Korean Film Festival returns to UAE for ninth edition
This year's event is centered around the theme of music, highlighting how sound and storytelling combine to create powerful cinematic experiences.
The Korean Film Festival is back for its ninth edition, with screenings set to take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai. This year's festival places a spotlight on music, exploring how sound and storytelling come together to create emotionally powerful cinematic experiences. Alongside the curated selection of Korean films, audiences will also enjoy two special K-Movie OST (Original Soundtrack) live concerts, featuring reimagined music from some of South Korea's most iconic films.
The festival's opening film is Bong Joon-ho's Parasite, the Oscar-winning Best Picture that follows a poor family as they cunningly embed themselves into the lives of a wealthy household. Other highlights include C'est Si Bon, a romantic drama set in the 1960s Seoul music scene; Secret: Untold Melody, a psychological thriller directed by Seo You-min; My Beautiful Girl, Mari, a coming-of-age animated fantasy; and Jaurim, The Wonderland, a documentary celebrating the legacy of South Korean rock band Jaurim, with a special Q&A session with the director in Abu Dhabi.
Audiences will also see Dog Days, an ensemble film about human-dog relationships in Seoul, and A Tale of Two Sisters, a psychological horror steeped in Korean folklore. The festival will close with The Host, Bong Joon-ho's monster movie classic about a mutated creature that terrorizes Seoul.
As part of the festival's emphasis on cultural exchange and regional collaboration, a special screening of six Arab Film Studio titles will take place on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. This segment, presented in partnership with the Creative Media Authority, includes Sound of Memories by Gargi Chakrabarti, The First Note by Laith AlRamahi, and I See a Woman by Laura Saab.
Adding a unique musical dimension to the event, the Choi Yeowan Group will headline two OST concerts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Known for blending traditional Korean vocal styles with contemporary sounds, the ensemble will perform new interpretations of film music from classics like Parasite, My Sassy Girl, 200 Pounds Beauty and The Host.
Lee Yong-hee, director of the Korean Cultural Centre in the UAE, expressed pride in the festival's continued evolution, noting its expanded programming and deeper engagement with local audiences. 'This year, we are proud to expand that engagement even further, by introducing a special Arab film showcase and hosting live K-Movie OST concerts for the first time. These additions reflect our commitment to deeper cultural exchange and creating shared experiences through film and music,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
BTS member Suga discharged from South Korean military service, fans await comeback
21 June 2025 08:51 SEOUL (REUTERS)K-pop group BTS member Suga was discharged from the South Korean military on Saturday, the seventh and final member to complete the country's mandatory national service amid expectations of the band's comeback from a finished his military tenure as a social service agent on Saturday with little fanfare as fans looked forward to his reunion with the rest of the band, a K-pop sensation since it started up in 2013."We confirm that Suga effectively completed his alternative service on June 18 by using his remaining leave. His official discharge date is June 21," BTS' label, Big Hit Music, said in a with his BTS bandmates, there was no public event planned to mark Suga's release because of overcrowding seven members of the group put their global music careers on hold in 2022 to begin their military service, starting with Jin in December that year. South Korea's mandatory national service can be for terms of up to 18 group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, an NH Securities entertainment analyst said in a report. Entertainment group HYBE, which manages BTS, is closely monitored by securities companies.
Broadcast Pro
14 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
CJ ENM partners with Shahid to launch premium Korean dramas in MENA
The agreement will bring 20 top Korean series from CJ ENM's catalogue to Shahid. Korean entertainment company CJ ENM has announced a content partnership with Arabic streaming platform Shahid. The agreement marks CJ ENM's first major entry into the MENA streaming market, aligning with the company's ongoing strategy to expand its global footprint, according to a report by Variety. As part of the deal, 20 of CJ ENM's top Korean series will be available on Shahid starting June 19. This content rollout aims to introduce the region's audiences to a wide range of Korean storytelling, from romantic comedies and psychological thrillers to fantasy and crime dramas. The lineup includes acclaimed series such as What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, Lovely Runner, Mouse, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Another Miss Oh, Her Private Life, Search: WWW, My Lovely Liar, Hotel Del Luna, Doom at Your Service and Flower of Evil. Sebastian Kim, Vice President of International Content Business at CJ ENM, highlighted the global resonance of Korean dramas, noting their cinematic quality, emotional depth, and universal themes. 'Our drama series have won the hearts of global audiences by capturing human emotions through compelling storytelling,' he said. 'Partnering with Shahid gives us an opportunity to reach a whole new audience and further drive the K-culture wave in the MENA region.' The launch coincides with CJ ENM's 30th anniversary and follows other international efforts, including a recent deal with Mexico's Imagen Televisión for a Korean drama primetime slot and multiple nominations at the Banff Rockie Awards. Tarek Alibrahim, General Manager of MBC1 and MBC Drama and General Manager of Content at Shahid, added: 'Korean dramas have built a massive global following, and we're thrilled to become the home for CJ ENM's top titles in the region. This partnership signals a new era for K-content in MENA and reinforces our mission to deliver rich, world-class entertainment to our audience.' The collaboration not only strengthens CJ ENM's global presence but also positions Shahid as a key platform for introducing premium Korean content to Arabic-speaking viewers across the region.
Broadcast Pro
20 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Korean Film Festival returns to UAE for ninth edition
This year's event is centered around the theme of music, highlighting how sound and storytelling combine to create powerful cinematic experiences. The Korean Film Festival is back for its ninth edition, with screenings set to take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai. This year's festival places a spotlight on music, exploring how sound and storytelling come together to create emotionally powerful cinematic experiences. Alongside the curated selection of Korean films, audiences will also enjoy two special K-Movie OST (Original Soundtrack) live concerts, featuring reimagined music from some of South Korea's most iconic films. The festival's opening film is Bong Joon-ho's Parasite, the Oscar-winning Best Picture that follows a poor family as they cunningly embed themselves into the lives of a wealthy household. Other highlights include C'est Si Bon, a romantic drama set in the 1960s Seoul music scene; Secret: Untold Melody, a psychological thriller directed by Seo You-min; My Beautiful Girl, Mari, a coming-of-age animated fantasy; and Jaurim, The Wonderland, a documentary celebrating the legacy of South Korean rock band Jaurim, with a special Q&A session with the director in Abu Dhabi. Audiences will also see Dog Days, an ensemble film about human-dog relationships in Seoul, and A Tale of Two Sisters, a psychological horror steeped in Korean folklore. The festival will close with The Host, Bong Joon-ho's monster movie classic about a mutated creature that terrorizes Seoul. As part of the festival's emphasis on cultural exchange and regional collaboration, a special screening of six Arab Film Studio titles will take place on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. This segment, presented in partnership with the Creative Media Authority, includes Sound of Memories by Gargi Chakrabarti, The First Note by Laith AlRamahi, and I See a Woman by Laura Saab. Adding a unique musical dimension to the event, the Choi Yeowan Group will headline two OST concerts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Known for blending traditional Korean vocal styles with contemporary sounds, the ensemble will perform new interpretations of film music from classics like Parasite, My Sassy Girl, 200 Pounds Beauty and The Host. Lee Yong-hee, director of the Korean Cultural Centre in the UAE, expressed pride in the festival's continued evolution, noting its expanded programming and deeper engagement with local audiences. 'This year, we are proud to expand that engagement even further, by introducing a special Arab film showcase and hosting live K-Movie OST concerts for the first time. These additions reflect our commitment to deeper cultural exchange and creating shared experiences through film and music,' he said.
