Author: Samar Khouri

TWS address the expectations and uncertainties of pursuing their goals on ‘TO US’, their second single album. Led by ‘Call My Name,’ the three-track release draws on conversations with the six members about their experiences, their commitment to performing, and the pressures they face. Candid snapshot of youth ‘TO US’ was developed through discussions with SHINYU, DOHOON, YOUNGJAE, HANJIN, JIHOON, and KYUNGMIN. Those conversations covered both the excitement of working toward the group’s ambitions and the doubts that arise along the way. The six members’ relationship with their fans, known as 42, also informs the album. YOUNGJAE, SHINYU, and DOHOON…

Galaxy Corporation, best known as G-DRAGON’s agency, has unveiled Galaxy Robot Arena Dubai at Reel Cinemas in Dubai Mall, introducing a venue for robot performances and audience interaction as part of its expansion into the Middle East. The South Korean entertainment technology startup describes the venue as the world’s first robot arena to operate within a cinema, bringing robotics-based entertainment into a space traditionally used for film screenings. Robots in action The robots danced to K-pop tracks including aespa’s ‘Whiplash’ and G-Dragon’s ‘Power’, as well as Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’ featuring Bruno Mars and local music. They also performed karate…

Netflix marked its 10th anniversary in Korea with ‘Netflix Janchi,’ a fan event held in Seoul on October 24–25, releasing figures on Korean programming’s international viewership and presenting first looks at ‘Possible Love,’ ‘Tantara,’ ‘All of Us Are Dead’ Season 2, and ‘Solo Leveling.’ “For Netflix, Korea is more than a market. It is where we discovered new possibilities, and where we learned how far a story can travel. And it is one of our most treasured partners for the future we are building together,” Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at the event. Viewing figures According to Netflix, over 200 Korean…

TWICE’s JIHYO has announced her departure from JYP Entertainment after 21 years and the launch of her own agency, EMITHAUS, for solo activities. “After 21 years, my journey with JYP Entertainment, which began when I was just a child, has come to an end,” she wrote in a handwritten letter posted on Instagram. She will remain active with the K-pop group. JIHYO thanked JYP staff for supporting her from childhood into adulthood. She acknowledged both the good and difficult experiences at the company, saying they had shaped who she is today. Independent solo management “To me, independence is not so…

K-pop rookie group EMOTI is set to take the stage at B1 Mall in Al Barsha next month for Korean Culture Festival 2026. Meet EMOTI Formed under DNA Entertainment, EMOTI:M is a five-member multinational boy group comprising South Korean members Ju Hyun, Chan Yul and Jin Won, Japanese member Rei and Hong Kong-born Yeong Ho. The group made its debut on July 31 with its first single album, ‘CONNECT,’ featuring the lead track ‘SPARK’. Their upcoming appearance in Dubai will offer UAE-based K-pop fans an opportunity to see the rookie group live, just months after its debut. The quintet’s exact…

South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM and MBC GROUP have signed a long-term strategic partnership to expand Korean content across MENA, building on their existing relationship and extending collaboration across streaming and linear television to unlock new growth opportunities. TVING on SHAHID Under the agreement, its Arabic-language streaming platform MBC SHAHID will introduce a dedicated TVING hub featuring Korean content from CJ ENM, TVING and South Korean production studios. More than 13 new titles are scheduled for release in 2026, alongside more than 20 titles from CJ ENM’s existing content library, with the volume of available titles set to increase…

KWON EUNBI earned the moniker “summer queen” following her Waterbomb performance in 2023. In Dubai, the heat was familiar territory, but the festival was a new experience. The South Korean singer joined the inaugural Dubai K-Fest, a celebration of Korean music, film, food, fashion, and beauty, for her first performance in the UAE. She arrived feeling both nervous and excited, with the anticipation of meeting fans adding to her happiness. “This is my first time coming to Dubai, and I am very happy and excited to be here. I came with such anticipation, knowing that I can present my performance…

Dubai K-Fest kicked off its opening weekend at Festival Bay in Dubai Festival City Mall (DFC) with an evening that brought together Korean traditional dance, Taekwondo, classical music, and K-pop. The free-to-attend concert featured South Korean soloist KWON EUNBI and boy group ONEUS, with the IMAGINE show’s water, light, and visual effects providing a backdrop throughout. The live show opened with traditional Korean dance, setting the tone for the festival and introducing audiences to the cultural spirit of Korea. This was followed by SHOW TAEKWON, whose performance brought together traditional Korean martial arts and dance in a dynamic showcase. The…

Netflix’s limited series ‘The Scandal’ has entered the streaming platform’s top 10 in Qatar, marking its first appearance on the chart in the Middle East during its debut week of September 14–20, 2026. Qatar debut The eight-episode series was also among Netflix’s global non-English TV hits for the week, ranking at No. 7 worldwide with 1.9 million views. It also recorded 14.5 million hours of viewing. ‘The Scandal’ appeared in Netflix’s top 10 in 10 countries, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam, and reached No. 1 in South Korea. Global reach Qatar was the…

Dubai is bringing Korean culture to the city with its first-ever K-Fest, featuring live performances, Korean film screenings, K-beauty, K-food and more, from September 25 to October 4. Opening concert Under the theme ‘Discover Korea in Dubai’, the 10-day festival will kick off on September 25 at Festival Bay in Dubai Festival City Mall (DFC) with a free concert featuring solo artist KWON EUNBI, former member of K-pop group IZ*ONE, and the South Korean boy band ONEUS. For ONEUS, the Dubai performance follows the release of their 12th mini album, ‘FIRST LIGHT.’ The evening will begin at 7:30 pm with…