From Netflix's Squid Game shaking up top trends on social media and breaking viewing records on streaming sites, to K-pop acts touring (and some even visiting the UAE), it's safe to say that the South Korean entertainment industry has had a busy year.
South Korean artists continued to push the genre's boundaries by incorporating global elements ranging from Latin and R&B to rock and electropop. Now, we look back at some of the best and trendiest songs in a year that was challenging for many, but inspiring for others:
'LaLisa' and 'Money' by Lisa
Blackpink's Lisa broke out of her shell this year as she made her debut as a solo artist. Her project LaLisa, after her full first name, consists of two songs: LaLisa and Money. The single album has broken records on Spotify while LaLisa has also gathered 383 million views on YouTube.
Meanwhile, anyone scrolling through TikTok will be familar with Money, which has a contemporary American rap music style. This song also has more than 360 million views on YouTube. Lisa was ranked among Spotify’s top 30 K-pop artists of 2021 globally.
'Butter' by BTS
Butter, the second English-language track from BTS, was the song of the year. The jam from the K-pop boy band had everyone dancing and, well, craving butter. It dominated radio stations globally, including the UAE, and social media platforms.
With 649 million views on YouTube, the dance pop track has taken home several achievements including topping the charts in South Korea’s K-pop 100 and peaking at No 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The single won a number of awards including "Song of the Year" at the Asia Artist Awards, Melon Music Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards.
'House Party' by Super Junior
The group, with more than 15 years of experience in the music scene, came to the UAE in October to perform at The Palm Fountain in Dubai as part of the Korean Festival. During their concert, they premiered their newest song, House Party.
The track, with more than 27 million views on YouTube, is the second from the group’s latest album, The Renaissance.
Its music video has received positive feedback for its pandemic and social distancing-friendly theme that many found to be creative and easily relatable.
“Whenever the pandemic kind of slows down and we do have the opportunity to tour, you can probably expect another Super Junior album," Kyuhyun told The National in an exclusive interview.
'Don’t Call Me' by SHINee
The four-member boy band, who made their debut in 2008 as five members, is one of South Korea’s most beloved groups.
The Don’t Call Me album is their seventh and the first not to feature their late member Jonghyun, who died in 2017. The title track has 58 million views on YouTube and reached No 1 on South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart.
'What Type of X' and 'Coldblooded' by Jessi
Jessi, whose real name is Ho Hyun-joo, is a soloist in South Korea but originally from America. Her song What Type of X has shaken up social media with many taking to TikTok and Instagram to emulate her dance moves from the music video, which has also gathered more than 60 million views.
The sensational rapper has also released a song called Cold Blooded for the show Street Women Fighter, where Korean dancers compete to be crowned the country's best dancer. Jessi is under P Nation entertainment which is owned by famed Gangnam star, Psy.
'Rollin' by Brave Girls
Brave Girls, a group consisting of four members, had a particularly memorable year. Their song Rollin’, originally released in 2017, suddenly gained popularity thanks to YouTube.
A compilation video of the group performing the track for the South Korean military went viral, causing a surge in popularity and the song to rise in the music charts.
It became a nationwide hit, and hit No 1 on the Gaon Digital Chart and the K-pop Hot 100. The members have mentioned that they were close to disbanding right before their luck changed.
The clip stands out because of its unique dance moves, which had whole of South Korea, including entertainment channels, rolling along.
'Alcohol-free' by Twice
Alcohol-Free from Twice's 10th EP, Taste of Love, is about what it means to fall in love. The summer track, which has elements of bossa nova and hip-hop, peaked at No 41 on the Billboard Global 200 where it spent eight weeks.
The also song reached No 6 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at No 7 on the K-pop Hot 100. The video has more than 200 million views on YouTube. The diverse, nine-member girl band made its debut under JYP entertainment in 2015.
'I Am Not Cool' by Hyuna
Kim Hyun-ah, famously known as Hyuna, has had a very busy year. I'm Not Cool is her seventh extended play and she released a single of the same name.
The colourful song has a fast upbeat tempo. I'm Not Cool has been nominated for Best Album at the 2021 Asian Pop Music Awards.
The singer released several songs and performances this year, solo and with her boyfriend Dawn, who is under the same label, P Nation. She made her debut as a member of Wonder Girls in 2007.
'Bicycle' by Chungha
Bicycle, a song about moving ahead, is off Chungha’s first studio album, Querencia. The song has R&B, trap and dance-pop beats, which is perfect for those who need to get hyped up or get through an intense workout at the gym.
The music video has more than 38 million views on YouTube and made its debut on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at No 11.
'Next Level' by Aespa
Of all the groups listed, Aespa is one of the newest, yet also the quickest to create a name for themselves in the K-pop industry and around the world. From their dance moves to the lyrics, the group stands out.
They won Best Dance Performance at this year's Mnet Asian Music Awards, and were nominated for TikTok's Song of The Year. Spotify also named Next Level the best K-pop song of 2021.
The dance and hip-hop infused track is a continuation of the group's story from their debut single Black Mamba.
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPyppl%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEstablished%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAntti%20Arponen%20and%20Phil%20Reynolds%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20financial%20services%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2418.5%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20150%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20series%20A%2C%20closed%20in%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20venture%20capital%20companies%2C%20international%20funds%2C%20family%20offices%2C%20high-net-worth%20individuals%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Aggro%20Dr1ft
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Harmony%20Korine%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Jordi%20Molla%2C%20Travis%20Scott%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
