dance along with your favorites and see which artists and songs will win the most popular song of the week.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
What else could there be to life other than barbells and heavy weights? Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is a weightlifting phenom who has only focused on barbells her entire life while growing up with her single father, Kim Chang Gul (Ahn Gil Kang), a former weightlifter. However, Kim Bok-joo’s world is turned upside down when she starts to realize that there’s a little more to life than just lifting weights and starts to begrudgingly develop a love interest in Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk). A boy she considers a distraction in her journey to receiving a gold medal.
Running Man
Running Man is a reality-competition show with a fixed cast starring Yu Jae Seok, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Jee Seok Jin, Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, Jeon So Min, and Yang Se Chan. On special occasions they host celebrity guests such as BTS or even American actors such as Ryan Reynolds. In each episode, they must all complete a series of missions to win and be rewarded. Missions can range from simple games like the Egg and Spoon Race, Telephone, or more elaborate ones like, Capture the Flag inside an entire department store or even compete in Olympic style sports. Sometimes they work as a team and cooperate to reach a common goal. Other times they betray each other throughout the competition in order to win all the honor and glory for themselves. Each mission is action-packed and hilarious as each member tries to beat each other using their wits and skills. Each week is filled with fun that includes trust and betrayal, knowledge and skills, physical strengths, and outrageous penalties. You will cry laughing from all of their crazy antics!
Music Bank K-Chart
Music Bank K-Chart is KBS’s longest running music show and features the top 50 songs of the week. Every episode is a concert from all the popular artists of the week, and you can watch it all from the comforts of your home. From newly debuted rookies, artists comebacks, indie bands, globally recognized idol groups, and much more, there is something to satisfy all your K-pop needs. With eye-catching performances and beautiful melodies that will echo in your heart, this concert showcase will even attract the K-pop novice. Tune-in every week to see which artist and song will win the most popular song of the week.
The King of Mask Singer
The King of Mask Singer is the popular South Korean singing competition show, where contestants wear masks to hide their identity. The purpose of the mask is to dispel the prejudice that people often have of singers. Every week, the judges and the audience must vote for who will become the next King of Mask Singer. The show’s global recognition has even been adapted by FOX as, “The Masked Singer”, and has also been adapted around the world.
SBS Inkigayo
Since its inception in 2000, SBS Inkigayo has been a weekend music show which introduces viewers to Korea’s most popular artists. Every Sunday, famous artists as well as up and coming talent perform in front of a live audience. In order to get a better understanding of the music, the hosts interview their guests to showcase the songs from their recent singles and albums. Inkigayo also highlights each week’s trending songs and ends each episode by awarding the most popular artist. Tune-in to see who is the winner of the week, and enjoy the most popular K-Pop songs.
