Korea Spotlight

In March 2013, f(x) was the first K-pop band invited to the SXSW music festival and conference, and performed at a music showcase, KPNO, organized by KOCCA.{{cite magazine|last=Billboard Staff, Austin|title=SXSW Shorts: Charli XCX, Shoes, Nik Bartsch, White Lung and K-Pop's f(x)|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sxsw/1552211/sxsw-shorts-charli-xcx-shoes-nik-bartsch-white-lung-and-k-pops-fx|date=March 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} KOCCA, along with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, followed up with the SXSW KPNO after hosting one at Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale (Midem), held in Cannes, France; with the purpose of encouraging exports of Korean music and K-pop in particular.{{cite web|last=Bae|first=Soo-min|title=Korean music festival at 2013 SXSW|url=http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130305000793|date=March 5, 2013|publisher=The Korea Herald|accessdate=January 15, 2015|archive-date=December 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165243/http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130305000793|url-status=dead}}

During the five days of the SXSW music festival, bands (about 2,200 in 2012) are spread out over venues (about 100 in 2012) in downtown Austin's nightclubs and street stages;{{cite web|last=Martens|first=Todd|title=SXSW 2013: The music stories to watch|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2013-mar-11-la-et-ms-sxsw-2013-the-music-stories-to-watch-20130310-story.html|date=|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 29, 2017}} described as an experience where fans meet musicians close-up, without special effects.{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|title=SXSW Music: Korean Pop With Its Own Special f(x)|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/sxsw-music-korean-pop-with-its-own-special-fx/?_r=1|date=March 13, 2013|publisher=The New York Times ArtsBeat|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} The first KPNO in 2013 was scheduled at the Elysium nightclub,{{cite web|title=Elysium Nightclub|url=http://www.austintexas.org/listings/Elysium/2846/|publisher=AustinTexas.org|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} where SXSW's oldest Asian showcase, Japan Nite,{{cite web|title=Japan Nite US Tour 2015|url=http://www.japan-nite.com/|date=February 14, 2014|publisher=Japan Nite|accessdate=January 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219230800/http://www.japan-nite.com/|archivedate=December 19, 2014}} was also held.{{cite web|last=St. Michel|first=Patrick|title=Japan needs to rebrand for SXSW|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/03/21/music/japan-needs-to-rebrand-for-sxsw/|date=March 21, 2013|publisher=The Japan Times|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}

In addition to one or two well known K-pop artists, the event also showcases underground and lesser-known artists from a wide range of genres, including garage rock, hip hop and punk rock.{{cite web|title=K-pop artists to show off own style at SXSW, TGE|url=http://heraldk.com/en/2017/03/01/k-pop-artists-to-show-off-own-style-at-sxsw-tge/|date=March 1, 2017|work=The Korea Herald|accessdate=March 29, 2017}} Although 2013 was the first year for an official K-pop concert at SXSW, South Korean bands of other genres had first performed at the festival, starting with YB in 2007.{{cite web|title=About Yoon Do Hyun Band|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/yoon-do-hyun-band/biography/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408195043/http://www.mtv.com/artists/yoon-do-hyun-band/biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2016|work=MTV|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} The SXSW Seoulsonic event also schedules South Korean artists.{{cite web|last=Zimmer|first=Cindy|title=Review: Seoulsonic 2014 at SXSW|url=http://atkmagazine.com/2014/03/20/review-seoulsonic-2014-at-sxsw/|date=March 20, 2014|publisher=ATK Magazine|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Ji-soo|title='K-pop Night Out' due in Texas|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/03/386_152882.html|date=March 6, 2014|publisher=The Korea Times|access-date=January 17, 2015}} K-pop had already been a featured workshop at the SXSW conference line-up in 2012.{{cite web|last=Hampp|first=Andrew|title=Secrets Behind K-Pop's Global Success Explored at SXSW Panel|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1098373/secrets-behind-k-pops-global-success-explored-at-sxsw-panel|date=March 16, 2012|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}

SXSW K-pop and Korean rock groups are supported locally by Mandoo Entertainment, an entertainment company based in Austin, Texas, who works in conjunction with KOCCA.{{cite web|title=Mandoo Entertainment|url=http://www.mandooent.com|website=Mandoo Ent|publisher=Mandoo Entertainment}}

KPNO '13 was held on March 13 at Elysium in Austin, Texas.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Jung-hyuk|script-title=ko:K-POP, 美 텍사스 밤을 뜨겁게 달궈. SXSW 쇼케이스 열려|url=http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201303140100089230007327&servicedate=20130313|date=March 13, 2013|publisher=Sports Chosun|language=Korean|accessdate=January 17, 2015}} Music artists that performed were f(x), Galaxy Express, The Geeks, Guckkasten, Jeong Cha Sik, Yi Sung Yol, and No Brain.{{cite web|title=K-POP NIGHT OUT at SXSW|url=http://www.billboard.com/photos/1554495/k-pop-night-out-at-sxsw|date=March 26, 2013|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Oko|first=Dan|title=SXSW Showcase: K-Pop Night Out|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2013-03-08/sxsw-showcase-k-pop-night-out/|date=March 8, 2013|publisher=The Austin Chronicle|accessdate=March 10, 2016}}{{cite web|title=f(x) Representan al K-Pop en SXSW en Texas, EE.UU. Fotos Teaser|url=http://spanish.kpopstarz.com/articles/10959/20130313/f-x-representan-al-k-pop-en-sxsw-en-texas-ee-uu-fotos-teaser/photo1.htm|date=March 13, 2013|publisher=Spanish KPopStarz|language=Spanish|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} SXSW released an article "K-Pop Night Out at SXSW" and included f(x) on their SXSWorld Magazine cover for the month.{{cite web|title=SXSWorld Magazine - f(x) K-Pop Sensation Opens SXSW Music|url=http://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/129115|date=March 2013|publisher=SXSW SXSWorld® Magazine|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|title=f(x) graces the cover of SXSWORLD magazine|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/03/fx-graces-the-cover-of-sxsworld-magazine|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=Allkpop|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}

File:2014 K-Pop Night Out at SXSW, Hyuna.JPG, 2014 KPNO]]

KPNO '14 was held on March 11, again at Elysium, in Austin.{{cite web|script-title=ko:박재범 美 K팝 공연장 '레이디가가 처음부터 끝까지 관람'|url=http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/13/2014031300837.html|date=March 13, 2014|work=The Star|language=Korean|accessdate=January 17, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402230641/http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/13/2014031300837.html|url-status=dead}} Artists were Hyuna, Jay Park, Nell, Crying Nut, Idiotape, and Jambinai.{{cite web|last=Winkie|first=Luke|title=SXSW Tuesday Showcases|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2014-03-07/sxsw-tuesday-showcases-tuesday-sxsw-2014-showcases/|date=March 7, 2014|publisher=The Austin Chronicle|accessdate=January 17, 2015}} Kiha & The Faces were scheduled, but could not make it, and replaced by Hollow Jan.{{cite magazine|last=Oak|first=Jessica|title='K-Pop Night Out' Returns for SXSW 2014 With HyunA, Jay Park & More|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/5862356/k-pop-night-out-returns-for-sxsw-2014-with-hyuna-jay-park-more|date=February 24, 2014|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Zimmer|first=Cindy|title=Review: K-pop Night Out at SXSW|url=http://atkmagazine.com/2014/03/15/review-k-pop-night-out-at-sxsw/|date=March 15, 2014|publisher=ATK Magazine|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} Reporter August Brown of the Los Angeles Times described the KPNO showcase as "one of the club-circuit's hotter tickets."{{cite web|last=Brown|first=August|title=SXSW 2014: A late night of K-pop, pure noise, 50 Cent and Lady Gaga|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/12/entertainment/la-et-ms-sxsw-2014-kpop-pure-noise-50-cent-lady-gaga-20140312|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411214850/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/12/entertainment/la-et-ms-sxsw-2014-kpop-pure-noise-50-cent-lady-gaga-20140312|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2014|date=March 12, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} Lady Gaga created a stir when she attended the set for Jay Park, causing media to conjecture whether she had been scouting possible opening acts for her ArtRave: The Artpop Ball tour, after she signed on Crayon Pop.{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|title=Jay Park on Lady Gaga Watching His K-Pop Set: "I'm Honored, But It's Weird"|url=http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2014/03/jay-park-sxsw-2014-interview|date=March 21, 2014|publisher=Fuse TV|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|title=How Crayon Pop Came to Open for Lady Gaga |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/26/2014032601917.html|date=March 26, 2014|publisher=The Chosun Ilbo|accessdate=January 17, 2015}}

File:Crayon Pop filming at SXSW Austin Texas 2015.jpg, 2015 KPNO, filming on Austin streets before concert.]]

KPNO '15 was held on March 19, again at Elysium.{{cite web|script-title=ko:Music Special - K-POP NIGHT OUT 2015|url=http://music.naver.com/promotion/specialContent.nhn?articleId=5627|publisher=Naver Music|language=Korean|accessdate=April 21, 2015}} The line-up included Crayon Pop, Epik High, Asian Chairshot, EE, Eastern sidekick, Hitchhiker, The Barberettes.{{cite web|last=Minor|first=James|title=K-Pop Night Out Showcase Returns for Third Year at SXSW|url=http://sxsw.com/music/news/2015/k-pop-night-out-showcase-returns-third-year-sxsw|date=January 7, 2015|publisher=SXSW|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Minor|first=James|title=Don't Miss South Korean Showcases at SXSW!|url=http://sxsw.com/music/news/2014/dont-miss-south-korean-showcases-sxsw|date=March 5, 2014|publisher=SXSW|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|title=Epik High, Crayon Pop Headline SXSW 2015's K-Pop Night Out|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6436697/sxsw-2015-k-pop-night-out-epik-high-crayon-pop-hitchhiker|date=January 14, 2015|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}

Prior to the concert, Crayon Pop filmed on Austin's streets,{{cite web|last=Kwon|first=Suk-Chung|script-title=ko:권석정의 SXSW리포트, 바버렛츠부터 숨까지 열광…넥스트 잠비나이는 누구?|url=http://tenasia.hankyung.com/archives/474444|date=March 23, 2015|publisher=Ten Asia|language=Korean|accessdate=March 23, 2015}} and Epik High's Tablo told Billboard K-Town journalists they were excited for their first U.S. tour since 2009.{{cite web|last=Jeff Benjamin|first=Jessica Oak|title=Watch Epik High Preview SXSW 2015 Show, U.S. Tour|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6502428/epik-high-sxsw-2015-us-tour-video-interview|date=March 17, 2015|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=March 23, 2015}} Composer and DJ Hitchhiker made a surprise appearance, in his shiny astronaut like costume, at the tradeshow's NASA booth.{{cite web|last=Oak|first=Jessica|title=K-Pop Night Out Marks Biggest Success Yeat at SXSW 2015|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6524270/k-pop-night-out-2015-review-sxsw|date=April 6, 2015|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=April 12, 2015}}

This year's line-up was noted for a wider variety of genres, unique costumes and visual effects.{{cite web|last=Lim|first=Hee-Yun|script-title=ko:美 SXSW 뮤직 페스티벌 달군 케이팝 관객과 하나된 ‘용광로 무대’|url=http://news.donga.com/3/07/20150323/70265043/1|date=March 23, 2015|publisher=The Dong-a Ilbo|language=Korean|accessdate=March 23, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Whittaker|first=Richard|title=SXSW Live Shot: K-Pop Night|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2015-03-20/sxsw-live-shot-k-pop-night/|date=March 20, 2015|publisher=The Austin Chronicle|accessdate=March 23, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Billboard Staff|title=SXSW 2015: K-Pop Night Out Featuring Crayon Pop, The Barberettes & More!|url=http://www.billboard.com/photos/6509308/sxsw-2015-k-pop-night-out-crayon-pop-the-barberettes-hitchhiker-epik-high-asian-chairshot-EE-eastern-sidekick|date=March 20, 2015|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=March 23, 2015}}{{cite web|title=KPop Night Out - 2015 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/galleries/events/543409739?page=2|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=Getty Images|accessdate=March 23, 2015}} And the audience, which appeared to have grown by about twenty percent over 2014,{{cite web|script-title=ko:에픽하이, 바버렛츠, 크레용팝 'SXSW 케이팝' 열기 채워|url=http://www.usernews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=10476|date=March 22, 2015|publisher=User News|language=Korean|accessdate=March 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111040/http://www.usernews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=10476|archivedate=April 2, 2015}} shouted out fan chants "bar, bar, bar" before the Crayon Pop hit song, in unison, and during Epik High's stage, called out Hangul lyrics, along with the English refrains. A reviewer commenting on the typical cynicism SXSW attendees sometimes feel about "buzz-bands", like Epik High, noted the awed reactions of "those new and unfamiliar to Korean popular music".{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Maria|title=K-Pop Night Out Delights and Surprises at SXSW 2015|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2015/03/k-pop-night-out-sxsw-2015|date=March 20, 2015|publisher=Fuse TV|accessdate=March 23, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Dong-Joo|title=Epik High present a spectacle performance at 'SXSW'|url=https://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/epik-high-present-a-spectacle-performance-at-sxsw-054518914.html|date=March 22, 2015|publisher=Yahoo! News Singapore/Star N News|accessdate=March 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101422/https://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/epik-high-present-a-spectacle-performance-at-sxsw-054518914.html|archivedate=April 2, 2015}} In SXSW Twitter results, Tablo was one of the top five most mentioned artists, and Epik High was one of the top ten hashtags and trends.{{cite web|last=Diep|first=Eric|title=Here's What Music Fans on Twitter Are Talking About During SXSW |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/03/sxsw-music-emerging-trends-top-tweeted-moments|date=March 22, 2015|publisher=Complex Magazine|accessdate=March 24, 2015}}

File:K-Pop Night Out SXSW 2016, Mamamoo - 5.jpg, 2016 KPNO]]

KPNO '16 was held on March 16, at a first-time location in Austin, The Belmont{{cite web|title=The Belmont Austin|url=http://www.thebelmontaustin.com/|publisher=The Belmont Austin|accessdate=February 18, 2016}} with performers Zion.T and band The Session, Dean, Mamamoo, Love X Stereo, Haihm, Bye Bye Badman, Victim Mentality.{{cite web|last=Zimmer|first=Cindy|title=Preview: Korean Musicians at South by Southwest 2016|url=http://atkmagazine.com/2016/02/17/preview-korean-musicians-at-south-by-southwest-2016/|date=February 18, 2016|publisher=ATK Magazine|accessdate=February 18, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Minor|first=James|title=Lineups for K-Pop Night Out and Seoulsonic Showcases Confirmed|url=http://www.sxsw.com/music/news/2016/lineups-k-pop-night-out-seoulsonic-showcases|date=February 18, 2016|publisher=SXSW|accessdate=February 18, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Doo|first=Rumy|title=K-pop set for foreign festival foray|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160309000558|date=March 9, 2016|publisher=The Korea Herald|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Complete event listing for The Belmont|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/?lsort=venue_all_days&venue=Belmont|publisher=SXSW|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}

Attendance increased for this year to 1,300 fans, some lining up hours before the show and a general admission line of three blocks long.{{cite web|last=Park|first=Sojung|title=South by Southwest's K-pop event draws hundreds |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/03/18/0200000000AEN20160318008500315.html|date=March 18, 2016|publisher=Yonhap|accessdate=March 19, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Pulsifer|first=Eric|title=SXSW 2016: K-Pop Night showcases South Korea's brightest|url=http://music.blog.austin360.com/2016/03/17/sxsw-2016-k-pop-night-showcases-south-koreas-brightest/|date=March 17, 2016|publisher=Austin360|accessdate=March 19, 2016}} Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett made a surprise appearance. She told Mamamoo her favorite song of the night was their "Taller Than You"; and responding to whether she would like to work with them, she said, "Yes, as soon as possible. They are amazing."{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Ji-yeon|title=Korean musicians grab attention at this year's SXSW|url=http://www.arirang.com/News/News_View.asp?nseq=189257|date=March 18, 2016|publisher=Arirang News|accessdate=March 19, 2016|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321175303/http://www.arirang.com/News/News_View.asp?nseq=189257|url-status=dead}}

Dean responded to the warm welcome he received at his first performance at a major international music festival, that the underage girls hanging around in the parking lot next to the stage area (to hear the music, though they couldn't see the stage) made him feel like Justin Bieber.{{cite web|last=Doo|first=Rumy|title=[Hallyu power] Getting to know Dean: Musician, storyteller, rebel at heart|url=https://heraldk.com/en/2016/03/29/hallyu-power-getting-to-know-dean-musician-storyteller-rebel-at-heart/|date=March 29, 2016|publisher=The Korea Herald|accessdate=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417182113/https://heraldk.com/en/2016/03/29/hallyu-power-getting-to-know-dean-musician-storyteller-rebel-at-heart/|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:SXSW 2016 Big Phony.jpg

KPNO '17 was held on March 17, for a second time at The Belmont, with artists Big Phony, Galaxy Express, No Brain, MFBTY (Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae and Bizzy), Hyolyn of Sistar, and Red Velvet,{{cite magazine|last=Herman|first=Tamar|title=10 Must-Watch Korean Acts at SXSW 2017|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7718069/sxsw-2017-korean-acts-must-see|date=March 10, 2017|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Minor|first=James|title=K-Pop Night Out's 5-Year Anniversary at SXSW|url=https://www.sxsw.com/music/2017/k-pop-night-5-year-anniversary/|date=January 23, 2017|work=SXSW|accessdate=January 23, 2017}} with about 2,500 in attendance.{{cite web|title=2,500 flock to 2017 SXSW's K-pop night: Seoul agency |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/03/20/0200000000AEN20170320006000315.html|date=March 20, 2017|work=Yonhap|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Loccisano|first=Michael|title=TX:KPop Night Out - 2017 SXSW Conference and Festivals|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/search/events/700020581?excludenudity=true&sort=best&phrase=&family=editorial#license|date=March 17, 2017|work=Getty Images|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}

As in prior years, the concert included other genres of South Korean music besides K-pop. About the upcoming trip to SXSW, punk rock band No Brain's leader and vocalist Lee Sung-woo said, "I think it's important to show off our own colors (as an artist). Some Asian artists tend to get timid in a foreign country, but the music is a language in itself." And Korean hip-hop's Tiger JK said, "There's no exact answer (on how to be successful overseas), but I think trying your best to make your own kind of music would give you the best shot."

The meet-and-greet artist experience included a "MU:CON K-Pop Industry Party,"{{cite web|title=K-Pop Night Out|url=https://www.mucon.global/sxsw2017/kpno|work=MU:CON|accessdate=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330084054/https://www.mucon.global/sxsw2017/kpno|archive-date=March 30, 2017|url-status=dead}} and media contacts with Big Phony,{{cite web|title=K-Pop Night Out (Ages 18+) Presents:Big Phony|url=http://austin.floodmagazine.com/events/2017/3/17/big-phony-official|date=March 17, 2017|work=Flood Magazine|accessdate=March 29, 2017}} Galaxy Express,{{cn|date=August 2023}} Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae,{{cite magazine|last=Herman|first=Tamar|title=Korean Hip-Hop Icons Yoonmirae & Tiger JK Reflect on Their Music, Careers and Parenthood at SXSW|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sxsw/7728744/korea-hip-hop-yoonmirae-tiger-jk-reflect-sxsw|date=March 20, 2017|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 27, 2017}} and Red Velvet.{{cite magazine|last=Herman|first=Tamar|title=Red Velvet Discuss Their Musical Identity and Headlining SXSW's K-Pop Night Out|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sxsw/7728798/red-velvet-headlining-sxsw-k-pop-night-out-interview|date=March 20, 2017|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|title=Red Velvet Talks Tackling Different Genres, Maturing and Performing at SXSW 2017|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2017/03/red-velvet-sxsw-2017-k-pop-night-out-rookie-interview|date=March 23, 2017|work=Fuse|accessdate=March 27, 2017}} Other artists joined the line-up, including Busker Busker's U.S. born Brad Moore with Big Phony's set, and members of Tiger JK's Feel Ghood Music label, singer-producer Ann One and newly signed Junoflo, a hip-hop artist and prior contestant on Show Me the Money 5.{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|title=Fifth Annual K-Pop Night Out Marks Biggest Success Yet at SXSW 2017: Photos From Inside the Showcase|url=http://www.fuse.tv/galleries/2017/03/kpop-night-out-sxsw-2017-photos-review|date=March 21, 2017|work=Fuse|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}

It was a return to her Texas birthplace for Yoon Mi-rae. Hyolyn extended her U.S. trip with concerts at clubs in New York and Los Angeles,{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Joel|title=Hyolyn to perform at SXSW, NYC and LA |url=http://www.kpopherald.com/view.php?ud=201703161541422586591_2|date=March 16, 2017|work=K-Pop Herald|accessdate=March 29, 2017}} and K-pop headliner Red Velvet traveled on to KCON Mexico for a following night's concert. Red Velvet received fan gifts onstage, including a can of her favorite Pringles for Seulgi, and Yeri, who had researched Texas online, said in an interview that she hoped to have time to eat steak before leaving.

File:DPR Live SXSW Korea Spotlight 2018.jpg, 2018 Korea Spotlight]]

The event, with a name change to Korea Spotlight, was held on March 16, again at The Belmont, with artists: Crush (R&B soloist), Lee Hi (K-pop soloist), K.A.R.D (K-pop co-ed quartet), DPR Live (hip-hop), CIFIKA (pop-futurist), Junoflo (hip-hop) and Say Sue Me (indie rock).{{cite web|last=Yeates|first=Daysi|title=Korean Entertainment hits SXSW 2018|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/korean-entertainment-hits-sxsw-2018/269-529498089|date=March 17, 2018|work=KVUE|accessdate=January 29, 2019}}

The 2019 event was held on March 13, at a new venue, Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater (ACL Live), with the line-up of artists: K-pop performers iKon and Chungha, EDM producer Hitchhiker, experimental rock group Jambinai, hip hop duo XXX and solo electronic artist Kirara.{{cite magazine|last=Herman|first=Tamar|title=SXSW's Korea Spotlight Announces Lineup Featuring iKON, Chung Ha, XXX & More|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8495198/sxsw-korea-spotlight-lineup|date=January 28, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 29, 2019}}{{cite web|title=SXSW: Korea Spotlight wows crowd at ACL Live|url=https://www.austin360.com/photogallery/TX/20190319/NEWS/314009995/PH/1|date=March 19, 2019|work=austin360|accessdate=August 31, 2019}}{{cite web|last=Helen Kim and Hanna Jung|title=SXSW2019 코리아 스포트라이트, Kpop으로 SXSW를 달궜다|url=https://www.koreadailytx.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=j_austin&wr_id=313|date=March 16, 2019|work=The Korea Daily Texas|language=ko|accessdate=August 31, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2013, The Japan Times said, "K-Pop Night Out — an event featuring only one act one could describe as "pop" — reveled in being Korean," and New York City's Fuse TV staff listed f(x) as one of the "30 Must-See Acts at SXSW 2013".{{cite web|last=Fuse staff|title=30 Must-See Acts at SXSW 2013|url=http://www.fuse.tv/galleries/2013/02/sxsw-2013-must-see-bands-south-by-southwest#17|date=February 28, 2013|publisher=Fuse TV|accessdate=January 15, 2015}}

In 2014, Korea.net said "Famous U.S. pop singer Lady Gaga surprised the audience by showing up to enjoy the live concert, reflecting her strong interest in K-pop."{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=Sojung|title=K-music sweeps SXSW|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=118193|date=March 17, 2014|publisher=Korea.net|accessdate=January 15, 2015}} And the Los Angeles Times said of Hyuna's set, "...the very polyglot crowd at her short but packed-out showcase implied that K-pop has crossed the finish line into an established genre in America."

In 2015, the Barberettes were placed on four "best" lists, NPR's All Songs Considered,{{cite web|last=NPR Music Staff|title=NPR Music At SXSW 2015: Tuesday|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2015/03/18/393775296/npr-music-at-sxsw-2015-tuesday|date=March 18, 2015|publisher=NPR All Songs Considered|accessdate=March 24, 2015}} and two women's magazines, Marie Claire{{cite web|last=Valenti|first=Lauren|title=The 30 Best Songs We Heard at SXSW|url=http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a13772/best-of-sxsw-playlist-2015/|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=Marie Claire|accessdate=March 24, 2015}} and Bitch,{{cite web|last=Presley|first=Katie|title=15 Female-Fronted Bands to Love at SXSW|url=http://bitchmagazine.org/post/15-female-fronted-bands-to-love-at-sxsw|date=March 18, 2015|publisher=Bitch|accessdate=March 24, 2015}} and a newspaper, the San Jose Mercury News.{{cite web|last=Dufrene|first=Mark|title=Photos: SXSW bands which totally killed it in Austin and are coming to the Bay area this year|url=http://photos.mercurynews.com/2015/03/25/photos-sxsw-bands-which-totally-killed-it-in-austin-and-are-coming-to-the-bay-area-this-year/#5|date=March 25, 2015|work=San Jose Mercury News|accessdate=April 2, 2015}} And MTV Iggy said that KPNO "now felt like part of SXSW's DNA" and had become a "newly-minted staple" for Korean music at SXSW.{{cite web|last=St. Michel|first=Patrick|title=K-Pop Night Out Shines Through at SXSW 2015|url=http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/sxsw-2015-k-pop-night-out-recap-review-crayon-pop-epik-high/|date=March 23, 2015|publisher=MTV Iggy|accessdate=March 24, 2015}}

In the 2017 announcements, Thomas Fawcett of The Austin Chronicle said, "If The Black Eyed Peas were Korean they'd be Drunken Tiger,"{{cite web|last=Fawcett|first=Thomas|title=Music - Animal Kingdom|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2017-03-17/animal-kingdom/|date=March 17, 2017|work=The Austin Chronicle|accessdate=March 27, 2017}} and staff at theguardian.com wrote, "Of the officially sanctioned slots, you'd struggle to find a more fun-sounding evening than the K-Pop Night Out..., where Red Velvet, Hyolyn of SISTAR and the hip-hop stars Drunken Tiger all preach the gospel of Seoul."{{cite web|last= Olivia Solon, Andrew Pulver, Benjamin Lee and Lanre Bakare|title=SXSW 2017: your guide to the best music, films and TV|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/mar/09/sxsw-2017-guide-best-music-films-tv-music-interactive|date=March 9, 2017|work=theguardian.com|accessdate=March 27, 2017}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|K-Pop Night Out at SXSW}}

Category:2013 concert tours

Category:2014 concert tours

Category:K-pop concerts

Category:K-pop festivals