Ever since the Hallyu Wave saw a major increase back in 2009, both K-pop and K-dramas have been hitting the road more, partaking in more work in foreign countries. K-dramas are surely a prime example of this. Back in 2013, The Heirs (also known as The Inheritors and Heritors ), starring Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye , had its opening episodes filmed in California. Kill Me, Heal Me , starring Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum , also had scenes filmed in the United States. Let’s not forget about Descendants of the Sun starring Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo . Scenes for the fictitious country of Uruk were filmed in Greece.
This year, the country that seems to be getting a lot of attention among Hallyu stars is the United Arab Emirates (UAB), specifically Dubai. Earlier this year, Running Man , the popular Korean variety show, had a two-episode special filmed in the UAE’s most populous city. Now, the next Hallyu stars to visit Dubai are BTS, and they made it known they had a ton of fun through a video they recently uploaded titled BTS in Dubai .
BTS in Dubai was uploaded on Monday, July 18 on the official YouTube channel for BTS known as BANGTANTV . Officially titled “????? 2016 Summer Package – BTS in DUBAI,” the video spanning almost two minutes shows the escapades that BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys and Bulletproof Boy Scouts, had while in Dubai. Soompi detailed some of the adventures and antics BTS partook in the teaser, which includes Jin and Jimin sandboarding, V “kissing his fans” through the camera, and all the members visiting a traditional outdoor market and even cooling off in the pool of their hotel or possibly a resort.
It should be noted that the stay in Dubai was not all fun and no play for BTS. They were first and foremost there for their participation in KCON 2016 Abu Dhabi, which took place on Friday, March 25. They were joined by other popular K-pop acts, including Taeyeon (of Girls’ Generation), Kyuhyun (of Super Junior), Double S 301, Ailee, Monsta X, and Spica. Numerous Middle Eastern K-pop fans crowded the convention, which was free, just to get a glimpse of their favorite K-pop idols. However, the ones who purchased tickets to attend the concert were given the “time of their lives,” as the aforementioned K-pop acts put on a special performance they will never forget.
Outside of their appearance at KCON 2016 Abu Dhabi, BTS has been extremely busy promoting their latest album in the “Most Beautiful Moment in Life” trilogy titled The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever . This includes their current Korean and Asian tour “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life on Stage: Epilogue.” So far, they have five more stops to go, which includes Beijing in China tomorrow, Manila in the Philippines on July 30, Bangkok in Thailand on August 6, and Tokyo in Japan on August 13 and 14.
To be frank, BTS’ latest comeback proves just how popular the K-pop boy group truly is. Anyone who actually listened to the album knows it consists mostly of past songs and remixes since it is technically a compilation album.
BTS in Dubai , which is considered their 2016 Summer Package, will go on pre-sale starting today, July 22. It will officially release on Friday, August 12.
[Image via BTS Official Facebook Photo Album “BTS 3rd Anniversary”]