Weekend Side Mission: KCON 2026. 6 Songs from Day 1 to add to your playlist.
Every summer, I embark on my annual side mission that takes me to the LA Convention Center and the Crypto Arena,for an unforgettable KCON experience. We kicked off Day 1 of KCON with an incredible lineup that was full of high-energy, vibrant colors, and a need to dig deeper into a couple of KPOP voices that have been under my radar.
Here are six K-POP adjacent songs that I believe will keep the party alive and your body moving — definitely worth adding to your playlist!
-Asha Moné
Santos Bravos -”MHM”
HYBE is at it again. Blending KPOP’s vibrant Motown-esque formula with it with the irresistible energy of a five-member Latin American boy band. The result? Music that feels like a refreshing ocean breeze, delicious piña coladas, and an adventurous hike through a tropical paradise. It's a vibe My standout act of the night.
NCT 127 - “2 Baddies”
Two Words… 2 Baddies… and what… one Porsche.
That is all.
KickFlip - “Eye-Poppin”
But can they kickflip? Do they even skate? I kid. 6 boys from one of the "Big 3" companies, making alternative pop but with a K-pop aesthetic, could be promising. I'm excited to see the concept built out. " Eye-Poppin" is a breath of fresh air from the fast-paced/bass-induced rhythms that make up top 10 K-pop songs. Download if you want the vibe of light moshing, but you would rather push your friends around in shopping carts in empty parking lots before the sun fully sets.
Wanna One - “Energetic”
It’s been almost a decade since Wanna One has been back on the KCON Stage and to hear one of their hits…
chefs kiss.
&Team - “Deer Hunter’
A direct must-add if you are particularly drawn to the sensual and groovy sounds of SHINee & their maknae, Taemin’s sexy shoulder moves. It's not SHINee, but it damn sure sounds like a song they would sing.
Bonus Song : Block B - ‘Very Good’
Covered by newcomers, H//PE Princess, at the KCON Day 1 concert. Very Good" is a classic track, and for those who've been listening to K-pop long enough, any hint of Block B feels like a sign that they will eventually return from the second-generation K-pop scene to bless us with something new and fresh. Someone should tell ZICO to make it happen!
