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 cultural performances continued with a traditional Korean dance piece accompanied by Arabic music, adding a distinctly local touch to the opening. A change of pace came next as violinist Daehyeon Kang took the stage with a classical performance ahead of the headline acts.
K-pop soloist KWON EUNBI then took the stage with a set built around her own repertoire, including ‘Underwater’ and ‘DEJAVU,’ her latest single after moving to RBW, home to K-pop acts MAMAMOO and ONEWE, in April 2026. She also performed her own rendition of Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating,’ adding a familiar pop track to her set.
The energy picked up again as ONEUS opened their set with ‘Grenade’ before taking a moment to interact with fans, also known as TO MOON. “What an honor to come here as headliner to shine at Dubai K-Fest,” Hwanwoong said from the stage. The group then moved through a selection of fan favourites, including ‘Say Yes!,’ the lead track from their 12th mini album, ‘FIRST LIGHT.’ The Dubai performance marked one of the first opportunities for fans and attendees to hear the quintet’s latest single live following the album’s release on September 23.
Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong, and Xion also performed ‘LIT,’ one of their most distinctly Korean-inspired songs, built around traditional musical elements including the gayageum and folk-style expressions. With the members using hand fans during the performance, the song was particularly fitting for K-Fest’s celebration of Korean culture.
Each headliner brought a distinct presence to the evening. EUNBI put the focus on her individual stage presence and repertoire, while ONEUS brought the energy of a group performance and synchronized choreography. The occasion was particularly significant as it marked both artists’ first performances in the UAE.
The following day, well-known choreographers AIKI and Choi Young-jun shifted the focus beyond K-pop’s headline artists to the artistry and energy of Korean dance and choreography.
The live shows are part of the inaugural Dubai K-Fest, a 10-day celebration of Korean culture organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), running from September 25 to October 4.
Across the opening weekend, K-Fest activities also extended to KOREA 360 at DFC, adding another venue for visitors to engage with Korean culture, beauty, and lifestyle.
From traditional Korean dance and Taekwondo to K-pop, the opening weekend reflected the breadth of Korean culture, where traditional art forms and contemporary creative expression come together.