KCON LA 2025, held from August 1 to 3, was billed as a prime opportunity for K-pop artists to reach global audiences. aespa, IVE, MEOVV, Jackson Wang, MONSTA X, NCT 127, CRAVITY, izna, RIIZE, and more performed at this year’s KCON in LA.
A recent exclusive report by My Daily exposes the heavy financial burden placed on agencies and artists participating in the event. The exposé has led to massive backlash over potential exploitation in the name of opportunity.
High Costs for Agencies and Artists
According to My Daily’s investigation on August 8, agencies representing rookie artists who performed on the “X STAGE,” a segment designed to introduce new talents, had to shoulder nearly all expenses related to participation.
These costs included airfare, lodging, car rentals, and food for the artists and their accompanying staff. For a typical team of about 20 people, these expenses reportedly approached 100 million won (approximately $72,000).
Despite CJ ENM, the organizer, claiming that meals were provided on-site, My Daily reported that the actual situation was far from adequate. Idols and staff had to visit the concert venue during their free time to eat, as proper meals were not supplied continuously or conveniently. One insider present at the event expressed shock at having to cover car rental expenses on top of other costs that were initially assumed to be included.
Disparities Between Rookie and Main Stage Artists
While CJ ENM covered airfare and accommodations for artists performing on the “M Countdown” main stage, the guaranteed payment was minimal, only around 1 million won ($720) per group.
Moreover, expenses such as travel for hairstylists, makeup artists, and other essential support staff remained the responsibility of the agencies. This resulted in tens of millions of won in losses.
The agency representatives conveyed their frustration, highlighting that the so-called “Hemes” (a slang term referring to luxury expenses for styling and appearances) costs have risen significantly.
Official KCON LA Response
A relevant official from organizers, CJ ENM, said,
In addition to the opportunity to perform for free, we also invite local music industry officials and provide opportunities for mingling and promotion. The stage content is digitally exposed globally through various channels such as YouTube and Mnet Plus, and it becomes an opportunity for fans to communicate closely with the artists. Considering these points, participating artists proceed with this based on their agency’s voluntary decision.
The official stressed that participation is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of each agency.
Industry Reactions and Criticism
While some defend the event’s model by stating that agencies choose to attend knowing the costs involved, My Daily highlighted bitter responses from some corners of the industry.
There are many groups eager to perform but unable to afford the substantial upfront cost. The exclusive report quotes an agency insider who lamented the reality that countless teams could not attend KCON due to financial constraints.
KCON is a major Korean pop culture festival that tours internationally each year, with events frequently taking place in countries such as the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, and more.
