A global pop culture festival ComplexCon has returned to Hong Kong for a second year, with organisers expecting the stronger lineup to bring in more visitors.

The three-day event was held outside the United States for the first time last year, attracting over 30,000 visitors.

The organiser said it expects visitor numbers to hit 35,000 this year, as it has a stronger live concert lineup that includes American record producer Metro Boomin and the well-known K-pop group NJZ.

However, a Seoul district court ruled on Friday against NJZ in its attempt to leave the ADOR label and prohibited the group from "pursuing independent endeavours."

In a statement made hours after the ruling, NJZ said the group will be participating in ComplexCon.

This year’s festival also features a marketplace for trendy products, with fans queuing for limited-edition goods of the Labubu toy created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung.

A tourist from the United States said he had been to ComplexCon in Las Vegas before and it was different with that in Hong Kong.

“The one in Las Vegas was really big, but this one still is really nice. We got the VIP ticket, so we can get in early and see what's here,” he told RTHK.

“I'm here for some Labubu stuff. We've been all over Hong Kong looking for Labubu things. We went to all the Pop Marts. Everything was sold out. So it's really nice that this is open right now.”

The ComplexCon marketplace is also a platform for NJZ to release their first-ever merchandise following a name change from NewJeans.

A 15-year-old Hong Kong fan of the group said he arrived early to get the goods as they are very limited.

“I have already queued for like 40 minutes already. I really want the keychain and the T-shirt,” he said.

“I've been really liking them for a long time, [since] I was 12 or 13. I already wanted to come before they said NJZ is coming. So it's like a bonus for the event.”

The festival, which opens on Friday, ends on Sunday at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Chek Lap Kok.