S.Korean performances to grace UAE presidential palace during president Lee’s state visit

A special cultural exchange event will take place at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on November 18 (local time), coinciding with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit. It marks the first time that a Korean performance is being held at the UAE Presidential Palace.

The event will open with a showcase of both countries’ traditional culture. The UAE will present Al Ayyala, a traditional dance inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, while the National Gugak Center’s Jeongak Orchestra will perform Cheonnyeonmanse, a piece wishing for prosperity and cooperation between the two nations. This will be followed by a joint performance featuring Korea’s gayageum and the oud, the representative string instrument of the Arab world, symbolizing the harmonious blend of the two cultures.

Korean male crossover group La Poem will take the stage with soundtrack performances from Descendants of the Sun and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the latter having recently gained significant popularity in the UAE. The country is considered one of the strongest supporters of Korean culture in the Middle East, with K-dramas, K-pop, and various Korean content enjoying widespread acclaim.

Soprano Jo Su-mi will then present a vocal performance that includes Ari Arirang, followed by a collaborative stage featuring guitarist Jang Ha-eun and a well-known Emirati singer-songwriter. The event will conclude with a joint choral performance by artists from both nations, delivering a message of unity.

Approximately 300 attendees—including President Lee and the First Lady, key UAE officials, Korean business representatives, local cultural figures, and K-culture fans—are expected to participate.

The Presidential Office stated, “This meaningful occasion will showcase the broad appeal of Korean culture through diverse genres, from traditional music and vocal performance to OST stages,” adding, “We hope this successful collaborative event will further deepen the friendship and trust underpinning the ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries.”