YUQI, Zhang Hao Unite for Historic KCON LA 2025 Stage

KCONLA 2025 witnessed a historic collaboration that fans have undoubtedly crowned the "BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR". YUQI and Zhang Hao electrified the Crypto.com Arena with their special stage performance of "NOW," a reimagined version of Trouble Maker's original song. The dynamic duo certainly delivered a show-stopping performance that had fans "screaming all time" during the eagerly anticipated event.

At this point in the K-pop calendar, KCON LA 2025 has established itself as the premier showcase for cross-artist collaborations. The YUQI x ZHANG HAO performance specifically stood out among the lineup, earning enthusiastic praise for vocal excellence and visual appeal. With their performance taking place on day two of the festival, attendees and online viewers alike celebrated the collaboration with trending hashtags like "#KCON" across social media platforms. According to fan reactions, the pair "always ate", a testament to the performance quality that has subsequently gone viral through various fan cams and audio uploads.

YUQI and Zhang Hao perform 'NOW' at KCON LA 2025

On August 2, 2025, the atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena shifted dramatically as (G)I-DLE's YUQI and ZEROBASEONE's Zhang Hao took center stage for their highly anticipated collaboration. Following IDID's performance, the duo delivered a captivating rendition of "Now," originally performed by Trouble Maker.

Stage chemistry stuns fans at Crypto.com Arena

The pair's on-stage chemistry immediately captivated the audience, with fans describing it as "one of the hottest things" they had ever witnessed. Their performance featured sharp choreography, synchronized moves, and engaging gestures that drew continuous shouts and applause. YUQI appeared "soigne and spellbinding," channeling early-2000s pop sirens with hints of Britney Spears in her delivery, while Zhang Hao matched her energy with "understated intensity" that felt simultaneously modern and timeless.

Original song by Trouble Maker reimagined for new generation

The performance reimagined "Now," the 2012 hit by Trouble Maker—the boundary-pushing duo of Jang Hyun-seung and Hyuna. In today's K-pop landscape, male-female collaboration stages with mature themes are increasingly rare. Nevertheless, YUQI and Zhang Hao embraced the challenge, delivering a sultry homage that fully captured the drama and vintage glamor of the original.

Performance timing and placement in KCONLA 2025 schedule

Their collaboration occurred during day two of KCON LA's MCountdown stage. This strategic placement in the schedule built anticipation and momentum for subsequent acts, as evidenced by how their performance had "KCONers swaying and cheering along" throughout the venue. The audience remained fully engaged with the duo's energy throughout their performance.

KCON LA 2025 lineup features high-profile collaborations

The star-studded KCON LA 2025 featured an impressive roster of 33 artists, establishing itself as the premier K-pop festival of the year. The three-day extravaganza was held from August 1-3 at the Crypto.com Arena and Los Angeles Convention Center.

How YUQI x Zhang Hao added star power to the event

Among several exclusive collaboration stages, the YUQI x Zhang Hao performance represented a rare male-female collaboration in today's idol ecosystem. Their stage was part of a series of special collaborations only available at KCON LA 2025, including LEE YOUNGJI X ZEROBASEONE's SUNG HAN BIN and Roy Kim X ZEROBASEONE's KIM TAE RAE. Despite Zhang Hao not being on the official lineup for day two, his special appearance with YUQI became a highlight for every Zerose in the audience.

Other major acts that shared the stage

The complete lineup featured established stars alongside rookies. Veterans included MONSTA X, NCT 127, aespa, KEY, and HWASA, while newer sensations such as RIIZE, MEOVV, and ZEROBASEONE added fresh energy. Day two headliner MONSTA X returned as a nearly complete group following their military service. Additionally, aespa made their long-overdue KCON debut, delivering hypnotic performances of hits like "Whiplash" and "Supernova".

KCONLA 2025 date and venue details

Under the theme 'KLOVER'S CLUB FAIR' inspired by four-leaf clovers symbolizing good luck, the festival transformed Downtown Los Angeles into "the ultimate K-Pop playground". Beyond the main concerts, attendees experienced a full schedule of events including artist meet & greets, panels, workshops, and various stages showcasing emerging talent.

Fans react to YUQI x Zhang Hao performance

The YUQI x Zhang Hao collaboration sparked dramatically different reactions across fan communities. Their sultry rendition of "Trouble Maker's 'Now'" became one of KCON LA's most controversial moments, revealing a stark cultural divide in K-pop fandom.

Social media explodes with praise and trending hashtags

International audiences primarily celebrated the performance as "bold and refreshing". Conversely, Korean fans expressed significant discomfort, with many describing it as "a supply without demand that goes against the times". The performance rapidly became a trending topic, though not necessarily for positive reasons across all demographics. Many labeled it "iconic", yet others considered it "outdated".

Fan cams and remixes go viral on TikTok and YouTube

Fan cam uploads from the August 3 performance flooded platforms. Notable footage showed the audience's immediate reactions, capturing both enthusiasm and visible unease. Several videos achieved viral status on TikTok with trending hashtags like "zhang-hao-and-yuqi-at-kcon-la-2025".

Audience response during live performance

In-venue reactions proved equally mixed. While some expressed feeling "uncomfortable and uneasy", others found the collaboration "refreshing and impressive". Notably, Zhang Hao was observed apologizing to fans afterward, indicating awareness of the controversy their performance had generated. The mixed reception raised broader questions about cultural expectations in K-pop performances.

KCONLA 2025 sets new standard for global K-pop festivals

The 13th annual KCONLA established new benchmarks with over 125,000 attendees packing both the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena from August 1-3. For the first time ever, performances were broadcast live worldwide on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch through a partnership with Amazon Music.

How the event reflects K-pop's growing international influence

The City of Los Angeles officially designated August 1 as 'KCON Day' to honor the festival's decade-long impact in promoting cross-cultural connections. This recognition underscores KCON's evolution into a global platform for Korean culture. Since its 2012 inception, the festival has expanded to 10 countries including Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Germany. Beyond music, the event showcased Korean movies, TV shows, and beauty products, highlighting the comprehensive appeal of Korean culture.

Behind-the-scenes content and artist interactions

KCON's DREAM Stage created unique moments where lucky fans performed alongside their favorite idols. Participants danced with NCT 127, MONSTA X, and HOSHI X WOOZI from SEVENTEEN. Furthermore, the event featured artist booths, meet-and-greets, and casual interactions across multiple stages including the Artist Stage, X Stage, Busking Stage, and Dance Stage. These platforms provided fans with unprecedented access to both established stars and emerging talents.

What this means for future KCON events

With 107 companies, 358 booths, and 37 musical acts, KCON has evolved into much more than a music festival. It now represents a multi-dimensional convergence of fandom, artistry, and innovation. As a result, KCON has become the essential annual event for Korean pop culture enthusiasts, maintaining Los Angeles as its permanent home base. The festival's consistent return to LA—unlike most major conventions that rotate locations—signals its enduring relationship with the city.