The Korean Cultural Center in the UAE (KCC) and the Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA) are set to co-host the first K-pop workshop in Abu Dhabi from August 20 to 22, 2025.
Inaugural K-pop academy
Taking place at Dee Studio, the workshop, titled ‘Kpop Academy X DIMA Dream School,’ is part of KCC’s broader K-pop Academy initiative, aimed at fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between South Korea and the UAE.
It marks the inaugural visit of DIMA, one of South Korea’s K-pop training institutes known for training major K-pop stars, including Sung Hanbin from ZEROBASEONE, Hoshi from SEVENTEEN, and Kwon Eunbi, formerly of IZ*ONE.
Over three days, participants will receive hands-on instruction in K-pop dance, vocals, and video production, with separate sessions tailored for youth, adults, and children. The curriculum features popular tracks, including songs from Netflix’s hit animation ‘Kpop Demon Hunters,’ as well as BTS, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans.
“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,” said Lee Yong-hee, Cultural Attaché of the Korean Embassy, in a statement. “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.”
Yu Mi-ran, Dean of International and Admissions Affairs at DIMA and professor in the department of K-pop, emphasized the long-term vision behind the workshop: “We view Abu Dhabi as a key cultural hub for expanding the K-culture 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 Arab world.”
