MCM Pop Asia
Pop Asia
Otakus, K-Pop and J-Pop stans unite!
Pop Asia is a celebration of everything awesome about ESEA pop-culture.
Want to dance like BTS, learn to be an origami folding legend, become a Pokémon gym leader for a weekend or just gush over your new-found manga obsession? Pop Asia is your home! Think: an anime con and comic con in one.
Where? North Hall
When? All weekend! Check back closer to the show for each day’s schedule.
What’s on in Pop Asia?
Performance Space
Learn the steps to your favourite K-Pop track, watch jaw-dropping martial arts demonstrations, or listen to your fave Anime soundtracks re-imagined; Pop Asia is a melting pot of talent.
Applications to take part in Pop Asia this October are now closed. Still keen? Apply for MCM Birmingham now!
Travel the Globe…
…without leaving East London. Pop Asia is the place for the inquisitive to learn something new.
We’re proud to partner with some of London’s most prominent cultural groups to celebrate the best of Asian pop-culture. Try your hand at Manga drawing, take in a Martial Arts presentation or try your hand at traditional dance; the world is your oyster!
Origami
Did you know…? According to ancient Japanese legend, if you fold one thousand cranes you will be granted a wish! Get started today in our Origami workshop run by members of the British Origami Society and learn some creative paper folding skills!
Manga Drawing
Discover your inner Mangaka; figure out the basics, draw your manga-style portrait, or try out a specific technique…we’ve got everything you need to get creative!
Food Vendors
Feeling peckish? Head to one of our many food vendors and sample everything from Onigiri, Lumpia and Udon noodles to tasty Taiyaki, fluffy Bao Buns and Bubble Tea. Careful, they’re hot!
Live Music
We’ll be kicking off each day in Pop Asia with a bang, specifically…of drums, as a live band plays out your favourite J-Pop, K-Pop and Anime tunes. Check the schedule closer to the show for more details!
Calligraphy
Step into the world of elegant lines and graceful curves, where every stroke is a dance and every character a work of art. Our expert instructors will guide you through the intricacies from Japanese, Chinese and Korean calligraphy. Leave with your own name transformed into a work of timeless art as a memento of your day!
Learn a Language
Get ready to embark on a linguistic adventure that will take you straight into the heart of Japanese and Korean cultures…in just 45 minutes! Dive into the dialects which bring your favourite games, shows, and music to life, and gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of the language. Check the schedule for timings; workshops happening in Pop Asia and The Platinum Suite.