ZEROBASEONE leader to serve as storyteller and global representative for KCON 2026, beginning with KCON JAPAN and continuing through KCON LA
CJ ENM has announced the appointment of the first-ever Global Ambassador for KCON, the world’s largest K-POP Fan & Artist Festival, since its launch in 2012.
Sung Han-bin, the leader of ZEROBASEONE, has been tapped as the inaugural face of KCON. In this role, he will serve as a guide and storyteller, helping communicate KCON’s identity and core values as a global platform offering immersive experiences across K-pop, K-beauty, K-food and K-entertainment.
As the festival’s global representative this year, Sung Han-bin will appear at major KCON events, starting with KCON JAPAN 2026 in Chiba, Japan, from May 8 to 10, and culminating at KCON LA 2026 in Los Angeles, from August 14 to 16. Sung will spotlight what makes KCON distinctive as a festival co-created by artists and fans worldwide.
Sung is expected to bring his onstage presence and hosting experience to the role, having built a proven track record as an MC on Mnet’s M COUNTDOWN and at major award shows.
Additionally, ZEROBASEONE has joined the artist lineup for KCON JAPAN 2026. Since their debut, the group has become the first K-pop act to achieve “million-seller” status with six consecutive albums and has surpassed 9 million in cumulative album sales — setting a new benchmark among fifth-generation acts. With ZEROBASEONE set to write a new chapter in 2026, KCON JAPAN 2026 promises to bring together artists across the spectrum of K-pop, delivering expanded performances and on-site experiences for fans worldwide.
CJ ENM said it plans to further elevate the festival experience through KCON in 2026, expanding programming to capture and deliver KCON’s signature energy. By actively reflecting feedback from global fandoms, the festival will strengthen its core offerings with dynamic stages and highly interactive content designed to create memorable moments for attendees.
“KCON marks a pivotal turning point in my life, as it was the very first stage where ZEROBASEONE performed for our global fans,” said Sung Han-bin, the inaugural KCON Global Ambassador. “I am grateful to be named the first ambassador for the festival where ZEROBASEONE first connected with audiences. I will do my utmost to create another unforgettable chapter, bringing people together across generations and tastes to experience Korean culture and global trends.”
Launched in Irvine, California, in 2012, KCON has established a festival model centered on music while spanning lifestyle experiences including K-beauty, K-food and K-content. The festival has been held in 14 regions across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, drawing a cumulative offline audience of nearly 2.23 million. Through digital platforms, tens of millions of fans worldwide have connected across borders and languages, solidifying KCON’s position as the premier global K-pop festival that serves as a launchpad for artists and brands expanding globally.
