KCON attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year and now it’s landing in Abu Dhabi. Mix that in with new cultural initiatives and it is safe to say Korea is making its mark in the capital this month
With a population of 55 million, roughly ten times more than the UAE, Korea has a vibrant culture and fascinating history to share with the world. Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG have already made an impact on a global scale while the country’s pop culture, arts, music and food is ready to stand up and be counted.
What’s more Abu Dhabi and the North-East Asian country have enjoyed a close relationship for some time now. Korea has been instrumental in the construction of nuclear power plants in Barakah and Western Abu Dhabi and the Korean National Oil Company is a main strategic partner in developing energy projects in the region.
Helping the UAE to develop its infrastructure and economy for the future, the volume of trade between the two countries runs to tens of billions of dirhams each year, and now, it’s Korean culture that’s preparing to make an impact in the capital.
If you don’t know your K-pop from your kimchi, then get ready for a dose of all things Korean as the country prepares to make waves here in the UAE. Here’s what’s on the agenda:
Say “annyeong” to Korea
The new Korean Cultural Centre in the United Arab Emirates (KCCUAE) is opening its doors in the capital this month.
Run by the government of the Republic of Korea, the centre was launched with the aim of introducing the nation and its culture to the region. It offers visitors the chance to experience the language, art, food, craft and activities of the nation first hand.
The centre will feature a range of amenities including a traditional experience zone giving insight to traditional Korean household, an ICT hall showcasing the country’s technology, a fully stocked library, seminar rooms for language courses, a food zone for cooking classes and a hanmadang for hosting taekwondo.
Celebrating the opening of the centre, a host of Korean groups will offer a taste of Korean culture at the National Theatre on the Corniche on 21st March.
World Class breakdancing act Gamblerz Crew will be performing with a range of individual and group dance moves that saw the group win the World Championships.
The group will be throwing shapes and bringing energy to the event with their signature moves.
Live performances of “Heungbo’s Breaking a Calabash” in Pansori, Sinawi (traditional Korean music), live drawing and an adrenaline-fuelled Taekwondo show from K Tigers will also entertain visitors on the night.
For more information on the centre and its upcoming event, visit: facebook.com/koreanculturalcenteruae
KCON IS COMING!
In the 1990s, Korean culture was becoming so popular, the Chinese press felt it necessary to give the phenomenon a name. Hallyu refers to the wave of popularity Korean music, TV and cinema experienced as pop and entertainment culture spread across the world.
You’re probably familiar with the smartly dressed Korean who made Seoul’s Gangnam district a household name, but there’s more to the country’s culture than Psy and his captivating dance style.
In a bid to celebrate and educate people about Korean culture, KCON has become one
of the biggest cultural conventions in the world, with major events that attract upwards of 75,000 people each taking place in Los Angeles, Japan – and now Abu Dhabi.
Starting in 2012 in California, the event, featuring a convention and concert, has nearly doubled in size, proving the popularity of, and growing interest in, Korea and its unique offerings.
In its regional debut on 25th March, KCON Abu Dhabi will bring new tourism to the emirate and provide residents of the capital some insight in to the very best of Korean musical performances and culture. du Arena will be brought to life with the event that comprises a convention during the day and concerts at night.
Mike Suh, senior vice president of KCON organisers CJ E&M’s global business division, said: “The festival encompasses all forms of K-culture from food and music to style and beauty, so that K-culture fans can come and experience K-culture first-hand, through workshops, panels and exhibitor booths.
“The convention will be held all afternoon and will end with an exciting K-pop concert for fans…
“K-pop fans are some of the most loyal in the world. Fans can relate to their favourite K-pop music and they can actually feel a connection to their favourite K-pop stars.
“With the increase in world tours, global media and events such as KCON, fans can continue to grow their love of K-pop culture.”
In the evening, a packed line-up of the country’s best musical acts will be taking to the stage to entertain existing fans and gain some new ones with their energetic and engaging performances.
Boy band Bangtan Boys (BTS) will be one of the main attractions this year. The popular seven-piece group has been referred to as K-pop’s social compass, tackling issues such as bullying, social responsibility and the rejection of social ideals with their song lyrics. The group, roughly translated as ‘bulletproof boy scouts’, will be making its Middle East debut at KCON after thrilling fans during a world tour last year.
Other performers include TaeYeon from Girls Generation, Kyuhyun from Super Junior, boy band trio Double S 301, hip-hop group Monsta X and SPICA, who will be performing in the evening and hosting meet-and-greets with fans throughout the day.
If you want to brush up on your knowledge and learn some of the biggest songs before the performers take to the stage, music videos for all of the acts’ hits, including Spica’s ‘You Don’t Love Me’, Monsta X’s ‘Rush’ and BTS’s ‘Run’, are on YouTube.
Tickets for the event are selling fast, so if you want to experience KCON 2016, you better hurry.
From AED 350 for gold tickets and AED 450 for platinum tickets.
Visit: ticketmaster.ae
Did you know?
Unlike in the US where baseball teams are named after cities, Korean baseball – or “yagu” – teams are named after corporations: Samsung Lions, Kia Tigers, Hyundai Unicorns.
There are 250 kinds of kimchi, the most popular being cabbage kimchi (paechu kimchi), diced radish kimchi (kakktugi) and cucumber kimchi (o-i kimchi).
Some Koreans believe that your blood type dictates your personality. Type B is meant to be the least desirable.
Korean men are reported to spend up to $900 million a year on make-up.
Koreans have strong superstitions surrounding the use of red ink and the number four – neither are used commonly.
Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ was the first music video to reach one billion views on YouTube.
In South Korea, playing the online video game StarCraft is an actual career.
WORDS Colin Armstrong