Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is considered the holy grail for all K-pop fans. But for most Americans, even the biggest fans, it's a bit far away to travel to. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is located in the United States and has one of the biggest Korean communities in America. This has led to Los Angeles having a strong K-pop fanbase, and as a result, many K-pop groups have traveled to America to perform for their fans on the other side of the world. Below we will go through some of the best things you can do as a fan of K-pop in the wonderful city of Los Angeles.
See a Korean Movie or Exhibition
Most K-pop fans also have a strong interest in Korean culture. One of the best ways to enjoy Korean art is to go and watch a Korean movie or exhibition. You can visit many places in Los Angeles to watch Korean films. Two branches of Korea's biggest cinema chains are in Los Angeles - in Buena Park in Orange County and Koreatown.
The Korean Culture Center of Los Angeles (KCCLA) hosts regular exhibitions and events to increase the general public's understanding of Korean culture. This includes K-pop, so why not see what events are coming up and if they appear interesting to you? If you want to learn more about Korea and the culture aside from K-pop, it is worth visiting KCCLA. You never know; you may find yourself searching for "apartments for rent Koreatown" online after falling in love with everything to do with Korea.
Browse Koreatown's K-Pop Music Shops
Across the United States, there aren't many shops aimed explicitly at the K-pop audience. However, the K-pop music shops in Los Angeles Koreatown are a fantastic exception. These shops sell everything to do with the K-pop music scene, including posters, K-pop albums, pillows, photocards, magazines, keychains, and many other things. When visiting Koreatown, you must check out Choice Music, Music Plaza, KStar Music LA, and K-pop Music Town. These are some of the best K-pop music shops in the area and can all be visited in a single afternoon.
Attend a Cupsleeve Cafe or K-Pop Dance Class
As much as it is great fun to enjoy K-pop activities by yourself, there is nothing better than getting together with friends with the same interest in Korean pop culture and going to a cupsleeve cafe or a K-pop dance class. In addition, you are likely to meet a load of new people who are just as enthusiastic as you about K-pop, and you may make friends for life. Fans make cupsleeve events at themed cafes to celebrate an idol's birthday or a group's comeback.
Cupsleeve events are typically held at cafes or boba shops, and there are some popular venues in Los Angeles, including Play KPop Cafe in Little Tokyo, R&B Tea Pasadena, and Macchiato in Pasadena. It is common to find fans selling merch of their favorite K-pop group, which they have made themselves. Another great activity you can try is a K-pop dance class to see if you have what it takes to be a K-pop star. One of the best places to try this out is Euphoria Dance which can be found in Pasadena and Irvine. You can choose an event that teaches you the dance style of a particular K-pop group so you can learn the moves of your favorite stars.
Sing K-Pop Songs at Noraebang
Up next is an activity that is a huge amount of fun to do with friends or on your own. Noraebang translates to "song room," where you can rent a room and sing all your favorite K-pop group songs. The rooms at Noraebang are kitted out with strobe lights and lasers to give you the real experience of performing on a stage. There are 34 different types of rooms to choose from and over 4,000 songs to sing, so you won't get bored singing the same songs over and over. Some other popular venues that allow you to sing K-pop include Rosen Kareoke, Akko Kareoke, and Young Dong Noraebang, which are also excellent choices.
Conclusion
K-pop has been taking over the music world for the past few years, with fanbases growing into the millions. You no longer have to travel to South Korea to experience K-pop culture, with places like Los Angeles in America having a strong and growing K-pop community. Try some of the abovementioned activities and take your dedication to K-pop to the next level.
