Korean Cultural Center and Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA) to Host 

First-Ever K-POP Workshop in Abu Dhabi

– Part of the Korean Cultural Center’s ‘K-POP Academy’ initiative, exploring potential collaboration in the UAE

– Hands-on experience in K-POP dance, vocals, and video production offered for youth, adults, and children

From August 20 (Wed) to 22 (Fri), 2025, the Korean Cultural Center in the United Arab Emirates (KCC) and the Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA) will co-host the K-POP workshop ‘Kpop Academy X DIMA Dream School’ at Dee Studio in Abu Dhabi.

This workshop is part of the Center’s K-POP Academy program and marks DIMA’s first official visit to Abu Dhabi. As Korea’s leading K-POP training institute—renowned for producing top K-POP stars such as Sung Hanbin (ZEROBASEONE), Hoshi (SEVENTEEN), and Kwon Eunbi (former IZ*ONE)—DIMA’s professors and student artists will deliver hands-on sessions, directly engaging with local participants. The initiative represents a unique opportunity to experience K-POP in depth and is expected to make a significant impact on the growth of K-Culture in the Middle East.

Tailored Curriculum for All Age Groups

Participants will be grouped by age—youth (Aug. 20), adults (Aug. 21), and children (Aug. 22)—and will engage in custom-designed K-POP sessions covering dance, vocals, and video production.

The program features tracks from the globally popular Netflix animation K-POP Demon Hunters, including “TAKE DOWN” and “GOLDEN”by HUNTR/X, and “SODAPOP” by SAjA BOYS. Based on results from a pre-program survey conducted by the Cultural Center, additional popular tracks such as BTS’s “I NEED YOU”, BLACKPINK’s “JUMP”, and NewJeans’s “Super Shy” will also be incorporated into the curriculum.

Notably, the children’s session includes a video production component, offering participants the opportunity to explore not just performance but also the creative process behind K-POP content.

Workshop Schedule Overview

Building Sustainable Cultural and Educational Exchanges

This pilot program seeks to go beyond a one-time experience, serving as a stepping stone toward long-term cultural and educational collaboration between DIMA and local institutions in the region.

Mr. Lee Yong-hee, Cultural Attache of the Korean Embassy stated: “This is the first professional K-POP education program ever introduced in Abu Dhabi. It’s a valuable opportunity for participants to learn directly from Korea’s top instructors and experience the energy of K-POP. We hope this partnership with DIMA paves the way for sustained cultural exchange and the introduction of Korea’s most cutting-edge K-POP content in the region.”

Ms. Yu Mi-ran, Dean of International and Admissions Affairs and Professor, Department of K-POP, added: “This ‘Kpop Academy X DIMA Dream School’ workshop is a meaningful platform for DIMA to share its expertise in K-POP education with the peoples in Abu Dhabi. We view Abu Dhabi as a key cultural hub for expanding the K-Cultre in new and creative directions. With our hands-on curriculum and proven track record in training global K-POP professionals, we hope to inspire and connect cultures through education. We envision this workshop as the starting point of a new K-POP education model linking Korea and the Arab world.”