A Beginner's Guide to KCON LA 2026 (LEEEEET'S KCON!!)

KCON LA 2026 IS UPON US!!!! And the girls are sooooooo excited…..If you’re a KDROP regular, you know that Elle and Maddie are lifetime KCONers and go every year. They love learning about new groups and seeing them so up close (ONLY TIME WE GET BARRICADE IN LIFE). Every year, they come away with amazing memories, new groups they’re obsessed with, and a crap ton of Olive Young skin care samples (YOU KNOW)……We hope you enjoy this episode where Elle talks through every group that will be at KCON LA this year, what you can expect, and the girls chat what they are most excited about. (HINT: DON’T SLEEP ON JO1.)…..WHAT’S CURRENT IN KPOP:(03:09) ATEEZ’s “GOLDEN HOUR: Part.5” + “BAD” (she so bad bad bad bad bad bad bad)(07:39) V8 (SEVENTEEN)’s Album “V8” + Tracks “singasong”, “girlsnboys”, “mia” + “8DM” (party music)(10:00) *DEBUT* VAYONN’s “MUAH!” + Album “Youth Today” (KEYVITUP’s brother group)(14:13) TRENDZ’s “On My Knees” (never heard of them, but love this song)(16:21) JAEHYUN’s “99 Degrees” (OH. HE’S SO BACK.)(18:37) YEONJUN’s Album “NO LABELS: PART 02” (confidence king)(19:44) *DEBUT* idntt’s final sub-unit “<itsnotover>” with Title Track “Kids Return” (rookie of the year material, honestly!)(25:14) Picheolin’s “Mi-cheo Mi-cheo” (no words. perfection)(27:48) HUTA (Lee Minhyuk)’s “Icy & Spicy” + EP “TEMPERATURE” (abs)(29:57) 8TURN’s “Stagefright” + “8PM” (as always, Maddie’s obsessed)(32:53) LUN8’s “SNEAKERS” + EP “Off the Grid” (what is happening)(35:20) ONE PACT’s “U so hot” + “Whts yo name” (cant wait to see these at KCON!!)(37:14) NouerA’s “.exe” + EP “.exe” (they just keep getting better and better!!)(40:53) POW’s “Flavor” + “Still Choosing You” (the concept is pastels)….(42:56) Who won the comebacks this month?…..(44:12) What we’re looking forward to in KPop / Other KPop news(54:02) BTS EXPRESS…..KCON LA 2026 - What we’re looking forward to!(1:12:10) What even is KCON? (1:14:06) Festival grounds - What to expect + groups that will be there(1:15:58) Artist stage + Dreamstage Auditions(1:23:44) Toyota Den Showcase Stage(1:28:54) Dance Stage(1:31:21) “K-Soul City” Night Market booths (GET THOSE OLIVE YOUNG SAMPLES)(1:32:48) Which Olive Young brands to look out for + our K-Beauty recommendations(1:35:41) Food options + Special Chef “Edward Lee”(1:37:30) K-Story Zone with actors Lee Junhyuk, Park Eunbin + Sangheon Lee(1:42:11) M-Countdown stage at Crypto.com Arena….(1:54:23) What Maddie + Elle are most excited for KCON LA 2026!…..*Joshua Hong interview postponed due to SEVENTEEN schedule activities*.....If you're new to THE KDROP, welcome!! We are so glad you are here! ….Also check out our sister-podcast - YA GIRL’S KDrama Podcast - if that's your thing! (@yagirl_kdramapod) (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/yagirl_kdramapod?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠) ….. Before you do anything else, FOLLOW THE K.DROP ON INSTAGRAM! For real, please come and say hey to us over the socials! @the.kdrop_kpop_pod⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the.kdrop_kpop_pod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠....And Christina has an exclusive BTS instagram, so give that a follow!   https://www.instagram.com/bts_express_the.kdrop?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==.... Finally, jump on  YA GIRL’s Discord!! It's where all the friends of YA GIRL gather and talk about hot Korean men. You really don't wanna miss it. ⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/rFmEgTJpJ8⁠