Pop groups Shinee, the Bangtan Boys, Block B and F. T. Island sing along to the traditional Korean folk song ‘Arirang’ during KCON France 2016, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
K-pop fever filled the air at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
Fans of Korean pop from across Europe gathered at the Paris stadium to attend a gala K-pop concert, part of KCON France 2016, the first time for KCON to be held in Europe. The festival provides an opportunity for French and European fans to learn about Korea and to experience the multiple aspects of modern Korean society, beyond simply pop music.
Hundreds of European K-pop fans gathered at the venue, camping in lines around the stadium for two days as they couldn’t wait to see their long-awaited pop stars. Despite the wind and the rain, these K-crazy music lovers began to line up early in the morning on the day of the concert, full of excitement and passion for that evening’s concert.
President Park Geun-hye waves to the audience during a K-pop concert, part of KCON France 2016 at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
More than 12,500 music fans from across Europe gather for a pop concert at KCON France 2016, in Paris on June 2. They cheered and sang along with their favorite songs, screaming for their favorite pop stars during the concert.
K-pop stars like Shinee, the Bangtan Boys, Block B, F. T. Island, F(x) and I.O.I headed the show, fulfilling and responding to the fans’ expectations with their equally passionate and fantastic performances. The audience sang along to the K-pop hits throughout the concert, all the while waving their cardboard signs with messages of love and dedication for their stars.
President Park Geun-hye, currently on a state visit to France, attended the concert, too. She waved with a smile to the passionate and excited audience.
Block B performs as part of KCON France 2016, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
All 12,500 seats at the arena were sold out long before the day itself. Tickets were for sale in the U.K., the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden, too, as well as France, taking up about 40 percent of overall ticket sales.
By Yoon Sojung, Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Staff Photographer
arete@korea.kr
President Park Geun-hye enjoys a pop concert during KCON France 2016, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
President Park Geun-hye waves to the crowd during a concert held as part of KCON France 2016, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
K-pop fans from across Europe queue up to get into the pop concert that’s part of KCON France 2016, at the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris on June 2.
