Guide to Korean Film Festival 2025 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Parasite, The Host and live concerts
The Korean Film Festival is returning for its 9th iteration with screenings at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai.
This year's event is themed around music, showcasing how sound and storytelling can come together to create powerful cinematic experiences. In addition to the film showings, there will also be two special K-Movie OST (original soundtrack) live concerts that feature memorable music from the films being screened at the festival.
As part of the event's commitment to cultural exchange and regional collaboration, the programme includes a special screening of six Arab Film Studio titles on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, presented in partnership with the Creative Media Authority.
The films set to be shown include Sound of Memories by Gargi Chakrabarti, The First Note by Laith AlRamahi and Laura Saab's I See a Woman.
'The Korean Film Festival has a long and meaningful history in the UAE, consistently showcasing Korean cinema and engaging with local audiences over the years," said Lee Yong-hee, director of the Korean Cultural Centre in the UAE.
"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.
Parasite (2019)
Abu Dhabi: Thursday at 7pm
Dubai: June 27 at 4.30pm
The opening film is Bong Joon-ho 's historic Oscar-winning Best Picture about a poor family that slowly infiltrates the lives of a wealthy household by posing as unrelated professionals – a tutor, art therapist, chauffeur and housekeeper. Soon, all of them find a way to work within the same household and start living a parasitic life.
C'est Si Bon (2015)
Abu Dhabi: Friday at 4pm
Directed by Kim Hyun-seok, C'est Si Bon is set in the 1960s and inspired by real events. The film centres on the storied music lounge C'est Si Bon in Seoul. It follows two young men who team up to form a duo that would become part of the famous folk group Twin Folio. As they rise in the music scene, they both fall for the same woman, introducing a bittersweet love triangle amid a backdrop of political tension and creative passion.
Secret: Untold Melody (2025)
Abu Dhabi: Friday at 7pm
A police detective haunted by guilt after an affair and a hit-and-run accident is forced to investigate a murder that bears a suspicious connection to his wife. As he uncovers disturbing truths and hidden motives, he must confront his own past sins while grappling with a dangerous web of betrayal and secrecy. It is directed by Seo You-min.
My Beautiful Girl, Mari (2002)
Abu Dhabi: Saturday at 2pm
Dubai: June 28 at 5pm
Lee Seong-gang's animated fantasy film follows Nam-woo, a young boy coping with loneliness and the changes of adolescence. When he discovers a magical marble, he's transported to a dreamlike world where he meets a mysterious and ethereal girl named Mari. The film blends imagination with reality to explore themes of growing up.
Jaurim, The Wonderland (2024)
Abu Dhabi: Saturday at 6pm, followed by a Q&A with the film's director
Dubai: June 28 at 7pm
Kim Ji-hwan's documentary dives into the 25-year history of the South Korean rock band, Jaurim. Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and concert clips, the film captures the band's evolution, creative struggles and enduring connection with fans, while offering a closer look at the cost and joy of artistic pursuit in South Korea's music industry. The director will also host a Q&A session after the film's screening in Abu Dhabi.
Dog Days (2024)
Abu Dhabi: Sunday at 2pm
This ensemble comedy-drama interweaves the stories of several people in Seoul who are brought together by their relationships with dogs. Each character – ranging from a vet to a lonely teenager – experiences growth, healing or change through their bond with a canine companion. The film is an exploration of the quiet ways pets shape human lives.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Abu Dhabi: Sunday at 4.30pm
Dubai: June 29 at 3pm
Based on a Korean folktale, Kim Jee-woon's psychological horror centres on two sisters, Su-mi and Su-yeon, who return home after a stay in a psychiatric hospital. Tension builds between them and their stepmother in a house filled with eerie presences and disturbing memories. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes unclear what is real and what is imagined, leading to a revelation about trauma, guilt and grief.
The Host (2006)
Dubai: June 29 at 5.30pm
When a mutated creature emerges from the Han River and begins attacking Seoul, it snatches a young girl named Hyun-seo, prompting her family to spring into action. Her dysfunctional relatives band together in a desperate, chaotic mission to rescue her.
K-Movie OST Live Concert
Abu Dhabi: Sunday at 7.30pm
Dubai: June 27 at 7.30 pm
Choi Yeowan Group is a crossover ensemble led by jeongga (traditional Korean vocal music) artist Choi Yeowan. The group brings together five musicians from both traditional and contemporary music scenes, offering a fresh reinterpretation of South Korean film music. Their performances blend famous soundtrack melodies with the unique aesthetics of traditional South Korean music.
The ensemble will present reimagined soundtracks from South Korean cinema classics such as Parasite, My Sassy Girl, 200 Pounds Beauty and The Host.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Look: UAE President hugs kids, interacts with expats at Abu Dhabi sports event
Time after time, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan proves that he is truely the 'people's president'. Images emerging from a recent sports event held in Abu Dhabi have shed another light on this humanitarian aspect in the UAE leader's character. The photos shared on social media showed Sheikh Mohamed talking with kids, shaking their hands and hugging them in tender fatherly gestures. Take a look: In a sign of appreciation and love to Sheikh Mohamed, some children placed a kiss on the leader's forehead The children, who wore sports attire, were participating in Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (ADSS); the Middle East's largest indoor sports festival, held annually at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. Designed to provide a fun, safe, and healthy escape from the summer heat, ADSS includes events for sports like football, basketball, tennis, badminton, padel, volleyball, table tennis, cricket. During his visit to encourage the athletes, Sheikh Mohamed also talked to expats and posed for photos with them. Such heartwarming encounters with the President occur occasionally. During US President's Donald Trump's recent visit to the UAE, a young Emirati girl was waiting among the crowds to welcome him. She caught the attention of Sheikh Mohamed who interacted with her. And at one point, he was seen putting an arm around her as she smiled and placing a kiss on her forehead. In October, Sheikh Mohamed personally expressed his gratitude to a group of foster mothers who have been taking care of children with all their hearts.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
June's almost over – Don't miss your chance to win big with Big Ticket
The countdown is on, and all eyes are on the finish line. With entries now officially closed for Big Ticket's Big Win Contest, all attention now turns to the upcoming reveal. On 1st July, four winner names will be announced, each guaranteed to win a cash prize between Dh20,000 and Dh150,000 during the live draw on July 3. And there's still more to come. Over the past three weeks, Big Ticket has awarded Dh450,000 through its weekly e-draws. One final e-draw remains, with the last three winners taking home Dh150,000 each. Then comes the moment everyone's waiting for: the Dh25 million grand prize. One ticket-holder will claim the grand prize during the 3rd July draw, while three others will receive Dh75,000 each in consolation prizes. For those eyeing something extraordinary on wheels, Big Ticket's Dream Car Series continues at full speed ahead. A brand-new Nissan Patrol is up for grabs this July, followed by the Range Rover Velar in August. Now's the perfect time to jump in with Big Ticket's limited-time bundle deals, running until 30th June: This is your moment. The prizes are real, the countdown is ticking, and the next winner could be you. Ready to make this your biggest summer yet? Tickets are available online at or at counters located in Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport. The weekly E-draw dates:
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
'Rare portal into UAE's past': Student films 1,800-year-old Ras Al Khaimah tribe
Twenty-two-year-old Dubai-based film student Ali Fuad filmed a documentary uncovering the untold story of the Al Shehhi tribe—a resilient Emirati community living in Ras Al Khaimah's mountains for over 1,800 years. His film highlights the tribe's unique language, traditions, and way of life, much of which has yet to be recorded in Emirati history. Titled 'Echoes of Our Land', Fuad's documentary won the best audience award at Middlesex University Dubai's Premier de MDX screening. 'The Al Shehhi have preserved their heritage for centuries, including a dialect completely distinct from other Emirati dialects. But few people in the UAE even know about them,' Fuad told Khaleej Times, adding: 'I felt a responsibility to share their story with the world.' His documentary started as a final-year project in the film-making class under senior lecturer Deema Maghalseh. A brainstorming session led Fuad to the Al Shehhi people, and with Maghalseh's support, Fuad spent months conducting immersive research and production work in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. One of the biggest challenges was the lack of visual and written documentation, Fuad noted, explaining: 'There were very few films or visual records available, and even written sources were limited.' 'To overcome this, I had to personally visit these areas, meet the people, and learn directly from them. I relied heavily on the elders, who generously shared stories and cultural knowledge passed down through generations,' he added. Supported by a grant from the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, Fuad's film evolved from a class assignment into a full-fledged documentary that blends raw ethnography with cinematic storytelling. 'I lived with them' Fuad, who is also a hiker and adventurer, lived alongside the tribe during production, observing their daily lives to ensure an authentic portrayal. 'I didn't want to just observe from the outside,' he said. 'I lived with them, helped herd sheep, shared meals, and listened to the elders. That's how I gained their trust.' The film's production pushed the team physically and creatively. Fuad shared: 'One of the filming sites was a mountain village that required a four-hour hike to reach. It was physically demanding and tested the entire crew's endurance. But if there's one thing I learned during my time at university, it was to push beyond my comfort zone in order to tell stories that matter.' The crew, composed of fellow students, including producer Naiem Ayman and director of photography Hayden Diaz, formed a close-knit unit that bonded through shared challenges. 'What started as a second-year assignment became a movement of self-discovery,' said Maghalseh of Echoes of Our Land. '(Fuad) didn't treat this like a school project. He treated it like a calling.' Guardians of the rugged mountains According to Fuad, the Al Shehhi tribe holds a unique place in the UAE's cultural and historical tapestry. 'For centuries, they have stood as the guardians of the rugged mountain regions of Ras Al Khaimah, their way of life shaped by the harsh terrain and unforgiving climate. The mountains forged a people marked by resilience, strength, and deep-rooted traditions that remain distinct from other regions in the UAE.' Life in the mountains was incredibly demanding. With no roads or vehicles, everything was done on foot. Water was scarce, food was hard-won, and survival depended on herding sheep and goats, grinding wheat, and sustaining their community with unwavering determination. The people cultivated wheat in the early winter, patiently waiting for harvest season to make traditional bread like khubz and dishes such as Aseed, along with beloved Emirati sweets like luqaimat. Since machinery was unavailable, they ground the wheat by hand using the Riha (millstone), rhythmically chanting Tahweed to stay motivated — a musical tradition passed down through generations. The tribe's cultural expressions, including their unique dialect and war chants like Nabdah, set them apart. These were not just songs but stirring cries meant to show strength and unity in the face of enemies. Even today, the few remaining members of the tribe who still live in the mountains, greet each other with the Nabdah. Women played a central role not just at home but also in the community's survival. They tended to livestock, fetched food and water, and crafted everyday items by hand. Palm fronds were woven into utensils and roofing materials that provided natural ventilation, essential during the scorching summer months. Fuad said: 'What makes the Al Shehhi tribe's story even more remarkable is how much of their heritage has been preserved through time. Spending time with them is like stepping into a living museum — a rare and vivid portal into the UAE's past, where every song, every craft, and every tradition speaks to a legacy of strength, adaptation, and enduring cultural pride.' Untold Emirati stories The project has already sparked momentum for a full documentary series focused on UAE heritage, expanding the university's impact in cultural storytelling. Fuad now plans to continue exploring untold Emirati stories, from desert communities to the coastal traditions of pearl divers. 'There's so much more to the UAE than skyscrapers. Our country is filled with rich, diverse stories that the world hasn't seen,' Fuad explained. 'I want to be part of the generation that documents them before they fade away.' Asked about the most touching moment during filming, Fuad recalled a conversation with one of the tribe's elders. 'He told me, 'Now I have something to show my children and grandchildren.' That moment hit me deeply — that this wasn't just my story, it was theirs.' 'These past three years didn't just prepare me — they launched me. I've learned to tell stories that matter, and now I'm ready to take them to the world.' Fuad also has this advice: 'Be authentic. Start with the stories that move you. Talk to your grandparents and neighbours. The most powerful stories are often right in front of you — waiting to be told.'
