PHOTO Dubai embraces K-pop stars
SM Entertainment stars take time out for a photo at a press conference at Dubai Address Hotel on April 5. They visited the United Arab Emirates to perform at SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR VI at Autism Rocks Arena in Dubai. / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Fans gathered at Dubai International Airport to watch SM Entertainment stars arrive. The placard at bottom right says "Welcome to Dubai ― from Arab Emirate EXOLs" in Korean, referring to fans of boy band EXO. / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
By Ko Dong-hwan
How often is it that dozens of K-pop stars make a public appearance look like a casual outing instead of making a public scene with high-profile security guards to hold back the fans?
Early this month in Dubai, SM Entertainment stars visited Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and took photos that were posted on the agency's Instagram site on Sunday.
It is the latest update on SM stars including Kangta, BoA, TVXQ!, TraxX, Super Junior, Henry, Girls Generation, SHINee, fx, EXO, Red Velvet and NCT.
SM Entertainment stars in a group photo in Dubai released on the agency's official Instagram on April 8.
“To all Dubai fans who came to SMTOWN LIVE in DUBAI from various regions from the UAE, Thank you for the overwhelming love and support,” said the social network site.
The stars came to the city on April 5 to perform in “SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR VI in DUBAI” at Autism Rocks Arena the following day.
was held at Dubai Address Hotel on the day of arrival. Drawing media outlets like Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Dubai TV the Insider and What's On, the event was joined by the stars who said, “Hello,” “See you later” and “Thank you” in Arabic.
SM Entertainment said more than 1,000 fans crowded Dubai International Airport to see the stars who, because of safety concerns, had to exit the airport through a VIP gate.
It is the first time that a SMTOWN LIVE concert was held in the Arabic region.