The K-Expo UAE 2025, the first Hallyu (Korea Wave) exhibition to be held in the Middle East, is set to take place in Dubai this November, featuring a large-scale K-pop concert, cultural exhibitions, and business networking events.
K-LOUD concert
The highlight of the three-day program will be the ‘K-LOUD’ K-pop Concert, taking place on November 16 at Global Village. The concert will feature performances by CHEN, Punch, Billlie, and Kim Ju Wang, marking Billlie and Kim Ju Wang’s first-ever appearance in the UAE and in MENA.
Chen first visited Dubai with EXO in January 2018 for the debut of their hit ‘Power’ at the Dubai Fountain—the first K-pop song ever featured there—and later returned that April to perform at SMTOWN Live in Dubai. His second performance took place in January 2024, during the ‘KPOP Overdose’ event at the Coca-Cola Arena, where he performed alongside fellow members Chanyeol and Xiumin. He most recently came back as a soloist for the ‘Korea 360 K-POP Concert‘ in April 2025.
Punch has also previously performed in Dubai, at the Korea Brand & Content Expo 2019 Dubai’ in October 2019 and at the ‘K‑POP in the Emirates‘ concert at Expo 2020 Dubai in November 2021.
The K-Expo UAE 2025 will run from November 15 to 18, jointly organized by several Korean ministries and agencies. The event aims to promote K-content, consumer goods, and services, while providing visitors with interactive experiences of Korean culture.
Cultural, business exchange
The event will include participation from five government ministries, eight agencies, and over 160 companies, with an expected 400 firms in total and export consultation value projected at $700 million. It was previously held in countries such as Indonesia, France, and Thailand.
Approximately 75,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day program, which will highlight Korea’s growing cultural and economic influence across the region.
The K-Expo UAE 2025 aims to strengthen economic and cultural exchange between Korea and the UAE while celebrating the growing influence of Hallyu in the region.