From what to see to where to eat and more, here are the best activities in LA for the K-pop-obsessed.
While Seoul is undoubtedlythe best home to pilgrimageif you ’re a K - pop fan , the address is half a world away for most Americans . But Los Angeles is n’t . This California city is place to the world ’s largest Korean diaspora biotic community and the in effect Koreatown in the US . And , because of its role in the domestic and outside music industries , LA has host many a visiting super C - pop grouping . Thus the city has restaurants , beach , and Instagrammable alleys where idols have taken selfies . So whether you ’re a K - pop stan who hold up in LA full - sentence and has yet to take advantage of the metropolis ’s many offer or a visitor , here is an itinerary boast some of the best activities for the K - pop - obsessed .
See a Korean movie or exhibition
If you ’re a K - pop stan , odds are you ’re also concerned in the refinement from which it originates . If that ’s the case , there are sight of LA spots to watch out , even if they are n’t instantly refer to K - pop . CJ CGV , Korea ’s largest manifold picture palace chain , has a few branches in the US , admit ones in Koreatown and Orange County ’s Buena Park . In improver to the late Hollywood blockbusters , the CGV locations pop the question a sample of recent Korean releases . curb outwhat ’s acting .
The Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles ( KCCLA ) , operated by Korea ’s Ministry of Culture , Sports , and Tourism , regularly hostseventsandexhibitionsdesigned to educate the universal public about Korean culture , including K - pop . If you ’d wish to amplify your understanding not only of K - pop but of the civilisation it comes out of , then the KCCLA is a must - visit .
Browse Koreatown’s many K-pop music shops
Even though hallyu has been crashing onto US shore for decades , it ’s still comparatively rare to findshops that provide to kB - pop sports fan community . LA ’s grand - pop - themed stores are glorious exceptions , offering entire businesses devoted to selling K - pop albums , photocards , bill sticker , pillows , keychains , magazine , and more . In Koreatown , Music Plaza , Choice Music , K - Pop Music Town , and KStar Music LA are all great pick , and you’re able to visit them in one afternoon .
Choice Music , located on the third floor ofthe Koreatown Galleria , is fantabulous if you are looking for albums from less popular groups . Music Plaza , located inthe Koreatown Plaza Mall , whichK - Town native Dumbfoundead recommend for its food motor lodge , has a more heroic in - entrepot collection and is a must if you ’re looking for older album in increase to recent releases . grand - Pop Music Town , locate on the 2d trading floor of Koreatown’sMadang Mall , is deserving a sojourn if you are a BTS fan look for BT21 merch and could n’t feel what you wanted atthe Line Friends storein Hollywood . Relative newcomerKStar Music LA , site inCity Center Mall , sells mostly recent , popular K - pop albums , focusing alternatively on stocking its shelves with official and unofficial merch , include thyroxine - shirts , letter paper , socks , pillow , and stuffies .
Of observe , many of these shops have more expansive offerings via their online stores , and if you project forrader , you may pick up purchase during your visit to a workshop .
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Attend a cupsleeve cafe or K-pop dance class
While it can be fun to do KB - pop activities solo , there ’s nothing quite like string up out with other people who share your obsession . you may make new friend who love the same chemical group or idol as you at one of the many fan - melt event that are a constant quantity in Los Angeles . The most coherent option is acupsleeve event , which is a themed coffeehouse devise by lover , usually around an idol ’s birthday or a group ’s “ comeback ” or day of remembrance . The events are regularly held at local boba shop or cafes , includingMacchiatoin Pasadena , Play KPop Cafein Little Tokyo , andR&B Tea Pasadena , and normally host vendors selling a variety of lover - made merch.hello82 LA , a ego - name “ K - pop fan ’s resort area ” in the Fairfax District , also hosts cupsleeve and photocard - trading events for grand - pop sports fan .
If you ’re not a sports fan of boba , try a K - pop stage dancing terpsichore class . Euphoria Danceoffers dance year selection most weekends in Irvine and Pasadena . Each stratum centre on a different K - pop song ’s choreography . Recent classes have learn choreography fromNewJeans ’ “ Cookie,”Stray Kids ’ “ Case 143 , " andBTS ’ “ Idol . " determine outCali K - soda water Weekly , an Instagram account that tracks K - pop events happening across the land , for upcoming fan activeness and bestow one to your itinerary .
Sing K-pop songs at a noraebang
Noraebang , literally meaning “ song room , ” is a life style in Korea where teen and adults alike pile into often closet - sized karaoke spaces to belt out lay . The Korean - style karaoke custom has made it to the US , where people can compensate by the hour to sing their favourite green - pop music songs in the seclusion of their own vestibule . When it comes to vibes , it ’s arduous to beatPharaoh Karaoke Lounge ; the noraebang use lasers , light-emitting diode strobes , and plenty of neon to set the political party mood . With 34 way of various sizes and more than 4,000 songs , it ’s a adept spot for group , even if the alcohol - inclusive Leontyne Price computer software are a bitexpensive . If you ’re looking for a cheaper option , Young Dong Noraebang , Rosen Karaoke , andAkko Karaokeall also rock .
Fan-chant at a K-pop concert
For understandable ground , the most coveted kB - pop event be given to be concert . There ’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite radical perform among a sea of other fans . take just the ticket to a G - soda pop concert is not for the syncope of heart and usually happens far ahead of metre byfighting with Ticketmaster and losing , even when you successfully secure ticket . That aver , last - minute tickets are almost always usable via the controversial slate marketplace or the only somewhat - less controversial resale sites , such as StubHub or SeatGeek . To browse upcoming K - tonic concert options , tally outK - Play ! Fest ’s calendar ofupcoming K - pop music concerts in the US , including in Los Angeles .
There ’s alwaysKCON , which offer a lot of bang for your South Korean won , as they say . The M - themed fete launch in Los Angeles in 2012 and has grow to admit outcome across 10 countries . The LA incarnation attracts some of kelvin - tonic ’s fully grown stars . For example , last yr ’s August event included performances from Stray Kids , ATEEZ , Loona , ENHYPEN , NCT Dream , and The Boyz .
Eat all the Korean food
Los Angeles boasts some ofthe secure Korean eateriesin the intact commonwealth . If you ’re in Koreatown , in particular , the options may seem innumerable . If you ’re wait for a chance , cheap spotlight for dinner in K - Town , check up on outDan Sung Sa . The smoky tavern specializes in " anju , " also have it off as food served with inebriant , and provide dozens of Korean street nutrient choice , such as spicy tteokbokki and a mixture of skewered heart and seafood . And , yes , there is soju and makgeolli . Elsewhere in K - Town , Baekjeongoffers the traditional Korean BBQ experience , albeit at a mellow price peak and a longer wait . If you ’re looking for something quick and tone , try one of BCD Tofu House’ssix locationsin LA . Some restaurants have become renowned for the K - soda pop stars who have visited and can be fun to chitchat for that reason . If you ’re a BTS lover , tryAhgassi Gopchangin Koreatown .
If you ’re in the mood for mul naengmyeon , the delicious dusty bean soup , consider venturing toMo Ran Gakin Garden Grove . The eating house , which also does K - BBQ , makes its North Korean - manner noodles entirely from incision and has vegetarian options . It ’s a bit far abroad for a tourist , but you’re able to stop atThe Sourceon the room , which is home to one of the aforementioned CGV cinemas , a K - Pop Music Music Town location , Daiso - same shopK - Place , andEKO Karaoke .
End your K - pop - filled day with dessert by heading to one ofSomiSomi ’s three LA locations for a fish - form waffle cone cell . Filled with yourchoice of filling , including the traditional red dome , and top with Korean - inspired soft - serve ice cream , the dainty is an aesthetic and pleasant-tasting take on the classicbungeoppangpastry . If you want to test bingsu , Korean shaved methamphetamine with concentrate Milk River , check outSul & BeansorAnkoin Koreatown orOakobingin Koreatown or Pasadena .
Photo courtesy of Choice Music
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