SM's Dubai concert draws crowds

SM Entertainment singers pose during the “SM Town Live World Tour VI” press conference in Dubai, Friday. / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-pop popularity in the Middle East is real.

SM Entertainment's first-ever K-pop concert in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, drew huge crowds last week.

Thirteen SM bands and singers, including Kangta, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, TRAX, NCT Dream, NCT U and Henry, performed a four-hour concert a day after they arrived at Dubai International Airport on Thursday.

Their popularity was palpable from the moment they landed. Over 1,000 fans welcomed the K-pop singers, with some even welcoming them in Korean.

Before their concert in Dubai, a member from each SM Entertainment group joined a press conference to share their excitement about their first Middle Eastern concert.

“A Salam-Alaikum,” Super Junior's Leeteuk greeted his avid fans, stuttering in Arabic upon arriving on stage.

Having toured with the biggest bands around the globe for years, SM artists seemed to know a sincere smile and interaction can go a long way in keeping their fans engaged.

Upon K-pop's popularity in the Middle East, Kangta, a former member of now disbanded boy band H.O.T., said he was surprised by the cheering fans. “We never expected (K-pop) will be [this] popular,” he was quoted by Gulf News as saying.

“Well, it is actually quickly happening and leading the trend. So we think we should make more music and build up K-pop even more, but we think the most important and powerful thing of K-pop is its speed in reaching fans. It's a very fast trend,” he said.

Fans flocked to Dubai International Airport Thursday for the arrival of SM Entertainment singers coming to perform at the first Middle Eastern K-pop concert in the United Arab Emirates. / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

The concert venue — Autism Rocks Arena — was filled with millennials who were alight with fervor and excitement to watch the singers perform.

Screaming with joy, Paula, 26 and Mae Ann Manlangit, 24, said “They are so handsome… That's why we are shaking!” according to Gulf News.

K-pop popularity in Dubai was evident in January when boy band EXO appeared there to preview their new song, “Power.” Fans flocked to downtown Dubai for the performance.

Isam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said “The incredible public response to the inaugural performance of EXO's song, Power, by the Dubai Fountain was a true demonstration of the popularity of K-pop in the city.”