Complete Guide to KCON 2012

*~*~ THE PAGE HAS BEEN REVAMPED FOR EASIER READING *~*~

Now you have a complete guide to KCON 2012, All things Hallyu, the first K-pop Convention in the USA. What are you waiting for? JOIN THE MOVEMENT and buy your tickets to KCON today!!

Since KCon doesn’t really have an FAQ page on their website and some of the info they post on their FB page gets buried under the fans’ comments, I’ve decided to compile all of the info I have found so far. This is based on what they have released on their Facebook account, Twitter account and official website.

Watch the KCON 2012 TEASER VIDEO.

when: Oct. 13, 2012, Saturday

where: Verizon Amphitheater (8808 Irvine Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618), Irvine, California

Ticket prices: $40 to $100 (excluding fees)

Buy tickets at Ticketmaster

Discounted tickets: Get discounted tickets to KCON by entering the code “FLOWSION12” at the LiveNation site.

Schedule of events *UPDATED*

Convention starts at 10:00 AM

Concert starts at 7:30PM

NOTE: Schedule for Autograph signing coming soon!!

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Concert Line-up

4Minute

VIXX

B.A.P

EXO-M

G.NA

Nu’est

Concert Emcees

G.NA

Danny Im of 1TYM

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Opening Acts

Dumbfoundead – He is a hip-hop artist and has released three albums: Super Barrio Brothers, Fun With Dumb and Clockwise. His debut solo album titled DFD was released in Nov 2011. He has collaborated with artists such as Epik High, Jay Park, Wax & Breezy Lovejoy. Follow him on @Dumbfoundead.

– He is a hip-hop artist and has released three albums: Super Barrio Brothers, Fun With Dumb and Clockwise. His debut solo album titled DFD was released in Nov 2011. He has collaborated with artists such as Epik High, Jay Park, Wax & Breezy Lovejoy. Follow him on @Dumbfoundead. AJ Rafael – He is a Filipino-American musician and a YouTube celebrity. He is best known for his original songs such as “I Just Want You” and “We Could Happen”. Follow him on @AJRafael.

General Info

Your ticket grants you access to the entire event & all activities — meaning it gets you into the convention, all the panels, workshops, autograph signings and the concert.

If you just want to attend the convention and not the concert, you still need to purchase the ticket through TicketMaster and choose a seat.

If you just want to attend the concert and not the convention, purchase the ticket through TicketMaster.

The ticket is single entry only. No re-entry. This means if you leave the venue, you cannot go back in again. (I’m not sure if going to the parking lot to your car is considered as “leaving.”)

Kcon is not accepting volunteers right now.

Banners: Fans can bring banners to support the groups performing. However, make sure they are small so they won’t block the view of others.

VIP Tickets

It was confirmed on Sep. 6 that VIP tickets are sold out .

. For the convention and its activities, it doesn’t matter if you have a VIP ticket or not. Everyone has access to the same thing.

The difference is in the concert. VIP ticket holders have access to the pre-show/rehearsals and will have a special line to enter the concert venue.

Rehearsal time will be released soon.

Seating for VIP ticket holders is first come, first serve. However, lining up will not start until a later time to ensure people will have fun at the convention and not line-up all day.

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Special Guests

Simon & Martina from Eat Your Kimchi — They are famous for their YouTube channel EatYourKimchi where they do reviews of the hottest k-pop songs, impersonations & share their experiences of living in South Korea. Watch their video about KCON here. Follow them on @EatYourKimchi.

— They are famous for their YouTube channel EatYourKimchi where they do reviews of the hottest k-pop songs, impersonations & share their experiences of living in South Korea. Watch their video about KCON here. Follow them on @EatYourKimchi. Kpop choreographers Aimee Lee Lucas , Kyle Hanagami , Rino Nakasone & Ellen Kim — “These four have choreographed and worked with many of K-POPs top stars including: Kim Hyung Joong, 샤이니(SHINee), 슈퍼주니어(Super Junior), 보아(BoA), 에프엑스 f(x), BIGBANG, 2NE1, SE7EN After School, 2AM and more!! Get ready for an awesome K-POP Workshop and Panel by these talent dancers” (KCONUSA Facebook)

, , & — “These four have choreographed and worked with many of K-POPs top stars including: Kim Hyung Joong, 샤이니(SHINee), 슈퍼주니어(Super Junior), 보아(BoA), 에프엑스 f(x), BIGBANG, 2NE1, SE7EN After School, 2AM and more!! Get ready for an awesome K-POP Workshop and Panel by these talent dancers” (KCONUSA Facebook) Chad Future (aka David Lehre) — He is an artist, singer and an award-winning director. He’s just released his first single, “HELLO”. You can follow him on @Chad_Future.

(aka David Lehre) — He is an artist, singer and an award-winning director. He’s just released his first single, “HELLO”. You can follow him on @Chad_Future. Drew Ryan Scott — He is an American singer, songwriter, producer and vocal producer. He’s worked with numerous top K-pop artists such as SS501, SHINee, TVXQ, Super Junior, SNSD, Taeyang, Brian Joo, Seo in Guk, and Son Dam B. Follow him on @DrewRyanScott.

— He is an American singer, songwriter, producer and vocal producer. He’s worked with numerous top K-pop artists such as SS501, SHINee, TVXQ, Super Junior, SNSD, Taeyang, Brian Joo, Seo in Guk, and Son Dam B. Follow him on @DrewRyanScott. JDRelic — He is a songwriter, producer and engineer. He has worked with K-pop artists like UKiss, Baek Ji Young and Spica. Follow him on @JDRelic.

— He is a songwriter, producer and engineer. He has worked with K-pop artists like UKiss, Baek Ji Young and Spica. Follow him on @JDRelic. JustKiddingFilms — Founded by Bart Kwan and Joe Jo, Just Kidding Films is a comedic phenomenon known to unabashedly tackle social, contemporary, and cultural issues, while ingeneously capturing and playing to universal sentiments. (Source: JustKiddingFilms Official website) Follow them on @JKFilms.

— Founded by Bart Kwan and Joe Jo, Just Kidding Films is a comedic phenomenon known to unabashedly tackle social, contemporary, and cultural issues, while ingeneously capturing and playing to universal sentiments. (Source: JustKiddingFilms Official website) Follow them on @JKFilms. David So — Starting out as a local stand-up comedian, David So is now known as a YouTube celebrity for his comedic impersonations and stories. Follow him on @DavidSoComedy.

— Starting out as a local stand-up comedian, David So is now known as a YouTube celebrity for his comedic impersonations and stories. Follow him on @DavidSoComedy. Jen of From Head To Toe — Jen, an artist at heart, is a makeup artist and YouTube Blogger. She’s been blogging since 2008 and has tons of awesome reviews and tutorials up on YouTube! She will be sharing her tips as well as be featured on the fashion / makeup aspect of KCON! (KCONUSA Facebook) Follow her on @FrmHeadToToe

— Jen, an artist at heart, is a makeup artist and YouTube Blogger. She’s been blogging since 2008 and has tons of awesome reviews and tutorials up on YouTube! She will be sharing her tips as well as be featured on the fashion / makeup aspect of KCON! (KCONUSA Facebook) Follow her on @FrmHeadToToe Heejun Han – He was a contestant in the 11th season of American Idol and finished in ninth place. He took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012 with the other Top 10 contestants. Follow him on @HHanAI11.

– He was a contestant in the 11th season of American Idol and finished in ninth place. He took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012 with the other Top 10 contestants. Follow him on @HHanAI11. Blue Whale Brothers – They are the winners of Korea’s Got Talent 2 & World Poppin Champions!!

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Official DJ

Peter Rocks — He is a producer for Jungle Entertainment’s M.I.B, Far East Movement and numerous other highly known artists! He will be playing all the top hits in K-POP, kpop mashups and even some 90’s kpop for all those old-school fans! (KCONUSA Twitter) Follow him on @MyNinjaClothing and @MisterXRocks.

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Official KCON Merchandise

Kcon will be selling CDs, Posters, Postcards, T-Shirts and more.

Get the chance to win a PRIVATE PHOTO SESSION with B.A.P, EXO-M or 4Minute when you buy any KCON merchandise!! There will be three (3) items with a golden ticket each hidden in the merchandise. Whether you pre-order via the website or buy them during the convention, you get a chance of winning.

Visit the KCON shop today!

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Contest #1 — Win a PHOTO SESSION with B.A.P and Matoki!! *ENDED*

Buy your KCON tickets before Sept. 16, Sunday and you will be automatically entered into the contest. If you have your ticket already, you are automatically entered.

The winner(s) will get a chance to meet B.A.P and Matoki and have a photo session with them!

The winner(s) will be able to bring nine (9) of his/her friends to the photo session.

It hasn’t been announced how many winners will be chosen.

The winner has been announced! Congratulations to Gale Wakabayashi!

Contest #2 — Verizon Fly-Away Sweepstakes to KCON

Win a Trip for four to KCON 2012

One lucky Grand Prize Winner will receive — a dinner date with a Kpop star, airfare, two-night hotel stay and four (4) VIP tickets to KCON

Six (6) Runners Up will each receive — Framed/Autographed posters and/or T-shirt, LG Smartphone with $125 Verizon Wireless Gift Card

Contest ends on Oct. 3, 2012

Go to http://www.verizoninsider.com/kcon for complete info

Contest #3 – Win a PHOTO SESSION with EXO-M!! *ENDED*

To enter, share the video link and tag KCON on Facebook or tag @KCONUSA on Twitter.

Get creative with your messages but don’t spam either.

Prize: The winner(s) will get a chance to meet EXO-M and have a photo session with them!

It hasn’t been announced how many winners will be chosen.

The winner has been announced. Congratulations to Lanae Dara!!

Contest #4 – Guest DJ Mix Contest

Use the music from any of the KCON artists attending to create the best mix. The artists attending are B.A.P, VIXX, EXO-M, 4Minute, Nu’est, G.NA and Danny Im.

The mixes will be judged by both the KCON staff and KCON attendees.

To enter, email tracks to djcontest@kconusa.com by Monday, October 1st at 5PM PDT.

The videos with the entries will be uploaded at the KCON SoundCloud page, where the fans will be able to vote.

Prize: The winner will be flown out to perform live at KCON 2012 on Oct. 13 in Irvine, CA with the official DJ Peter Rocks.

Contest #5 – K-Pop Cosplay Masquerade

KCON partnered with Anime Expo for this contest

Scouts will be roaming the convention venue to pick out the best cosplay outfits mirroring famous entertainment groups.

Attendees may also register at the Anime Expo Booth.

The people chosen by the judges will be featured in a masquerade will showcase their costumes and performances on stage.

The judging panel will be comprised of special guests and some of the best cosplayers in the country.

Read more at the Anime Expo site

Contest by 626 Night Market – Win tickets!!

Share this Facebook post from the 626 Night Market FB page.

There will be 2 winners who will get 2 tickets each.

Contest ends on Oct. 6, 2012

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Camera Policy

Allowed cameras: Non-professional, non-flash, still photography cameras, disposable cameras, point-and-shoot cameras, cameras with no interchangeable lens, cameras with no telephoto lens

Non-professional, non-flash, still photography cameras, disposable cameras, point-and-shoot cameras, cameras with no interchangeable lens, cameras with no telephoto lens NOT allowed: Professional cameras, DSLRs, cameras with interchangeable lens

Professional cameras, DSLRs, cameras with interchangeable lens You can take photos anywhere you want at the event as long as you follow the camera policy.

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Autograph Signing Session

All artists attending KCON will be doing autograph sessions.

Each group (idol group) will have their own time slot for the autograph session. They will also have their own table and another table/booth for the gifts.

There will only be one (1) line per group so you will be able to get an autograph from all the members of the group when you attend that autograph session.

You can line-up as early as 30 minutes before each session, not earlier. This will be a strict line-up.

Items that can be autographed: Official merchandise of the artists (albums, posters), official KCON merchandise (t-shirts) [NOTE: KCON has said they will announce more details on what merchandise will be sold soon.]

If you already have official merchandise, you can bring them with you and get them signed.

Only 1 item per artist/group per session can be autographed. (Eg. 1 item for B.A.P., 1 item for VIXX, etc.)

No additional fee for the autograph session. Your KCON ticket gives you access to it.

Photos:

>> You are not allowed to take a picture with the artist due to time constraints. You cannot ask the artist to pose for a picture.

>> You are allowed to take pictures while in line.

>> You are allowed to have other people take your picture while the autograph session is going on. For example, you can ask your friend who is in line with you to take your picture while the artist is signing.

>> You are not allowed to take a picture with the artist due to time constraints. You cannot ask the artist to pose for a picture. >> You are allowed to take pictures while in line. >> You are allowed to have other people take your picture while the autograph session is going on. For example, you can ask your friend who is in line with you to take your picture while the artist is signing. Hugging the artist or giving them a handshake is NOT allowed.

Giving gifts:

>> You are allowed to give gifts to the artists BUT DO NOT hand the gifts directly to them.

>> You may show your gift to the artist while he is signing.

>> When you get to the end of the table, there will be another table/booth after it. Place your gifts on that table/booth.

>> The table/booth for gifts will be clearly marked.

>> KCON staff will take the gifts backstage, take pictures of them & give them directly to the artists.

>> You are NOT allowed to give any food or water as gifts.

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Food Concessionaire

Seoul Sausage – It is a food company that specializes in Korean BBQ sausages. They just won the Great Food Truck Race and will be opening a restaurant in KTown in LA soon!! Follow them on @SeoulSausage.

Policy on outside Food & Drinks

Only allowed item is — One non-alcoholic 24-oz. beverage per person in a plastic factory-sealed container.

No other outside food & drinks are allowed.

Coolers & picnic baskets are not allowed.

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If you have clarifications or questions, feel free to comment below or mention me at @sportylorrie.

Disclosure: I do not work for KCon, Koreaboo or MNet and I’m not affiliated with them in anyway.