Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan McCray.
Morgan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, I became a kpop fan in 2020 during the midst of the Covid Pandemic. I was introduced to kpop after I was shown a song on Pandora by Jackson Wang. I first started listening to Got7 and then got into BTS, WAYV, NCT, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, Blackpink, TXT and more. I started a kpop Youtube channel for reactions and unboxing videos not long after becoming a fan. I also added Jpop reactions following the start of my channel that year. A little while after establishing my Youtube channel, I began with smaller kpop events at tea shops and local North County, San Diego venues. By 2022, I introduced the first kpop fest with the help of family, friends and the community in Oceanside, CA called Mo’s Kpop Summer Beach Fest. The event that followed less than year later included kpop, jpop and anime and was called The SoCal Kpop & Anime Fest in the beginning of 2023. As of Spring 2026, SoCal Kpop Anime Fest has moved to Vista, CA and has also received a proclamation from the City of Vista. Each event continues to grow and bring people together through music and pop culture.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting something new is definitely a journey, I think it is difficult to put this journey into a box or into one or two words. I can say that the more I continued, the more I learned from the business of hosting events and being involved community arts and culture work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always loved music and I am also a musician (pianist and violinist) and I teach music. Beginning the ventures of opening a performing arts Non-Profit and organizing music / arts events became something I love to do. Along with organizing kpop and anime events I also explore in content creation. This involves the work of my youtube channel, video editing, social media, and digital creating. A lot of which I self-taught during the time of the pandemic.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
There are so many great book series out there, I always found myself interested in sci-fi/fantasy genre. I also like picking up mangas and watching Netflix animes, C-dramas or J-Dramas when at home or visiting/traveling to new places.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.socalkpopanimefest.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalkpopanimefest/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@socalkpopanimefest?si=uzAspLcVNnyOanX4
