As part of the Korea Festival 2025, the Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, will present a powerful Taekwondo Demonstration showcasing the essence of Taekwondo through dynamic and disciplined performances, including breaking techniques, poomsae (forms), and self-defense. Through this performance, the Kukkiwon Demonstration Team aims to vividly convey the spirit and energy of Korean martial arts to the local audience. - Date & Time: Friday, November 7, 2025, 6:50 p.m.  - Venue: Umm Al Emarat Park Amphitheatre, Abu Dhabi * Admission is free and open to the public (no reservation required). * The schedule is subject to change depending on local circumstances. Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, was established in 1972. Since then, it has been dedicated to expanding and developing Taekwondo through its core initiatives, such as conducting Taekwondo Dan promotion tests, nurturing Taekwondo leaders, researching and developing Taekwondo techniques and theories, hosting the World Taekwondo Hanmadang, operating the Taekwondo Demonstration Team, and dispatching Taekwondo masters to more than 50 countries. Among these initiatives, the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team, which you will witness today, was founded in 1974. For over 51 years, the team has showcased spectacular Taekwondo performances at major international events, including the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. In 2019, the team achieved remarkable success by becoming the runner-up on the U.S. CBS television program “The World’s Best.” Additionally, the Kukkiwon Demonstration Team visits approximately 20 countries every year and has performed in more than 200 countries to date, playing a leading role in the globalization of Taekwondo.

As part of the Korea Festival 2025, the energetic boy group V.V.S. will present an exciting K-pop performance. With their passion and charisma, V.V.S. is set to deliver an unforgettable stage experience for the audience. We look forward to your warm support and enthusiastic participation. Date & Time: November 7 (Fri), 2025 – 9:00 PM November 8 (Sat), 2025 – 8:40 PM Venue: Umm Al Emarat Park Amphitheatre, Abu Dhabi The performance is free of charge and open to the public without prior reservation. Please note that performance times are subject to change depending on local circumstances.

Traditional Music Performances by the National Gugak Center  ‘The Resonance of Korea, “Bridging the World with Heung” The National Gugak Center presents an exquisite performance featuring Samulnori (traditional percussion ensemble), Gyobang Gutgeori Dance, and Pangut (folk percussion performance). This captivating stage combines the vibrant rhythms of Korean traditional percussion with graceful dance movements, offering audiences a profound experience of the essence of Korean performing arts. Join us for a mesmerizing evening filled with the energy, rhythm, and beauty of Korea’s traditional music and dance. - Date & Time: Friday, November 7, 2025 – 8:00 PM / Saturday, November 8, 2025 – 7:40 PM - Venue: Umm Al Emarat Park Amphitheatre, Abu Dhabi * Admission is free and open to the public (no reservation required). * The schedule is subject to change depending on local circumstances. <The National Gugak Center> The National Gugak Center is the heart of Korean classical performing arts. As a national institution, it traces its origins to Eumseongseo of the Silla Dynasty (7th century), later becoming Daeakseo during the Goryeo Dynasty (late 10th century), and Jangakwon of the Joseon Dynasty (established in 1466), before evolving into the institution we know today. The Center preserves a rich array of cultural and artistic heritage, encompassing court and folk music and dance passed down through generations, as well as modern compositions created for contemporary audiences. <Program> Samulnori Samulnori, literally meaning “the play of four things,” is a Korean percussion music performed with four instruments: kkwaenggwari, janggu, buk, and jing. Originating from traditional pungmulnori, it was reinterpreted for the stage in 1978 with one performer per instrument. While pungmulnori was a communal outdoor performance, samulnori emphasizes artistry, precision, and rhythmic sophistication. Its dynamic tempo changes and vibrant beats captivate audiences with energy and mastery. Gyobang Gutgeori Dance (Gyobang Gutgeorichum) The Gyobang Gutgeori Dance originates from Gyobang, traditional provincial art institutions that specialized in music, dance, and performance during the Joseon Dynasty. The dance begins with elegant, bare-handed movements performed to the Gutgeori rhythm, and as the tempo shifts to the lively Jajinmori rhythm, the dancer picks up a sogo (small hand drum) and continues dancing. In the Gutgeori rhythm, the dancer expresses refined and graceful movements, while in the Jajinmori section, the vibrant and free-spirited style characteristic of the Gyeongnam region unfolds vividly. The dance is marked by movements that flow naturally from inner emotion, evoking the state of selflessness and harmony with nature described in Eastern philosophy. Pan-gut Pan-gut is a form of nong-ak, a traditional Korean performing art that combines percussion, dance, and theatrical elements to pray for community prosperity. Rooted in agricultural society, nong-ak fostered unity and cultural creativity across regions. Pan-gut features both group performances (Jinbeopnori) and solo performances (Gaeinnori). It demands exceptional musical technique and dynamic stage presence from its performers.

The world-renowned non-verbal performance “NANTA” is coming to the stage of Korea Festival 2025! The official performance team will present a dynamic street-style percussion show using kitchen utensils, breaking the boundaries between stage and audience to create an energetic, interactive experience. Amid the rhythmic beats of traditional samulnori, the chefs cook soup in a playful sequence that culminates in exhilarating cutting board percussion — a spectacular fusion of Korean traditional rhythms and modern beats, showcasing the true essence of Korean performing arts. Experience the excitement, energy, and creativity of Korean performance culture at this special event! We invite everyone — families, friends, and culture lovers — to join us for this joyful evening.   -  Date: Friday, November 7, 2025, 7:30 PM -  Venue: Umm Al Emarat Park Amphitheatre, Abu Dhabi * Admission is free and open to the public (no reservation required). * The schedule is subject to change depending on local circumstances.

The Korean Cultural Center in the United Arab Emirates will host Korea Festival 2025 at Umm Al Emarat Park on November 7–8, to commemorate the UAE’s Year of Community.  Under the theme “Connected”, this year’s festival celebrates harmony between Korea’s traditional and contemporary culture, embracing the spirit of togetherness, joy, and shared cultural experience among the UAE’s diverse communities. All performances and activities are free of charge for park visitors.   Festival Highlights - Venue: Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi - Dates: November 7 (Fri) & 8 (Sat) - Time: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. - Admission: Free (park entry required) Programe Schedule (*Program schedule and timing are subject to change) Date Time Program Details Nov 7 (Fri) 15:00–22:00 Korean Cultural Experience Booths K-beauty personal color consulting, K-food tasting, traditional  games, K-style four-cut photo booth, Korean name calligraphy. 15:00–22:00 K-Tourism & Beauty Festival Promotional and activity booths by 22 organizations featuring  K-Medical, K-Travel, and K-Culture  18:30–18:50 Opening Ceremony Opening remarks and festival introduction. 18:50–19:20 Taekwondo Demonstration by Kukkiwon Showcasing breaking, poomsae, and self-defense techniques  by the Kukkiwon Demonstration Team. 19:30–20:00 “Nanta Highlight” Performance A dynamic, non-verbal percussion show blending Korean  traditional rhythm and modern comedy 20:00–20:50 Traditional Music Performance by National Gugak Center Samulnori and Pangut featuring traditional  Korean rhythms and dance 21:00–21:30 K-Pop Performance – VVS K-pop group VVS performs “Nothing Lasts Forever”,  “We’re on the Top,” and songs from K-Pop: Demon Hunters Nov 8 (Sat) 15:00–22:00 Korean Cultural Experience Booths K-beauty personal color consulting, K-food tasting,  traditional games, K-style four-cut photo booth,  Korean name calligraphy 15:00–22:00 K-Tourism & Beauty Festival Promotional and activity booths by 22 organizations  featuring K-Medical, K-Travel, and K-Culture 16:00–17:30 13th Korean Speech Contest Emirati Korean language learners present speeches  under the theme “My Favorite Food.” 18:00–19:40 Netflix Screening: K-Pop: Demon Hunters Sing-Along Interactive sing-along screening of the popular  <K-Pop Demon Hunters sing along> animation. 19:40–20:40 Traditional Music Performance by National Gugak Center Samulnori, Gyobang Gutgeori Dance, and Pangut. 20:40–21:10 K-Pop Performance – VVS K-pop group VVS performs “Nothing Lasts Forever”,  “We’re on the Top,” and songs from K-Pop: Demon Hunters