• Popular boy band Stray Kids show off their dance moves on the Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Miaad Mahdi / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Popular boy band Stray Kids show off their dance moves on the Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Miaad Mahdi / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Stray Kids performing during the K-Pop concert on the Jubilee Stage. Photo Miaad Mahdi / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Stray Kids performing during the K-Pop concert on the Jubilee Stage. Photo Miaad Mahdi / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Sunmi performs during the K-pop concert in honour of South Korea's country day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sunmi performs during the K-pop concert in honour of South Korea's country day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sunmi was once a member of the girl group Wonder Girls but left in 2010 to pursue her studies before returning to a singing career. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sunmi was once a member of the girl group Wonder Girls but left in 2010 to pursue her studies before returning to a singing career. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Psy performs during the K-Pop concert on the Jubilee Stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Psy performs during the K-Pop concert on the Jubilee Stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • During his show, Psy announced that he is planning to release a new album this year. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    During his show, Psy announced that he is planning to release a new album this year. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Psy closes the event with a performance of his hit song 'Gangnam Style'. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Psy closes the event with a performance of his hit song 'Gangnam Style'. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • (G)I-dle perform at the K-pop concert in matching attire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    (G)I-dle perform at the K-pop concert in matching attire. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Golden Child show off their moves. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Golden Child show off their moves. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Crossover act Forestella take to the stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Crossover act Forestella take to the stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The members of (G)I-dle post on stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The members of (G)I-dle post on stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fans enjoy the K-pop concert celebrating South Korea's country day at Expo. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fans enjoy the K-pop concert celebrating South Korea's country day at Expo. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fans brave the rainy weather to enjoy the K-pop concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fans brave the rainy weather to enjoy the K-pop concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Quartet Forestella perform at the K-pop concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Quartet Forestella perform at the K-pop concert. Chris Whiteoak / The National

K-pop stars Psy, Stray Kids and others impress crowds at Expo 2020 Dubai concert


Thoraya Abdullahi
  • English
  • Arabic

K-pop fans in the UAE were treated to live performances by Psy, Stray Kids, Sunmi, Golden Child, (G)I-dle and Forestella on Sunday, South Korea’s country day, at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Ahead of the concert, a media briefing was held with some of the acts. (G)I-dle, made up of five female members, shared their excitement about finally visiting Dubai and hopefully being able to “check out Burj Khalifa” as they have seen it in movies.

“We didn’t sleep the day before we came to Dubai, we were so excited,” Golden Child also said.

“Thank you for inviting us to this huge festival. It is an honour to be here with our fans.”

The 10-member boy band will make their comeback this year with a concert event titled Play, which will be both online and in-person. The band's solo concert debut was in 2020.

Golden Child speak to the media before the K-pop concert at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Golden Child speak to the media before the K-pop concert at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Many of the artists performed for the first time in the UAE, expressing their amazement at the turnout for the event, which was held during an unusually rainy day. The bands pointed out the differences between the weather in the two countries.

Rain and humidity were experienced throughout the day at Expo 2020, with the Korea pavilion advising beforehand that concertgoers bring rain jackets and umbrellas.

Stray Kids, who were named ambassadors of the Korea pavilion, had a very eventful day at the world's fair. They performed for the president of South Korea and the first lady at Al Wasl Dome and also toured the pavilions, later performing in front of thousands of people.

“We were looking so forward to this moment, ever since we were elected as ambassadors for the Korea pavilion,” Felix from Stray Kids said on stage.

I was so surprised because all of you know K-pop so much. I am so proud of you
Psy

“The water feature right in the middle of the Expo, I don’t know how they were able to build ... but it was really mind-blowing.”

The band then proceeded to watch TikTok dance challenges of their song Thunderous in a segment called "vibe together with a K-pop artist".

The event was brought to an end by singer Psy.

The hitmaker also announced he will make a comeback this year with a new album. “I haven’t been on a stage for the last two years. This kind of applause with a rare crowd, is speechless, really.

“My last song it came out 10 years ago and because of this song you guys all know me,” he said, before closing his show with the upbeat hit Gangnam Style.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m

Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m

Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.

6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m

Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m

Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.

7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m

Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.

8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m

Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Recycle Reuse Repurpose

New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to  handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors

Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site

Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area

Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent  organic waste  and 13 per cent  general waste.

About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor

Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:

Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled

Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays

Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters

Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill 

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Updated: January 18, 2022, 4:34 AM