Cool KCON 2022 Riyadh: everything about the massive event

The first-ever KCON 2022 Riyadh festival is happening this weekend. Yes, it’s that soon.

Mark your calendars for Friday September 30 to Saturday October 1 because that’s when the big-name event starts in the capital.

It’s time to get excited for the huge festival, if you’re to already. Here’s everything you need to know about the KCON 2022 Riyadh music festival.

All about KCON

KCON is an annual convention. The first KCON event was held in Southern California back in 2012 and has since expanded to eight cities in four continents. Previously held in Abu Dhabi in 2016, the festival will be making its debut in the Kingdom’s capital. Like we said, the huge South Korean-centric event will be begin on Friday September 30 and end on Saturday October 1.

KCON 2022 Riyadh festival

The event will be hosted at Boulevard Riyadh City and will be divided into four zones across the location. Apart from the live upbeat music, KCON 2022 Riyadh will also be hosting subzones in collaboration with KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency) called K-content story. There will be a K-drama zone, K-movie zone (grab the popcorn) and a K-fashion zone (dress to impress, people). There will also be a KOCCA music zone, K-webtoon zone, K-character zone and K-VR zone.

At the K-drama zone, expect dramas like Alchemy of Souls, The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won and Kill Heel. Grab the popcorn for the K-movie zone featuring Oscar-winning movie Parasite, Broker, Decision to Leave and Roaring Currents.

The K-Fashion zone at KCON 2022 Riyadh will see threads by brands like C-ZANN E, BONBOM and HOLY NUMBER 7. The K-webtoon area will have Tappytoon, K-character zone will see soothing cartoon character Doggie Corgi, cutesy kitty Qtizz and so many more. Finally, at the K-VR zone you can experience SKonec and innoVENTOR.

KCON 2022 Riyadh zones

The KCON 2022 Riyadh festival will house four zones including the Show Zone, KCON Square, K-Pop Square and Fan Square.

The Show Zone will be hosted at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, the KCON Square will be found at MBC Studio, the Magic Theatre will house the K-Pop Square and the Fan Square will be at the Mohammed Ali Theatre.

Other festival highlights include musical performances happening at each of the zones across the two-day event.

KCON 2022 Riyadh performers

The stellar lineup includes P1Harmony, Pentagon, Rain, Secret Number, Sunmi and The Boyz performing on Friday September 30. The next day will welcome big-name artists like ATEEZ, Hyolyn, NewJeans, ONEUS, STAYC and TO1.

P1Harmony, Pentagon, Secret Number and The Boyz will be performing at the KCON Square on Friday September 30 with ONEUS performing at the K-Pop Square alongside returning performers P1Harmony and Secret Number on the same day.

Day two of the event will see ONEUS and TO1 at the KCON Square, and STAYC and TO1 at the K-Pop Square.At the Show zone, you can expect to see ATEEZ, Rain and Hyolyn.

KCON meet-and-greet schedule

The meet-and-greet schedule for KCON 2022 Riyadh will be held at the Fan Square. You’ll have a chance to meet artists like ONEUS, Pentagon, and The Boyz on Friday September 30 and NewJeans, STAYC and TO1 on Saturday October 1. The huge event will be MCed by South Korean-based American singer and rapper Aaron Kwak at the Red Carpet and the meet-and-greet Fan Square zone.

KCON Riyadh tickets

Ticket prices start at SAR180 for bronze, SAR280 for silver, SAR380 for gold and standing. Golden circle tickets are SAR550.

If you’re really into K-culture, you can buy a convention ticket for SAR150 and enjoy the rest of the exhibitions here.

Meet-and-greet tickets at the Fan Square start at SAR100 for bronze, SAR150 for silver, and SAR250 for gold where you’ll be able to interact with the artists.

Feeling a little extra? For SAR1,000 KCON Prestige tickets will allow you to enter both conventions (meaning all the zones), attend the concerts in the Golden Circle, enjoy KCON exclusive gifts and welcome your favourite artists on the Red Carpet.