On September 22nd, THP was lucky enough to be invited down to this year’s edition of Hallyu Con! For the last few years, they’ve taken over Samsung KX in London and created absolute magic. After all, what else could happen when K-culture fans, creators, and creatives unite? It was a whirlwind day of music, beauty, tradition, and K-pop-powered connection!
Here’s a full rundown of our favorite sessions, panels, and highlights from Hallyu Con 2024!
Hanboks And Traditional Korean Dress
In one of the most visually stunning sessions of the day, attendees were treated to a deep dive into the artistry of Hanbok! It was a gorgeous exploration of how Hanbok embodies movement, tradition, and even the wind itself. Flowing sleeves, vibrant colors, and graceful silhouettes told stories older than time, yet felt more relevant than ever in the increasingly global world of Hallyu!
Idol Beauty Secrets
The idol makeup session dropped some serious gems. Honestly, these tips were so good we almost wanted to keep them to ourselves! But only almost so here you go. You’re welcome.
Blush placement was a major topic; where you put it can totally change your vibe. Here are a couple of styles!
- Under-Eye Blush: Just below the eyes, across the upper cheeks, for a youthful, slightly flushed, soft, innocent aesthetic. Example: IU.
- Cold Girl Blush: High on the cheeks, nose tip, and sometimes chin. It looks like you just came in from the snow and is often paired with a little sparkle. Example: Red Velvet’s Irene.
- Lifting/High Blush: High on the cheekbones, swept upward toward temples for a sculpted and lifted look, similar to contouring with blush. Example: JENNIE.
- Monochrome Blush: Cheeks, eyelids, and lips use the same blush or tone for a harmonious, polished look. EXAMPLE: TWICE’s Nayeon.
As if that wasn’t enough to make us want to restart our whole makeup collection, we also got an IRL tutorial on the “glitter-picking” trend. If you’ve not heard of it, it’s those tiny, shimmering flecks under the eyes that give idols their signature glow.
In the skincare panel, we were reminded that Korean skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Experts broke down the globally-loved glass skin trend (think: luminous, lit-from-within glow), but stressed that your skincare journey starts with finding what works for your skin, not just copying a 10-step routine from TikTok. (Guilty).
Working In Hallyu
For those dreaming of turning their K-culture passion into a career, the Working In Hallyu panel was a must-attend. Speakers got candid about how challenging it can be to break into media and journalism in the current climate. But on the bright side, with the global explosion of Korean pop culture (and more Western media finally paying attention) there’s never been a better time to get involved.
The panel dropped practical advice too:
- Network like your dream job depends on it
- Promote your work unapologetically
- Make friends in the space, support each other, and collaborate
And our advice to anyone wanting to work in media, journalism, or just talk about all things Hallyu: join us! 👀
We’re wishing it could be next year’s Hallyu Con already, but we know the wait will be worth it! Did you attend the 2024 edition? We met some of you, so did you say hi? Let us know over on Twitter @TheHoneyPOP! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
And if you want more K-Pop in your life, you’ve come to the right place…
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