K-Pop and Cultural Showcases to Take Center Stage at the 11th Korea Festival 2023

Dubai: Great news for fans of K-culture! The annual Korea Festival is making its return to the UAE this week. The 11th Korea Festival 2023, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE and the Korean Cultural Center, will take place on October 27 and 28 at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. With the theme “Sustainable Culture: Flowing into the Future,” this two-day festival aims to celebrate Korean culture and will feature performances of Pansori, a traditional Korean genre of musical storytelling, Minyo, which is Korean folk music, and K-pop. The festival, which started in 2013, will focus on sustainability and promote eco-friendly and cultural sustainability. The first day of the festival will feature various performances, including a concert by the National Gugak Center, a renowned institution for Korean traditional music, and a Taekwondo demonstration by the Ark Unit. The popular K-pop band Dios, which debuted in 2021, will also be performing. The second day of the festival will include performances by the Chungbuk Cultural Foundation and a highlight K-pop concert titled “Kite: K-Pop in the Emirates.” In addition to the performances, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Korean Culture Experience Zone, which will showcase K-tourism, K-beauty, traditional clothing, traditional games, and traditional art workshops. The festival aims to revitalize traditional Korean dance and music while incorporating contemporary expressions. K-culture enthusiasts can also enjoy a K-Maestro Exhibition from October 23 to 29 and the 11th UAE Korean Speech Contest on October 29 at the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi. The festival will culminate with the Medical Korea 2023 seminar on October 31 and the Korean National Day Reception on the same day. All events are free to attend, with a park admission fee of Dh10. For more information, visit the Korean Cultural Center’s website.