Entertainment
Hallyuwood
2026 Weverse Con Festival draws record 34,000 fans in Seoul as HYBE expands global music showcase
2026 Weverse Con Festival draws record 34,000 fans in Seoul as HYBE expands global music showcase
The 2026 Weverse Con Festival concluded in Seoul over the weekend, drawing a record-breaking 34,000 combined in-person and online attendees, marking its largest audience since the event launched four years ago.
Organized by HYBE, the two-day festival reinforced its position as a major fixture in the global K-pop calendar, expanding its programming and artist lineup to its most ambitious scale yet.
Held under the theme “Newtopia,” the festival transformed venues including the KSPO Dome and 88 Lawn Field into a multi-stage musical hub, designed to merge live performance with immersive fan experiences.
The lineup included headlining acts such as ENHYPEN, Zico, BOYNEXTDOOR, Highlight, and Lucy, alongside a broad slate of emerging and established acts including LE SSERAFIM, P1Harmony, TWS, ILLIT, and &TEAM.
Other performers included Hwang Min Hyun, Lee Changsub, Kim Jae Joong, Wendy, and virtual idol group PLAVE, underscoring the festival’s increasingly hybrid approach to live entertainment.
One of the event’s defining moments was a tribute stage dedicated to K-pop icon Rain, reinterpreted by a multi-generational lineup of artists. The performance highlighted Rain’s enduring influence on the industry while reflecting the festival’s emphasis on cross-era collaboration and genre fusion.
Beyond performances, attendees engaged with a series of interactive installations and brand activations inspired by the “Newtopia” concept, including experiential booths from Weverse, Torriden, Upbit, and other participating partners.
HYBE said this year’s expansion reflects its long-term vision for the festival. “This year’s Weverse Con Festival offered music fans from Korea and around the world a diverse musical experience through its expanded stage programming, enhanced production, and largest-ever lineup spanning genres and generations,” the company said. “We will continue to grow Weverse Con as a global music festival that showcases the value and appeal of Korean popular music while delivering distinctive live experiences for audiences worldwide.”
