K-Pop Idols Converge for Huge Gig in New York

Thousands pack Madison Square Garden for the KCON K-pop concert in New York on Saturday. /Courtesy of CJ E&M

The world's biggest K-pop concert by CJ E&M started its U.S. leg in New York's Madison Square Garden last weekend. The annual KCON event is held in Asia and the U.S.

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It was the first time the concert was held "in the heart of Manhattan which carries major significance", said the organizers.

The concert featured NU'EST, SF9 and SEVENTEEN and eight other bands.  

KCON is a showcase for new groups, and five of them were newcomers who debuted less than a year ago -- Verivery, AB6IX, Iz One, ATEEZ and Tomorrow X Together.

KCON was also the launch pad for boy band BTS in 2014.

Korean food and fashion products were showcased at the same time at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. According to CJ E&M, a record 55,000 people attended the event. Next month, KCON moves on to Los Angeles and in September to Bangkok.