No one does K-pop concerts like SM Entertainment. From the bright visual stage effects, signature K-pop dance routines, dazzling outfits to a star-studded line-up, the SMTown Live World Tour VI in Dubai was an unforgettable night for K-pop fans.
Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumi from Exo’s subunit, Exo-CBX, started off the show with their lively dance track Hey Mama! and Ka-CHING!, two great songs to warm up the crowd for the five-hour concert held at Autism Rocks Arena.
The first hour of the concert featured musical collaborations and incredible solo performances by soloists and group members including Henry, f(x)’s Amber and Luna, Girls’ Generation’s Yoona, Hyoyeon (along with NCT’s Lucas) and Taeyeon, Super Junior’s Yesung and subunit D&E, SHINee’s Taemin, Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi and NCT U’s Ten, all of whom flawlessly slayed the stage with their exquisite vocals and tunes.
The crowd was filled with a legion of high-pitched screaming young fans, thrilled at the presence of their favourite idols on stage, holding the artists’ signature colour-coded lightsticks and banners to show their dedication and love to the first-time-in-Dubai K-pop performers.
NCT’s young subunit NCT Dream was the first boy group to step on stage and stole audiences’ hearts with their charm and in-sync performances, while the newly reformed band TraxX, alongside new member DJ/Producer Ginjo, showcased their new EDM music style for the first time with song Notorious — it got everyone hyped up and dancing to the beat.
BoA, the Queen of K-pop, as well as girl groups Red Velvet and f(x) stepped on stage to show some girl power, and they managed to never run out of breath, even when performing some of their catchy, upbeat hits.
Legendary singer Kangta and boy groups TVXQ!, EXO and Super Junior’s solid, polished performances and interaction with fans were some of the highlights of the concert.
Additionally, the ‘Princes of K-pop’ SHINee received loud cheers from fans, performing hits like Replay, Sherlock and View, and proving to be one of the best performers of the night with their highly energetic and synchronised dance moves and perfect live vocals.
Although Arabic lyrics appeared on the big screens, the SM artists sang and danced with so much emotion and energy that it needed no translation.
During talking sessions, the artists connected with the audience, from greeting fans and expressing love for them in Arabic. Super Junior member Donghae surprised fans with a letter he wrote to EXO’s leader Suho stating that if he’d have a chance, he’d come back to Dubai for an EXO concert.
The SM artists concluded the concert by singing together Hope and taking a group picture on stage.
