Universal CityWalk LINE FRIENDS SQUARE Opens With K-Pop Focus
Despite the dip in album sales globally, K-pop doesn't seem to be slowing down, especially when it comes to merchandising power within the fandom.
Universal CityWalk Hollywood's LINE FRIENDS SQUARE, which opened this past weekend, was aware of the K-pop craze and heavily fitted their store with BTS' popular animated line, BT21, and Zerobaseone's Zeroni line. They also included NewJeans' Buninis, LINE FRIENDS original characters Brown Bear and Cony, and a few NBCUniversal properties, such as Felix the Cat, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Trolls, and Woody Woodpecker, for their COLLER line.
With two other stores in the United States – New York City and Hollywood, Universal CityWalk becomes the third LINE FRIENDS SQUARE. Rebekah Lee, Senior Manager of E-Commerce & Marketing, says the company wanted to remain in the Los Angeles area, with opportunities for events, concerts, and showcases.
'Universal CityWalk Hollywood is such a great partner to work with in opening a new store in their mall,' says Lee. 'We thought we could start here and then hopefully expand to other locations in the future. Here is a destination for any character-related events or experiences. It's a great location to have friends, family, or anyone who may not even be into K-pop come visit the store and have a great experience altogether.'
At their grand opening on Friday, K-pop fans lined up since 6 a.m. for a chance to obtain their favorite character merch, especially several exclusive BT21 items sold only at the Universal CityWalk store. Though BT21 heavily filled the store, it was the Zeroni line that garnered the most attention.
Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, another group of fans in line waited in a separate line inside the store, specifically for Zeroni items. One Zerobaseone fan, who was second in line, was hoping to buy the consistently sold-out Zeroni plush keychains.
'[Zerobaseone] is my favorite group,' says the fan. 'I like collecting all the characters. Today, I got all the last items I needed for my collection. I needed all nine members.'
Line Friends Square, Universal CityWalk
Many lined up early in hopes of securing free goodie bags, which were given to the first 30 guests, and the event continues next weekend (May 3 & 4). Every visitor is also eligible to participate in a 'lucky draw,' where everyone's a winner. Universal CityWalk is also offering those who purchase between April 25 and May 4 a chance to win one of two pairs of general admission tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood. BTS fans can also look forward to seeing their favorite BT21 mascots making daily appearances from 11 a.m. til 6 p.m.
Jay Ahn, Vice President of LINE FRIENDS America, says K-pop was the biggest draw for Universal, telling us that the NBC Universal team reached out to them for their K-pop characters.
'Of course, we love our original characters like Brown Bear, but K-pop IPs draw the most fans,' says Ahn. 'If we have a bigger space, we would definitely bring more original IP as well. We are targeting to open one in Orlando, which will have more space for our original characters and K-pop line.'
Ahn says the opportunities of having the store in CityWalk are endless, as they hope to bring some performances on the main stage and large-scale events. He hinted at looking forward to even more collaborations with popular K-pop stars in the future.
NBC Universal owns and shares the rights to many intellectual properties, including Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, Felix the Cat, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Jaws, Super Mario Bros., Harry Potter, and more. Universal Studios Hollywood heavily showcases these with themed sections, rides, food, and merchandise. With events like Universal Fan Fest, which have brought other IPs into the park, such as One Piece and Star Trek, fans may one day see Brown Bear or BT21's Chimmy walking around the theme park.
Lee hopes one day it can happen.
'That's a hope and goal that it would be part of that experience,' she says. 'Of course, IP is very strict on how that works. If LINE FRIENDS are able to be part of the theme park inside, that would be a great opportunity, and it would be really fun and exciting for everyone.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
2 hours ago
- Elle
K-Beauty Fans, Rejoice: These Viral Korean Brands Just Hit Ulta
It's no secret that Korean beauty companies are often light years ahead when it comes to innovation—but unfortunately, many of the newest (and more niche) products are either hard to find in the U.S. or cost a fortune to import. The good news? Ulta has partnered with online shopping platform K-Beauty World to bring a slew of buzzy K-beauty brands to its shelves. Shop Ulta's K-Beauty Section You can now shop skin care from Mixsoon, Neogen, Some By Mi, I'm From, Chasin' Rabbits, and Sungboon Editor in Ulta stores and online—plus sparkly eyeshadows, dewy lip tints, and more from emerging K-makeup brands Unleashia and Rom&nd. And through a separate partnership with Hansung Beauty, cult-loved formulas from Ma:nyo, Mediheal, Fwee, TirTir, and VT Cosmetics are also available—from viral spicules-infused serums to cushion compacts. Below, we've rounded up some of the best new K-beauty finds to snag now—including plenty of ELLE editor and expert-approved picks. With its playful packaging and soothing ingredients, Chasin' Rabbits delivers the kind of skin care you'll actually look forward to using daily. One standout? The brand's Bunny Line Smoother. Infused with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and matcha extract, it works to hydrate and de-puff the delicate under-eye area. It also features a cooling metal tip that also doubles as a mini gua sha roller. Odds are you've seen TirTir's cushion foundation all over your FYP. After testing the viral formula myself, I can confirm it delivers impressive coverage—blurring pores, redness, and hyperpigmentation in a single swipe—and it stays put all day. Just be sure to moisturize well beforehand to avoid any dry patches. Mixsoon's minimalist, gentle formulas are also ELLE editor favorites. 'Because I'm acne-prone, I can't indulge in just any sunscreen, which is why I love this one,' says Beauty Commerce Editor Nerisha Penrose. 'With no pore-clogging ingredients and a soft-to-the-touch, non-white finish, this has quickly become my go-to.' 'I recommend these pads to anyone looking to firm their skin,' Hyo Hyun Ahn, a dermatology professor at Korea University College of Medicine, previously told ELLE. 'They deliver a nourishing, firming treatment infused with micro-collagen, ceramides, and milk protein.' What's more, they come with a set of tweezers to keep application as hygienic as possible. Spicules are one of the hottest trends in skin care right now, offering an effective, at-home alternative to professional microneedling treatments. This lower-dose version of VT Cosmetics' popular Reedle Shot serum is ideal for beginners, and it's formulated with Centella Asiatica to support skin healing. 'This new type of under-eye patch delivers hydrolyzed collagen to the under-eye area,' Sarah Chung Park, CEO of the company Landing International behind K-Beauty World, previously told ELLE. 'It is not kept on like a hydrogel mask, but rather it transfers the collagen powder directly to the under eye area.' Essentially, these melt right into the skin so you don't have to peel them off later. Also included in this set are patches for larger areas of your face. While some Korean makeup products can be light on pigment, Fwee offers vivid formulas designed to flatter a range of skin tones. This editor-approved lip and cheek tint went viral for its whipped, mousse-like feel that melts seamlessly into skin. With over 30 shades to choose from, you're bound to find at least one that works for you. Banish breakouts with this Some By Mi toner, which we named one of the all-time best K-beauty products for acne. It features three kinds of chemical exfoliants—AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs—to help unclog pores and encourage cell turnover. For long-lasting, your-lips-but-better color, our editors swear by rom&nd's The Juicy Lasting Tint. Available in 13 shades—from subtle peachy browns to rich magenta—it delivers a vibrant, hydrating finish. Pro tip: After applying, let it settle before pressing your lips together—this helps the glassy sheen stay put all day. Neogen—best known for its top-rated Korean toner pads—specializes in straightforward formulas packed with high-performing actives. These glow-boosting peel pads are especially great for sensitive skin, combining exfoliating AHAs with soothing ingredients like green tea and Centella Asiatica. They're also double-sided, with a textured surface that gently amps up exfoliation. With bold pigments and sparkles, indie brand Unleashia's cult-favorite eyeshadows are all about self-expression. This palette includes nine biodegradable glitter shades, each with a buttery-smooth texture that blends like a dream. Prioritizing botanicals and ancient fermentation technology, I'm From's lineup is farm-to-face skin care at its finest. The Rice Whip Cleanser is designed to gently remove makeup and impurities, with a creamy texture that transforms into a rich lather when activated with water.
Chicago Tribune
3 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Lollapalooza 2025: What we saw — and heard — at the 4-day music festival at Grant Park
Lollapalooza 2025 is now over at Grant Park. This year's festival showcased an impressive blend of breakthrough acts and established favorites, with headliners like Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler, the Creator. It was an exciting year for artists who've found their creative stride, from Grammy-nominated R&B powerhouse Durand Bernarr to genre-defying sensation Amaarae to mega breakout rapper Doechii, a hip hop superstar in the making. Here's what we saw — and heard. Day 4 opened in Grant Park under sunny skies, lower air quality alerts and a final lineup of music across the festival's seven main stages. Headliners were Sabrina Carpenter, making a day-closing stand for Lolla's strong female lineup on the T-Mobile stage, and New York rapper A$AP Rocky on the Bud Light. It's been nearly 10 years since A$AP Rocky last played Lollapalooza. Other notable artists for the day included Finneas, the singer first famous in 2016 for teaming with sister Billie Eilish; Dominic Fike; a second Lolla for the Latin and jazz-infused indie band The Marías; and two concerts by Rebecca Black, the first a DJ set on the Perry's stage. Read more here. Clear skies, lake breeze. Headliners for Lollapalooza Day 3 were more of a trio, with Australian electronic group Rüfüs Du Sol closing the day on the T-Mobile stage, K-pop girl group TWICE on the Bud Light and singer commanding his own strong following for his Saturday-capping set on the smaller Grove stage. Other artists Saturday included indie-pop singer Clairo, Young Miko, Two Friends, Marina, Doechii and JPEGMAFIA. The Chicago Youth Symphony closed the Tito's Handmade Vodka stage Saturday evening. Plus there was the surprise addition of Chance the Rapper with a 15-minute set on the Perry's stage at 5:50 p.m. Chance has a new album, 'Star Line,' due out on Aug. 15. TWICE, the first-ever K-pop girl group to anchor the festival, drew K-pop fans sporting trademark accessories inspired by their favorite idols — bright colors, fur armwarmers, hair tinsel and baseball card-sized photos of their TWICE favorites. 'You can definitely tell when someone's here for a certain singer,' said Bridget Sikorski, 20. Read more here. Friday was Olivia Rodrigo day at Lollapalooza as the festival opened for Day 2 in Chicago's lakefront Grant Park. Rodrigo is the T-Mobile mainstage headliner to close out the night, on the opposite end from metal band Korn on the Bud Light stage. There was a sea of Rodrigo's signature purple at the T-Mobile by noon on Friday. Some of her most dedicated fans, many wearing purple cowboy hats, made it a point to line up early to get the best view. Read more here. Lollapalooza opened Thursday in Grant Park for its annual four days of crowds and music, with a lineup through Sunday heavy on female artists — Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter are both end-of-day headliners, with Gracie Abrams and Clairo also among the early crowd favorites. Official headliners for Day 1 were Tyler, the Creator and Luke Combs, who closed out the night on the T-Mobile and Bud Light stages, respectively. Combs made Lollapalooza history as the Chicago festival's first-ever country music festival closer. At the main gates at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive, concertgoers got up with the sun to be first in the entrance chutes before the festival opened at 11 a.m. Siblings Jacob Fuentes and Sofia Pogue traveled from Texas; this was the first concert ever for Sofia, 13, they said. Tyler, the Creator is her favorite artist. 'I like a lot of music but I feel like I like (Tyler's) the most,' she said. Read more here. Lollapalooza can be seen as a safe haven — a place where music lovers go to catch all their favorite artists in one place. But along with that excitement comes crowds that can swell to outsized numbers for more popular artists, at a time when crowd safety has taken on a new sense of importance. Some of that awareness this summer is due to the documentary 'Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy,' which was released on Netflix in June and quickly became popular. The documentary details the events leading up to the crowd crush that killed 10 people at rapper Travis Scott's Astroworld music festival in Houston in November 2021. Read more here. For the second year in a row, Lollapalooza will power its largest stage with a hybrid battery system, marking a growing trend of big-name music festivals transitioning away from diesel-based generators. When the Chicago staple introduced its hybrid battery-powered stage in 2024, it became the first major U.S. festival to power its main stage with a battery system, which supplements the stage's generators with energy stored from the electric grid. This system reduced the stage's fuel consumption by 67%, and avoided 26 metric tons of carbon emissions, according to data from festival organizers. This year's system will provide 1.5 megawatt hours of storage, the same capacity as last year. The system will power the T-Mobile stage. Read more here. What makes this year's Lollapalooza especially compelling is its focus on artists who represent the future of their respective genres. Whether it's Clairo's sophisticated, downtempo evolution on 'Charm,' innovative approach to indie rock, or The Marías' emotionally resonant breakup anthems, the festival promises to be a showcase for music that feels both contemporary and timeless. Here's our picks for the best-of-the-best. Read more here. The wave of visitors should keep most downtown hotel rooms and many restaurants filled, a much-needed boost at a time when overseas tourists seem increasingly reluctant to visit the U.S. Chicago hotel operators say it's become one of downtown's most important events, and this year may be the biggest ever. 'The Lolla lineup determines overall success,' said Nabil Moubayed, general manager of the 792-room InterContinental at 505 N. Michigan Ave. 'This year's lineup is very strong, so we are seeing exceptional demand. It's exciting for us and the market.' Read more here.
Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
34 K-Beauty Products You'll Wish You'd Found Sooner
A moisturizing Mise En Scene hair serum if your locks are feeling brittle and drier than ever — this K-beauty product has you covered. It's made with seven nourishing oils, including argan, coconut, olive, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia. Reviewers praise this serum for helping to combat dryness! Plus, it smells downright divine. A satin-finish TirTir cushion foundation that offers an unheard-of 72 hours of wear while blending perfectly to conceal blemishes, redness, and under-eye circles. The buildable formula lets you achieve *just* the right amount of coverage for your needs. It also contains hibiscus and red propolis extracts to help enhance your skin's elasticity. And!!! The oval-shaped puff is great for reaching every inch of your face. I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder — a *non*aerosol option made with Korean ginseng to help revive limp, greasy hair and add volume. It's a fine, hypoallergenic powder that absorbs oil, sweat, and dirt to keep locks looking fresh longer. Your hair is gonna be soo thankful you finally found this gem. A TikTok-famous overnight collagen mask to give your parched skin a giant gulp of hydration while you catch some Z's. It'll also help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores while firming the skin and boosting elasticity. Wake up and peel it off to reveal visibly tighter, smoother skin that looks like a dream — a dream you'll wish you had much earlier in life. Medicube's dual-textured toner pads, which are super easy to use and come soaked in lactic and salicylic acid. They'll gently exfoliate your skin and reduce the visibility of pores. It's earned the #1 spot on Amazon's best facial toner list for a reason. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil for creating the most kissable pout with a moisturizing formula that won't leave your mouth a sticky mess — who knew? It contains vitamins A, C, and E, and soothing apple water for a lip upgrade you can feel good about! Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence because believe it or not, snails have the healing touch. Bonus: This refreshing formula can be used on all skin types! Reviewers love how well it helps heal acne, inflammation, peeling, fine lines, and more. Try not to grieve too hard for all the time you spent living without it. And a lightweight Cosrx mild gel cleanser so you can wash your face without the constant worry that you're stripping your face dry. The low-pH formula contains BHA and tea tree oil to help protect your face from irritants while also strengthening the skin barrier. Torriden hyaluronic acid serum complete with *five* types of HA molecules in a fast-absorbing formula that packs a MASSIVE punch of moisture when you need it most. Your skin will stay wonderfully hydrated and smooth thanks to this lightweight, non-sticky serum! Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to help *instantly* matte-ify your skin while still maintaining its natural glow thanks to the blue hyaluronic acid. It even comes in a mess-free, travel-friendly case so you can take it on the go! Your only regret will be not discovering it sooner. And their super glowy lip balm, aka a silky-smooth balm with a lightweight but high-shine finish. Wear it solo OR on top of your fave lip color for the perf finishing touch. Most importantly, you'll say goodbye to previous sticky-icky lip balms that make your question your life choices. An Elizavecca carbonated clay mask, which will help your skin breathe easier — this stuff eradicates sebum *without* stripping your face of its natural oils. Reviewers swear by it for stellar exfoliation *and* blackhead removal. It's also just really fun to use when you need a silly lil' pick-me-up. 🙃 The Face Shop's facial foaming cleanser if you wanna simplify your daily routine with a do-it-all face wash that helps you accomplish all your skin goals: cleanse, moisturize, brighten, and remove makeup! You *and* your newfound K-beauty routine can thank me later. A SeoulCeuticals toner mist that'll earn a *permanent* spot in your beauty routine once you experience its dewy effects. This skincare juggernaut is made up of 98% naturally derived ingredients such as soothing aloe, rejuvenating cucumber, and antioxidant-rich green tea that'll make your skin glow like never before. It hydrates, plumps, and helps treat blemishes while preventing future breakouts. Mixsoon Bean Essence when you're ready to leave ineffective skincare products behind for good — this revolutionary formula hydrates *and* exfoliates at the same time. Ingredients such as fermented bean, barley, and pomegranate help get rid of dead skin cells while improving your skin tone. Best of all? No sticky residue!! An Innisfree daily UV defense sunscreen you'll probably always have on hand because it's one of those holy grail products that you absolutely dread running out of. It contains SPF 36 for sun protection, green tea for reducing redness and irritation, and sunflower oil to nourish the skin. Most importantly, it doesn't leave behind a ghostly white cast and will have your face glowing all day long. And some peptide patches for blocking out 98% of UV rays because, hello, you don't have a 10-step skincare routine just to have your under-eyes demolished by sun damage. These look like stickers and have an impressive UPF 50+ rating *plus* they're enriched with hydrating peptides to help brighten your skin. Oh, they're also water- and sweat-resistant so you don't have to worry about them staying put. An adorable Tonymoly octopus-shaped blackhead remover to help target excess sebum and other impurities that might be clogging your precious pores. After cleansing, rub it on your face to exfoliate *and* eliminate stubborn blackheads and whiteheads! A Beauty of Joseon eye serum if you've been searching high and low for a product that'll actually do a number on your under-eye bags — it might even lead to tears of joy. It uses a powerful trifecta of retinol, niacinamide, and ginseng to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, boost skin elasticity, and illuminate your skin so you'll be looking extra radiant and glowy in no time. An Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil, which will remove all traces of makeup while sucking the stubborn sebum from your pores, leaving you with skin that's visibly clearer and smoother! Once you see the results, you'll be low-key devastated that you waited so long to try it. And!!! Anua soothing toner — it can calm irritation and deliver the ~glass skin~ look you've been chasing ever since it erupted on TikTok! It refreshes your complexion by gently balancing your skin's pH so it can better absorb your other skincare products. Annndd their 10% niacinamide serum that targets dull areas and leaves your face feeling soft to the touch while strengthening the skin barrier. It also contains 4% tranexamic acid and 2% arbutin to minimize the appearance of pores, visibly brighten dark spots, and help even out your skin tone. A bottle of Peach & Lily's Glass Skin Refining Serum for anyone chasing the TikTok "glazed donut" skin trend with no now. You've just found the K-Beauty secret that'll leave your face lookin' extra glazed 🍩 while also helping to hydrate, brighten, and firm your skin. Where has this been all your life?? Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a K-beauty staple that TikTok is rightfully obsessed with because it's an all-in-one magic stick for your face, eyes, lips, and neck. This moisturizer uses collagen and salmon complex to help minimize fine lines and enhance your natural glow. One order of glass skin, comin' right up! A Krave Beauty matcha hemp cleanser, aka a soothing gel formula worthy of a top slot in your skincare rotation for its calming, hydrating effects. It'll gently remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt without causing irritation. I think it's safe to say you've met your ~matcha~. Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later Eye Primer I bet you'll tell all your friends about to ensure they don't miss out on this K-Beauty sensation either. It keeps your eye makeup intact ALL day long without any smudging or creasing. Take that, oily eyelids! And an Elizabeth Mott blurring face primer with SPF 30 because some products really can do it all — this one will not only blur pores but soften the appearance of fine lines *and* protect against harmful UV rays. It's perfect for prepping skin for makeup or you can wear it solo. A Beauty of Joseon serum that'll deliver the skincare glow-up you've been dreaming of. It contains a heavenly combo of niacinamide and propolis extract to help lighten dark spots and leave you with a dewy complexion that'll have you ready for your close-up. A kimchii gel cleanser with antimicrobial properties, which can work wonders for reducing bacteria and preventing pesky pimples. The secret? Fermented radish, kimchi, and 2% salicylic acid. Your skin will feel perfectly exfoliated *and* look so much smoother and brighter — if only you found it years ago. A goami rice toner if you've been spending way too much time mourning dry skin without any solution in sight. This toner will give you a much-needed kick of hydration. It contains vegetable-originated extracts for soft, smooth, and glowy skin that doesn't feel sticky or greasy. Skin1004's pore tightening and lifting masks to hydrate, tighten, and minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off to reveal your au naturale glow. Mark my words, this is about to become a *must* during your future self-care nights! The Saem hydrating eye stick infused with the magic of Icelandic mineral water, moss extract, and seaweed extract — it'll revitalize your under-eye area *and* help improve your skin's elasticity and reduce the appearance of dark circles! How have you survived without this for so long? OR! A nourishing Etude House eye cream when you're seeking a new series regular in your K-beauty routine — that's how well it can hydrate and firm the delicate skin around your eyes! It can also help prevent fine lines while leaving your skin silky soft to the touch. A dark-spot correcting serum so you can address the hyperpigmentation that's been bothering you to no end. This game-changing serum contains 5% niacinamide, papaya extract, and plant-derived squalane to help fade dark spots and leave you with a smooth, even complexion.
