KCON Japan 2026 has announced its lineup of special performers, bringing together established groups and rising stars for the annual convention.

DXTEEN and 8TURN will join H//PE Princess and hrtz.wav as "M COUNTDOWN SPECIAL PERFORMERS" at the event, scheduled for May 8-10 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

The announcement also includes trainees from "Produce 101 Japan: The New World" (Nippro Shinsekai), the latest season of Japan's popular survival audition series. The show began streaming on March 26 and will conclude with its finale on June 6, just weeks before KCON Japan.

For international fans, DXTEEN is a seven-member boy group that debuted in 2023 under P Nation, while 8TURN is an eight-member K-Pop group under MNH Entertainment. The inclusion of Produce 101 Japan trainees adds extra excitement, as fans will get to see potential debut group members perform on an international stage.

The timing creates an interesting dynamic, with the survival show's finale happening just a month before KCON Japan. This could give fans a preview of Japan's next big idol group before their official debut.

KCON Japan continues to bridge J-Pop and K-Pop cultures, offering fans a chance to experience both scenes at one major event. The 2026 edition promises to be particularly special with this mix of established acts and future stars.