MONSTA X, Exo’s Kai to headline ‘what may be the biggest K-Pop event in US history’

Credit: SM Entertainment
EXO's Kai will perform at the KAMP event in October

Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl Stadium is set to host one of the biggest live-music K-Pop experiences in history with a blockbuster lineup of acts.

KAMP LA 2022 will be delivered by organizers KAMP Global and Eventim Live Asia (ELA) from October 15 to 16.

It will mark the solo debut US appearances of MONSTA X, Exo’s KAI and Jeon Somi, and Super Junior’s return to Los Angeles for the first time in six years.

The lineup also features iKON in its first US performance since COVID-19, BamBam and other acts performing in the US for the first time including Zion.T, and Lapillus.

More artists will be included in the lineup in the coming weeks, according to the organizers.

KAI, the first member of EXO who is also a member of SuperM, said “this may legitimately be the biggest K-pop event in US history.”

“To be part of what should be the biggest K-pop music experience in history is incredibly exciting. This is something special that K-pop fans will remember and talk about for years to come,” Super Junior’s Lee Teuk said.

The event comes amid the rising popularity of K-Pop in the US, with BTS winning Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards 2021, a first for an Asian pop group, and being crowned winners of the 2021’s IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award.

Blackpink’s upcoming debut performance at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards is also one to watch for K-Pop fans.

KAMP LA 2022 is more than just a concert as it will be featuring an immersive event with arts, culinary, gaming, and significant brand collaborations, according to the organizers.

“US fans have waited so long for great music because of the pandemic–they need to see their favorite artists for the first time in two years in many cases.”

Tim Kim, KAMP

KAMP Global and ELA partnered with Los Angeles artist Kenny Scharf to create KAMP LA 2022 imagery and aesthetics and with South Korean media phenomenon Dingo Music and South Korea’s personalized card payment system i-Aurora to allow payments through South Korean payment-approved cards.

The event is one of ELA’s early projects since its inception last year. The group was formed by concert promoter and ticketing company CTS Eventim in partnership with Jason Miller, former senior vice president of Asia for Live Nation.

Miller is estimated to have produced 80% of the past decade’s highest-grossing Asian tours for western artists, including Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Madonna, Maroon 5, U2, and many others.

KAMP, meanwhile, is led by CEO Tim Kim, whose experience includes working with high-profile clients in the Western music and Hollywood space. KAMP hosted its first event in Singapore with the sold-out 2019 Singapore Festival that featured Super Junior, NCT 127, Stray Kids, MOMOLAND, GFRIEND, Sonnet Son, WJSN, Chungha, Ha Sung-woon, and AleXa.

Kim wants KAMP LA 2022 to be “the ultimate K-pop experience in all aspects.”

“US fans have waited so long for great music because of the pandemic–they need to see their favorite artists for the first time in two years in many cases,” Kim said.

Fans can now register on KAMPLA.vip to unlock presale tickets and get a chance to win a backstage meet & greet pass, VIP tickets, merch bundles and more.

Presale access is priced from $179, excluding fees. Presale registration closes at 7PM (PDT) on Thursday (August 18) and presale tickets will be available on sale from 10AM (PDT) on Friday (August 19).

KAMP LA 2022 would be the latest major K-Pop event to land at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, which previously hosted two BTS shows in May 2019.

“Everyone in K-pop wants to break into America. There’s a deep connection between Korean culture and L.A. This was always the place to start. But we are also going to bring K-pop worldwide.”

Tim Kim, KAMP

But before the blockbuster event in October, Rose Bowl will host K-pop star Chungha, rapper Jay Park, South Korean singer-songwriter BIBI, singer-songwriter eaJ, and GOT7 member Jackson Wang for 88rising’s Head in the Clouds festival this weekend.

“Everyone in K-pop wants to break into America. There’s a deep connection between Korean culture and L.A. This was always the place to start. But we are also going to bring K-pop worldwide with KAMP and Eventim Live Asia. We will go to all markets where K-pop resonates—which is everywhere these days. KAMP isn’t just about mega-concerts or historic events—it’s a culture,” KAMP’s Kim said.Music Business Worldwide