K-pop mania takes over Riyadh as KCON returns with a bang

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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists. (@kconsaudiarabia)
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Updated 09 October 2023
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K-pop mania takes over Riyadh as KCON returns with a bang

  • 14 Korean bands and a cultural extravaganza for K-pop enthusiasts

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s capital felt the full force of K-pop fandom as KCON’s premier music festival made its grand return over the weekend at Mohammed Abdo Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City on Friday, featuring 14 Korean bands.

Last year, Riyadh hosted the Kingdom’s inaugural KCON music and cultural festival, and this year’s Riyadh KCON featured even more Korean acts than the previous year, along with an exhibition dedicated to Korean culture and a market selling a variety of Korean products.

The two-day KCON 2023 festival featured Korean bands and solo artists, including Everglow, Highlight, Kard, Riize, Super Junior, Dreamcatcher, EL7Z Up, Evnne, Oh My Girl, Tempest, and The New Six.

Some of the shows included meet-and-greet sessions, during which fans received signed photographs of their favorite K-pop albums.

“I love this year’s line-up, which included Korean bands from the first wave of K-pop, Super Junior and Highlight. I listened to their music as a teenager, and I am 28 years old now. I never thought I would see them live, let alone in Riyadh,” said Razan Al-Harbi, a first-time attendee of Riyadh KCON.

“Their energy is beyond amazing. I attended other concerts before, but KCON has always been different. It not only brings our favorite Korean bands and artists here to our home, but also elements of Korean culture to Riyadh, like food, snacks, and other products,” said Reem Ibrahim, a second-time attendee at Riyadh KCON.

KCON is one of the largest Korean cultural festivals, created by Koreaboo and organized by CJ ENM, a Seoul-based entertainment company.

The Kingdom’s hosting of KCON is part of an agreement signed between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and CJ ENM in June 2022, reflecting the ministry’s efforts to promote international cultural exchange in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

“Korea and Saudi Arabia have been economic partners for the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. And through the spread of Korean culture, we seek to further enhance cultural and tourism exchanges between Korea and Saudi Arabia,” said Seo Young-Choong, executive vice president of the international tourism division of the Korea National Tourism Organization.

He added: “Saudi nationals represent about 55 percent of the total winter tourism market in the (Gulf Cooperation Council). It has, therefore, emerged as a very important strategic market for tourism in Korea.”

KNTO held a marketing pavilion for Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 at the KCON exhibition. The organization has designated 2024 as a special promotion year to enhance the appeal of Korea as a destination for visitors from Saudi Arabia. It plans to develop and promote Korean travel products in collaboration with international travel agencies, local outbound travel agencies, and airlines.

“KNTO also works to provide basic tourism information such as halal food and prayer places, which are important factors among tourists from the Middle East,” said Seo.


Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh brings interactive experiences to life

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh brings interactive experiences to life

  • Business Hub to serve as a center for signing agreements, forging partnerships

RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has announced the activities accompanying the second Saudi Film Confex, which is set to take place from Oct. 9-12 in Riyadh.

These activities will include interactive experiences, with the Business Hub as a key highlight. The space will serve as a center for signing agreements and forging partnerships among companies in the film industry.

In addition, Consultation Platforms will offer specialized advice on various aspects of filmmaking, from financing to production, and provide an area for freelancers to register and connect with companies needing their expertise.

An interactive activation will also be available, giving visitors hands-on experience in roles such as actors, photographers, directors, and other key positions within a film crew at the On-Set Challenge.

The Film Talk segment will bring together prominent figures in the film industry to share their success stories, insights, and experiences. Alongside this, an exhibition will showcase cutting-edge equipment used in aerial cinematography.

The Junior Filmmaker zone will provide children with an engaging introduction to filmmaking through interactive and simplified activities, while the Cinematic Arts zone offers insights into the art of makeup and costume design, demonstrating the process of transforming a character from concept to screen.

The Saudi Film Confex also features an exhibition representing key locations across the filmmaking value chain. It will showcase a specialized conference with 30 panel discussions and 15 workshops covering various aspects of the industry.

The activities are expected to significantly enhance the visitor experience, offering a deeper understanding of the film industry’s diverse aspects and shedding light on the untapped potential within this burgeoning sector.


Kingdom arrests 22,094 illegals in one week

Updated 38 min 5 sec ago
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Kingdom arrests 22,094 illegals in one week

  • The report showed that among the 1,337 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 22,094 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

According to an official report, a total of 13,731 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,873 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,490 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,337 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 53 percent were Ethiopian, 44 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 37 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 23 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


KSrelief launches food aid project in Kyrgyzstan

Updated 46 min 24 sec ago
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KSrelief launches food aid project in Kyrgyzstan

  • In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 370 shelter kits and 100 tents in the Taiz governorate in one day

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief launched a food distribution project on Saturday to assist vulnerable families in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital.

The event was attended by Saad bin Abdullah Al-Duwayan, acting charge d’affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, senior Kyrgyz officials, and a KSrelief team.

The initiative will see 8,100 food baskets distributed, benefiting over 35,000 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Duwayan spoke on Saudi Arabia’s ongoing global humanitarian efforts, emphasizing King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s commitment to ensuring food security.

Kyrgyz officials praised the project’s impact and the Kingdom’s humanitarian work.

In Yemen, KSrelief distributed 370 shelter kits and 100 tents in the Taiz governorate in one day, helping 2,220 people.

In the Abyan governorate, 735 food baskets benefited 5,145 people, and in the Aden governorate, 400 baskets aided 2,800 people.

In Pakistan, KSrelief provided 750 shelter kits in flood-hit areas of Balochistan and Punjab, aiding 5,250 people.

In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 1,000 food baskets to displaced families in River Nile State, helping 5,850 people.


Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

Updated 05 October 2024
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Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

  • The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario
  • Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off departure of Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in Eastern Sector

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force has deployed to Pakistan for the multinational Shield of Sindh 2024 exercise.

The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario.

Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off the departure of the Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector.

Before takeoff, he conducted a thorough inspection of equipment and received detailed briefings on the operational readiness of flight crews, technical teams and support personnel. The Saudi contribution to the exercise is substantial, featuring a squadron of six Tornado aircraft.

Speaking about the exercise, he said: “Our participation in Shield of Sindh 2024 serves multiple objectives. It strengthens our bonds with Pakistan and other participating nations, while also providing a platform to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and allowing air and support crews to gain more combat experience in unconventional and electronic warfare environments.”


KSrelief distributes humanitarian aid in Yemen, Sudan

Updated 05 October 2024
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KSrelief distributes humanitarian aid in Yemen, Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continued its distribution of humanitarian aid in Yemen and Sudan, benefiting almost 50,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported.

In Sheikh Othman District of Yemen’s Aden governorate, 400 food boxes were handed out to 400 families while in Zinjibar District of Abyan Governorate 646 food parcels have been distributed.

In the districts of Merkhah Al Ulya and Merkhah As Sufla in Shabwah Governorate, KSrelief gave out 6,000 boxes of dates to 36,000 individuals. The activity was part of the aid agency’s dates distribution project for 2024.

Meanwhile, 1,000 food parcels were distributed in Port Sudan of Sudan’s Red Sea State as part of KSrelief’s food security project for the war-torn country this year.