Dubai: Over the weekend, a group of teens brought catchy tunes, sophisticated choreography and exuberant performances to a pop-up market in Dubai’s newer mall. Wearing preppy shirts, skirts and jeans, showing off colorful hair, and dancing to covers of K-Pop hits like Cheers by SVT, Black Mamba by Aespa, Love Dive by Ive and My Treasure by Treasure I was.
The teenager is a member of Dubai-based K-Pop dance cover group Zen1th (which spells the number 1 instead of i), which formed two years ago and whose members are between the ages of 14 and 18. range. Although they are all Filipino, they come from different social backgrounds and study in different schools. They were united by their love of Korean popular culture, which has influenced their lives since elementary school.
Korean
Most members of the group were born and raised in the UAE, but they grew up in a close-knit Filipino community. Lyrics they may or may not fully understand.
But for fans of Korean pop and K-pop, it’s more than just a music genre. “Catchy sounds and well-choreographed dances in his routines lead him to break down language and cultural barriers,” says Zen1th co-leader and one of the founders of his 17-year-old Jamaican Perez told Gulf his news.
“We can still identify with Filipino culture, but Hallyu and Hallyu are breaking stereotypes and transcending cultures, attracting fans around the world.”
Perez and her group draw inspiration from K-pop’s diverse styles and aesthetics. “She has the ability to integrate all aspects of music, art and dance on her one stage,” she said, adding: Very fun. “
Members of Dubai-based K-pop dance cover group Zen1th, formed two years ago, perform at K-Market in Dubai Festival City.
sync and community
Dancing together is at the heart of K-POP, with an emphasis on visual elements and colorful productions. Her 18-year-old Sarah Basug, co-leader of Zen1th, explains: Groups that can have up to 20 members must also move in sync. ”
Learning K-pop choreography and practicing how to dance in perfect synchronicity has inevitably helped Zen1th grow and become a cohesive group. It started with 6 members, Faith, Dennis and Mia, and now has 13 active members.
“K-Pop has high standards and strives for perfection. This is K-Pop’s biggest influence in our lives,” said the member of Zen1th. As a K-Pop dance cover group, they recreate the choreography and performances of idols (called K-Pop stars) with meticulous attention to detail. They also lip-sync Korean lyrics and perform in flashy costumes.
“Listening to K-pop music, practicing choreography, and dancing together has brought us such a fun camaraderie,” they added.
Korean food stalls at K Market in Dubai Festival City
to reach the summit
“We named our group Zen1th because our goal is to reach the highest point we can. 1 of,” they said, flashing their thumb and index finger to indicate a hand signal forming the letter Z with their left and right hands.
Last year, the group was invited by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to perform at the Korean Pavilion at the 2020 Dubai International Expo. They also recently performed at K-Blaze (Korean Street Food Contest & Dance Party) in Dubai.
Members of Dubai-based K-pop dance cover group Zen1th, formed two years ago, perform at K-Market in Dubai Festival City.
Basug, who also plans to study medicine at university, said her group is just one of many K-Pop dance cover groups in the UAE. she said:community experience
Genevieve Coraco
Meanwhile, Genevieve Colaco, Regional General Manager of Marketing and Customer Experience, Al-Futtaim Malls said: .
she said: With this clear desire to experience Korea’s rich culture and her Al-Futtaim Malls continued commitment to providing a new and dynamic customer experience, Festival Plaza is delighted to welcome guests to K Market. think. interest. ”
K-Market concluded on August 28th at Jebel Ali’s Festival Plaza. There were stalls offering Korean staples such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), gimbap (rice balls), kimchi (fermented side dishes), corn dogs, and tapioca tea. Skin care, cosmetics, novelties, and of course, performances by K-POP dance groups.
