Selective Hearing Radio is a collection of discussions about anything we feel about mouthing off on in regards to music, video games, pro wrestling and pop culture.
The Selective Hearing team returns from KCON LA 2026 to discuss the entire weekend, from the convention floor and media experience to the KCON M!Countdown concerts.
In Episode 64, we compare this year’s KCON with previous editions, discuss the layout, crowds, booths, fan activities and artist interactions, and share which performances and unexpected discoveries stood out during the weekend.
We also take a broader look at KCON’s place in the K-pop landscape in 2026. With more K-pop artists touring North America than ever before, does KCON still serve the same purpose it once did? Is artist discovery still an important part of the experience? And what can KCON offer fans that individual tours cannot?
Finally, we give our overall verdict on KCON LA 2026, discuss what could be improved and whether we would return for KCON LA 2027.
Opening
Introductions.
What are you drinking?
Light banter and catchup
Before KCON
Expectations going into KCON 2026.
What were you most interested in seeing or doing this year?
Were there artists, panels or activities you had marked as priorities?
Anything that immediately seemed different from previous KCONs?
Media / Press Experience
Check-in and credentialing.
Media orientation and communication.
Press areas and working conditions. How was the cookie room this year?
KCON Convention Experience
The 2026 experience vs. previous KCON experiences.
Layout, crowds and organization.
Booths, merchandise and giveaways.
Fan activities and interactive experiences.
Artist appearances on the convention floor.
Favorite unexpected discovery.
Anything that felt missing or underdeveloped.
KCON M!Countdown
General thoughts about the lineup.
Special stages.
Favorite performances.
Biggest surprises.
Artists who exceeded expectations.
Artists you were already excited about who delivered.
Collaborations, covers or special KCON stages.
Production: sound, screens, lighting, staging and cameras.
Best performance of the weekend.
Best individual song/stage.
Biggest surprise.
Artist you want to see in a full concert now.
KCON as a K-Pop Event in 2026
Does KCON still serve the same purpose it did several years ago?
With so many K-pop groups touring North America now, how important is KCON?
Is discovering artists still a major part of the experience?
Is KCON primarily a convention, concert festival or a way of pushing various Korean products on attendees?
What does KCON offer that individual tours cannot?
Was KCON 2026 Worth It?
Final Verdict
Overall rating for KCON 2026.
What could KCON improve?
Would you attend KCON again?
What would make you return in 2027?
2 Nov 2025
#63: 2025 STAYC Tour: [Stay Tuned]
The Selective Hearing staff review the 2025 STAYC Tour: [Stay Tuned].
DISCLAIMER: Review Ticket Provided by LiveNation, Kakao, and High Up Entertainment
Introduction
What have you been doing?
What are you drinking?
Topic 1: Our Previous History with STAYC
Quick reminder of how you got started with STAYC
Cliffs Notes on the previous shows you have seen them at (KCON Tour, Teenfresh)
Topic 2: How many stops did you attend?
Total stops (23)
2025 STAYC Tour [Stay Tuned] | Kpop Wiki (https://kpop.fandom.com/wiki/2025_STAYC_Tour_%27Stay_Tuned%27)
Topic 3: “Official Review” of STAYC at Irving Show (Oct 10th)
Allen talks about his thoughts on the Irving show
Start with the approval process, getting last-minute travel in order, etc (thank everyone)
Met a fan on the bus
Talk about the team and their matching soccer jerseys and the meaning behind them.
Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Cool area with lots of restaurants, Alamo Drafthouse
Intimate venue, very easy to move around and get to the bar and merch area, comfy seats
The guys went ahead to the Pre-show benefits, while I waited outside and walked around to the bars for my entrance, which was through the VIP Lounge.
The guys discuss all the pre-show activities they did. Any fun soundcheck notes?
VIP benefits and goods
Overall concert thoughts
Setlist
Are there any songs you'd like to listen to?
Crowd
Highlights
Ments talking about the use of ChatGPT and the explanation of Buc-ees. (Monkey, muffin? There was a guy in a Buc-ees outfit.
The tradition of STAYC encores, walking up and down the aisles, and interacting with fans.
GoPro
Production
(Remixed rock versions of songs?)
Topic 4: Any Differences Between Cities?
We discussed that STAYC is quite flexible. Were there any other differences you noticed between the stops you went to?
Pros and cons of venues
Boston benefits (connections to the venue and VIP Lounge)
No differences in soundcheck
Seeun is sitting out in D.C. Any changes to accommodate her absence
Notable differences between TEENFRESH and STAY TUNED tours?
Which show did you like better?
Topic 5: Other Cool Moments in Other Cities
ASAP Freestyle
Funny moments (ex, “Oh My... Ass (https://youtube.com/shorts/UWgjPkiFDtU?si=pbxIRPkcMQIczUJ6)” )
Closing Comments
Final thoughts of the tour
How have things changed for you as a SWITH during and after this tour?
Thanks to Livenation, Kakao, High Up Entertainment and STAYC for the review ticket
Goodbyes
Photo credits to thomasma__ on Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/thomasma__?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)
3 Feb 2025
#62 (G)I-DLE World Tour I-DOL in Cinemas Movie Review
The Selective Hearing staff review (G)I-DLE's World Tour I-DOL in Cinemas concert movie.
Topic List:
0:00 - Site ID/Intro Song - SUPER LADY.
0:21 - Introductions.
2:37 - Have you watched any K-pop concerts in theatres before?
7:10 - What screenings were available in your area?
9:56 - What type of screening did you attend?
30:10 - Thoughts on the concert movie.
56:59 - Would you recommend this movie to casuals?
1:02:56 - Your rating of this movie out of 10.
1:04:19 - Upcoming K-pop concert movies.
1:09:44 - Goodbyes/Site Promo/Outro Song - FATE.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
133,838
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
35
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
51
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