If you’ve ever been to Japan or South Korea, then you’ll know that K-Pop (Korean Pop) is a huge thing. East Asia’s biggest music subculture, which originated in South Korea and has spread in popularity across the region, has millions of screaming fans lusting over pristine, militant and proudly-manufactured pop acts and while you may be unfamiliar with the phenomenon, or not be into ‘pop’ music, it’s definitely an experience worth having at one point in your life. Which is why we’re pretty excited about this weekend, as Korea’s first cultural convention in the Middle East, KCON 2016, is taking place at the du Arena, Abu Dhabi on 25 March,
On the line up is some of Korea’s biggest names in pop including American/South Korean pop star Ailee, dubbed the Korean Beyonce (yes, really!), BTS (above), TAEYEON (Girls’ Generation), KYUHYUN (Super Junior), Double S 301, MONSTA X, and SPICA.
As well as music, the convention, which has travelled to other major cities in the US and Japan since it launched in 2012, will be hosting lots of other activities which best represent Korean culture, including K-beauty and K-food, marking a first for the Middle East. While you may not immediately think this will be your thing, it’s fascinating to experience a cultural phenomenon so alien to Western or Middle Eastern culture, which is why we think it’s worth hitting the E11 for.
More information about the KCON 2016 Abu Dhabi concert line-up and ticket sales can be found on the KPOP global platform Mwave, www.mwave.me or buy tickets here.