The situation
Wanna One is set to return to the KCON stage in Los Angeles after nine years, with a special nine-member performance at Crypto.com Arena on August 14. The appearance will mark the group's first KCON performance since 2017, albeit without Kang Daniel and Lai Kuanlin. This reunion highlights the enduring power of K-pop fandoms and the growing value of reunion-driven acts.
What the internet did with it
- Netizens on Theqoo are generally unbothered, with some commenting on the absence of Kang Daniel and Lai Kuanlin, saying — "it's not a full reunion, what's the point" while others are excited to see the remaining members perform together again.
- The performance is seen as a testament to the group's lasting impact on the K-pop scene, with their name still carrying weight despite not being active in the conventional sense.
- CJ ENM's announcement has sparked discussions about the shift in the K-pop market, where the memory and durability of a group's fandom have become important factors in generating public attention and commercial momentum.
The open question
The key question now is whether this performance will be a one-off event or if it will lead to more reunion-style stages or activities from Wanna One in the future, and how the group's individual members will balance their separate careers with potential future group activities.
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