Updated: 9.22.24: Ticketholders can now take photos of the entire exhibition.
Updated: 9.8.24: New reports from ticket goers have told us they have completely rearranged the layout. Please review the article with the changes.
Updated: 9.7.24: Ticketholders told us they cannot take photos of the exhibition portion, including the artwork made by the idols.
After postponing the original opening date for D’FESTA Los Angeles, the global K-Pop exhibition is finally opening at The Source OC in Buena Park on Saturday, September 7th.
Hosted by Dispatch aka the Korea TMZ, D’FESTA is a global K-pop exhibition that features exclusive photos, collectibles, and experiences from nine K-pop groups: BTS, Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, TWICE, TXT, NCT Dream, ENHYPEN, NCT-127, and NU’EST. The event is divided into the Exhibition, the Experience, and the MOVIE.
On D’FESTA Media Day, The Nerds of Color were given a sneak peek of the event. Before you enter, you are given a special random D’FESTA Los Angeles photocard with one idol from the nine groups.
When you first enter the doors, you’re greeted with the Exhibition portion, which features exclusive portraits of idols (from the nine groups) in color and black and white. Though these images are about two years old, the idols look amazing (as expected), and it’s just lovely to find your bias in the gallery.
As you continue walking, you enter the “Memory Room,” which features images and artwork from the groups. The idols created the artwork in a diary book, reflecting on their memories of working with D’FESTA. This was a fun room to explore because, as a fan of these groups, I’ve never come across these diaries before. Videos of the idols creating these diary entries are also shown on the screens in the room.
As you continue to explore, you’ll run into hallways of “Concept Photos” from the groups, which have details on their concepts in the photos. Then, you’ll walk through the hallway of paintings from each group (which are sold on T-shirts and bags in the merch room).
Please note: The Portrait Rooms, Memory Room, Concept Photos, and Painted Art are where fans cannot take photos (but no one says you can’t sneak one or two. We won’t tell).
This is where the Experience portion begins. There is a wall for fans to write notes to their bias, as well as check out the new “Rising Stars” wall filled with idols from other groups who have visited the venue, including P1Harmony, Rowon, and STAYC.
Our favorite room in the Experience is the virtual mini-stages room, where fans dance alongside their idols. Think of a dance room with mirrors and a 180-degree video projected—that’s what it is. It is great for dance covers, but you will have to wait for your artists to be shown. Going on a non-busy day or the later slots may be best if you want to enjoy this room fully.
There is a standee photo-op section where you can take photos with your favorite groups.
You’re then led to the Photobooth, which has a fee. The photobooth is the same as Life4Cuts, but offers all the artists solo from the nine groups. This would be your best bet if you’re looking for solo images of your bias that the other places do not offer.
There are also capsule toy machines/gachapons “The Gacha” available to get two pins from one of the nine groups. The two pins are pinback button badges with the group’s photo and a smaller one with the group’s logo. It’s at random, so play at your own risk. If it comes at a cost, it’s not really worth it.
Exclusive artist merchandise is sold across from the capsule toy machines, which includes photocards, eco-bags, T-shirts, pens, bookmarks, books, calendars, and posters. The canvas artwork shown in the exhibition is imprinted onto several items, including shirts, bags, and pens. The prices are fair compared to other stores or what the artist sells directly.
The movie portion is now in a separate room where fans can watch the 45-minute feature film of the nine groups performing. The movie is a bit awkward—it is filled with unnecessary CGI introducing each group and fiddly editing. Once fans get into the groove, cheering for their artist, it abruptly cuts off to show the next performance, essentially bringing the mood to an awkward stop. The film ends on NU’EST rather than BTS, which is unfortunate since many leave after BTS’ portion. So, if you had to choose between remaining in the exhibition/experience longer versus seeing the movie, I recommend staying in the exhibition/experience space.
For the ticket price, the exhibition and experience are great for those who are starting to like K-pop or are into all of these groups—and do collect ALL photocards of their idol (no matter where the source is). The official random D’FESTA photocard is good quality, but if you draw one that isn’t your bias, you will have to wait around to find a trade.
D’FESTA Los Angeles announced they will have special guests throughout the exhibition, which is set to end on November 2nd. Several idols, including Rowon and P1Harmony, recently appeared at the site. Keep an eye out for their Instagram for any contests and special gifts they’ll be handing out.
For more information, please visit their website: https://dfesta-us.com/
Please note: The Nerds of Color were given full access to photos/videos and participated in activities that ticketholders could not take images/videos or participate in without a fee.
