South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM has announced KCON 2022 Japan’s first lineup of artists.
The lineup, which was shared on social media on Wednesday, includes IVE, LE SSERAFIM, Kep1er, NewJeans, NMIXX, NiziU, MONSTA X’s Kihyun, TEMPEST, TNX, JO1 and former IZ*ONE member and soloist JO YURI.
Starship Entertainment’s IVE, who released a comeback earlier this week titled “After LIKE,” will make their KCON debut.
LE SSERAFIM, whose debut was mired by member Kim Ga-ram’s exit following bullying allegations, will also make their KCON debut. Earlier this month, member Yunjin released self-produced song “Raise y_our glass” on YouTube and SoundCloud.
Kep1er, who made their U.S. debut at KCON LA 2022 earlier this month, will now jump over to Japan. This coincides with their first Japanese-language single “Wing Wing.” The nine-member girl group and “Queendom” Season 2 contestants made their summer domestic drop with the album “DOUBLAST” in June.
HYBE’s new five-member girl group NewJeans released their first EP last month. Accompanying their debut release were music videos for every track.
Former IZ*ONE member JO YURI will get to reunite with her IZ*ONE members Yujin and Wonyoung of IVE at KCON 2022 Japan. She recently released the Universe exclusive single “Maybe” less than two weeks ago.
NMIXX’s sister group NiziU will feel right at home in Japan – the Japanese girl group and joint JYP Entertainment and Sony Music act made their KCON debut at KCON Premiere in Korea earlier this year. They came out with their third single “Clap Clap” in July.
Kihyun of boy group Monsta X participated in the KCON 2022 premiere show in South Korea. He made his solo debut in March with the single “VOYAGER.” Monsta X is set to perform at two festivals in October: Nickelodeon’s first-ever music festival as well as K-pop festival KAMP LA, both at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Yuehua Entertainment’s boy group TEMPEST will make their KCON debut. They made their group debut in March with the album “It’s Me, It’s We,” led by the title track “Bad News.”
TNX, PSY’s first boy group under his P Nation label, are set to make their KCON debut. Their May debut was the EP titled “Way Up” with the title track “Move.”
Lastly are JO1, winners of Season 1 of “Produce 101 Japan.” They made their U.S. debut at KCON LA earlier this year.
KCON 2022 Japan will take place from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
KCON LA celebrated their 10-year anniversary this past weekend with over 90,000 attendees and 7 million viewing worldwide across 176 countries. The first day of the concert performers included ATEEZ, CRAVITY, ENHYPEN, INI, ITZY, Kep1er, LIGHTSUM and Stray Kids. The second day featured LOONA, NCT DREAM, NMIXX, P1Harmony, STAYC, THE BOYZ, TO1 AND WJSN.
Featured Image via CJ ENM/KCON USA
