These days, it feels as though K-pop music is taking over the world, but one band from South Korea is ready to introduce fans in the region to a fresh new sound.
In collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre in the UAE, sEODo Band will make their Middle East debut with an online performance at The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The six-member group, consisting of vocalist Seodo, guitarist Yeon Tae-hee, percussionist Park Jin-byeong, keyboardist Kim Seong-hyun, drummer Yang Jung-hoon and bassist Kim Tae-joo, specialise in a newer genre called Chosun pop.
But what does that actually sound like?
Chosun pop, says vocalist Seodo, is a combination of the music style from the time of the Korean Joseon dynasty and pop, "the unique genre that sEODo Band have created". The group aim to "make traditional music a type of popular music that all audiences can enjoy".
“Based on the stories, rhythms and melodies of traditional music, we intend to present a fresh and unrivalled genre with a mixture of pop elements.”
He goes on to explain that the group use existing music forms, such as pop, blues and jazz, and add traditional Korean instruments to create their unique sound.
Seodo says that when he was young, he specialised in pansori, a traditional genre of Korean musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer. However, it all came together after he studied practical music at university, when he discovered how the two could naturally mix and match to form a distinct new sound.
Fans who tune into the online show are likely to hear songs from sEODo Band's recently released EP Moon: Disentangle, which came out in June and consists of five songs showcasing that musical fusion.
“Through the online concert, you can experience all the different shades of sEODo Band – from music that features Korean traditional songs to western pop-style songs,” Seodo says.
Although the group won’t be in Abu Dhabi for an in-person performance, they are still appreciative of the opportunity to perform for fans, hoping to introduce them to something they haven’t heard before.
“I feel so thankful that audiences in the UAE are interested in Chosun pop, which is a new music genre,” says Seodo. “For us, we just really appreciate it when our audience enjoys our music.”
sEODo Band will perform on Wednesday, November 10 at 8pm. Tickets are free but registration is required. More information is available at nyuad-artscenter.org
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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