Fans of the world's biggest music group can now get their hands on official merchandise by the septet in the Middle East.
BTS Pop-Up: Space of BTS will open at BurJuman mall in Dubai for a limited time, featuring more than 400 products inspired by the group's songs, albums and the members themselves.
Brought to the UAE by Hybe, the K-pop group's record label, the pop-up has been a huge success in other parts of the world, spawning long queues of fans who proudly call themselves the Army.
Besides exclusive merchandise inspired by their hit songs such as Black Swan, ON, Butter and Dynamite, the BTS pop-up shop will also feature band-themed photo zones and other experiences. There will also be an area dedicated to BTS In the Soop, the reality TV show starring the seven members of the group.
E-commerce site morningKall, which is the official BTS merchandise distributor, says new products will be released every two weeks to keep up with the demand.
The pop-up will be open until December 8, with only 40 people allowed into the shop, on Level 1 of BurJuman, at once. Fans will not be allowed to bring in food or drinks.
BTS members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are household names around the world, thanks to their massive groundbreaking success.
While whispers of a hiatus in June briefly caused widespread panic, as well as stocks of Hybe to plummet, the band have been busy releasing solo projects as well as collaborations with other major stars.
Discussions around South Korea's mandatory military service have also gained momentum, as some of the oldest BTS members are nearing the deadline, aged 30, for conscription. Jin's 30th birthday is in December, while Suga turned 29 in March.
Over the past few years, there’s been mounting pressure to exempt the group members from having to complete conscription.
The group returned to the spotlight last month, featuring in the song Bad Decisions by hit producer Benny Blanco, along with Snoop Dogg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Revival
Eminem
Interscope
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BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
