A Look Back At A First Timer's KCON NY 2016 - Day 2

Entering the second day of KCON NY made me excited than I was the day before. Maybe because I only had one panel to attend and had more time to explore at the convention. And also maybe because the hype for the main headliner, BTS, was intense.

Checked-in and browsed, hundreds of fans wore black and white with the letters "BTS" or a member's name on them.

After my last panel with NuttyNomads, East Coast K-Spots, there was a vast amount of time for me to check out the Korean food street. From the Nongshim Shin Ramyun stand for those who want to be quite sadistic and treat themselves to a hot taster of ramyun in the sweltering heat to the Melona booth carrying three different flavors of their signature ice pops to cool things down.

A few meters away, lines of local food trucks came through to give a dose of Asian cuisine. From the potato spiral, Korean tacos, to kimbap and other Korean street foods, there were also burgers and fries available and even an ice cream truck serving them in scoops in a hot glazed doughnut called creamybuns.

On the other side, of the convention, Day6 made a special appearance in the Toyota booth and did a small meet and greet with lucky fans. Taking pictures and an endless amount of fan service, the surrounding areas of the tent was packed.

Throughout the convention fans were spotted taking pictures with their favorite K-Pop YouTubers such as J.R.E and Jun Curry Ahn while they post up short meet and greet spots around the convention.

Moments later, the crowd headed in for the second and last day of KCON's M! Countdown concert.

Just like the first day's host, Ailee and Rap Monster took the stage again and introduced the night's opener - MAMAMOO.

The four-member girl group brought the crowd to cheers proving that their popularity is JUST as great the male groups on the KCON line-up. While they sang "You're The Best" in their setlist it was when they sang "Taller Than You (1cm)" when I got hyped. Not because that was the only song I knew, but the beat sounded like a badass female version of Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady."

After MAMAMOO's set, JYP's alternative pop/rock back Day6 came out in full ensemble performing "Letting Go," "Congratulations," and "Freely." As many thought their set might've been a short one, the group created a special stage and collaborated with MAMAMOO. The two groups performed a K-Pop medley of CN Blue's "I'm A Loner," Big Bang's "Lies" and the Wonder Girls' "Nobody."

Bringing a more romantic feel to the concert, Eric Nam popped up from the front-end of the concert stage with a bouquet of roses as gives them out to his fans as he performs  his first song. Followed by his classic track "I'm Okay" the singer/song-writer and host entertained his fans with personal stories and jokes in between songs. Debuting his exclusive single with Kolaj, Eric Nam performed "Into You" and gave Prudential Center a run for its participation as the crowd clapped and jumped along to the EDM track.

It was moments later that Eric came back on stage with Ailee for another special stage performing Soyou and Jung Gigo's hit song "Some." With the two friends  hilariously noticing how awkward the performance afterwards, the two Korean-American K-Pop stars ended the night as MCs to introduce the main headliners of KCON - BTS.

Screams were louder than ever as the stage was lit. Literally. The screens on stage already gave a hint to what was the group's opening song would be- "FIRE." The Prudential Center lit up within milliseconds with lightsticks and light boards as fans started jumping up and down from their seats spazzing.

BTS comes up from the stage in flaming charismatic poses as they and the crowd began to sing "FIRE."

I, myself, couldn't hold back the dancing as well. I may not know the choreography but there was some intense headbanging, head bopping and dabbing on my end.

Soon following up with "Save Me," BTS continues to leave a deep impression within everyone with their synchronized choreography to the tropical house-like track.

When it came to individual introductions, the screams just grew louder and louder. The group then broke it down with performing a whole freestyle/rap ensemble and closed out the night with their viral hit "DOPE."

The night was nothing but lit.

As all of the KCON Day 2 performers came out for the closing stage, artists gave their share of fan service by sending out flying kisses, mini-hearts and waves. Some artists like Ailee and MAMAMOO busted out in moves while BTS's Junggook proved himself to be the king of Dabs as he dabbed across one end of the stage to another.

The fun was at its peak but it was unfortunate to realize that KCON 2016 has come to an end.

They say time flies by when you have fun. And as for someone who experienced KCON for the first time, it was an experience that was way too fun and too fast. Until next year!

KCON LA is just around the corner so keep an eye out for KpopStarz's coverage!

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