Rainy Morning
Rainy Morning

LA KCON arrival

I always insisted to Ben I was not interested in KCON. It seemed like too much to handle. But then they announced the line-up for 2026 LA KCON and it was, like a TON of groups that I like.

Unusually boy group heavy. Most enticing of all - &TEAM were coming. They’re a Japanese group I love that hasn’t come to the US yet. (See me with their standees at a mall in Kyoto here).

So I gave into temptation and bought THREE concert tickets - 진짜 おかしい!

Thus I found myself at the end of summer break, still muddling through some life event stressors, flying to sunny California for a long weekend of sunshine, music, pretty dancers, and good food.

Always exciting to see palm trees - and no wildfire smoke here!
Always exciting to see palm trees - and no wildfire smoke here!
I tried public transit, but after 3 busses passed my stop because they were already full, I gave up and called a car. The driver was very charismatic and talked to me the entire drive downtown. She even played &TEAM when she learned why I was visiting.
I tried public transit, but after 3 busses passed my stop because they were already full, I gave up and called a car. The driver was very charismatic and talked to me the entire drive downtown. She even played &TEAM when she learned why I was visiting.

After checking in the hotel I walked to dinner. My driver recommended Pine & Crane and it was delish!

The Last Bookstore promised to have great book displays and it delivered! I had a fun time walking around and perusing the vinyl.

There were some girls too freaked out to go in this room for horror books. They had creepy music and sound effects.
There were some girls too freaked out to go in this room for horror books. They had creepy music and sound effects.
"Decorative books" for sale by color
"Decorative books" for sale by color
Several artist boutiques on the 2nd floor.
Several artist boutiques on the 2nd floor.
It was funny to see the book I'm currently reading on display as I left (The Eye of the Bedlam Bride)
It was funny to see the book I'm currently reading on display as I left (The Eye of the Bedlam Bride)

The sun was lovely going down, but the streets were getting sketchier by the minute. I had one more stop in mind so I braved a twlight wait for the uber (on high alert - DTLA is seriously sus!) to get my favorite ice cream. This felt super indulgent, but it’s sort of a tradition for me to visit this place if I’m in the same town. A sweet end to my day of traveling.