The Korean Cultural Center in the UAE, led by Director Lee Yong-hee, has successfully concluded a groundbreaking three-day K-pop training program in partnership with the Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA). The "DIMA x K-pop Academy Dream School" workshop attracted enthusiastic participation from over 120 attendees, marking a significant milestone as the Middle East's first professional K-pop educational initiative.
This innovative program was conducted as part of the UAE Korean Cultural Center's "K-pop Academy 2025" initiative and represented the first time that DIMA's distinguished faculty and affiliated artists delivered educational content in Abu Dhabi. DIMA, recognized as one of South Korea's premier institutions for developing K-pop talent, brought its expertise to explore opportunities for introducing specialized K-pop training programs to the local Middle Eastern market.
The workshop created a truly international learning environment, drawing participants from nine different countries including the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Sudan, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and India. This diverse representation established a multicultural exchange platform centered around Korean pop music and dance, demonstrating the global appeal of K-pop education.
The comprehensive curriculum featured training sessions using globally recognized K-pop works, including "HUNTR/X × GOLDEN" and "TAKE DOWN," as well as "SODAPOP" by SAjA BOYZ from the production "K-pop Demon Hunters." These selections generated significant attention from both workshop participants and media outlets in Korea and the UAE, highlighting the program's innovative approach to K-pop education.
To ensure maximum engagement and satisfaction, the program organizers conducted a preliminary local survey to identify the most popular K-pop songs among potential participants. Based on these results, the curriculum also incorporated NewJeans' "Super Shy" and BTS's "I NEED YOU," which were identified as the most favored tracks by local audiences. This strategic song selection contributed significantly to the high levels of participant satisfaction throughout the three-day workshop.
Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for the program and voiced hopes that this workshop would evolve into a regular educational offering in the region. Many attendees praised the quality of instruction and the opportunity to learn authentic K-pop choreography and performance techniques from experienced Korean professionals.
In response to the overwhelming positive feedback and demonstrated demand, the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE has announced ambitious plans to continue developing sustainable K-pop education initiatives. These future programs will be established through ongoing collaboration with DIMA and local educational institutions, ensuring that the growing interest and support from K-pop fans throughout the Middle East region can be met with high-quality, professional training opportunities.
