Love for pop culture brings residents together
Khaleej Times|January 01, 2025
Hobby Nation UAE, a network of more than 4,000 members, brings fans of anime, comics, video games, cosplay under one roof
Layla Qamar
Love for pop culture brings residents together

Meeting like-minded individuals with a love for pop culture has never been easier for UAE residents. What began as a simple toy-swapping event in a restaurant 10 years ago has evolved into one of the UAE’s most vibrant pop culture communities. Hobby Nation UAE has grown into a network of over 4,000 members, bringing together fans of anime, comics, video games, cosplay, and more. Its journey highlights the power of shared passions in fostering meaningful connections.

Hobby Nation’s story is rooted in friendship and a shared love of pop culture. Faisal Q, the founder of Hobby Nation, recalls: "Hobby Nation began as friends trading toys, hosting their first event in a restaurant, 10 years ago. From humble beginnings, Hobby Nation has grown into a vibrant community celebrating every aspect of geek and pop culture."

From these modest origins, the community expanded through strategic steps such as live-streaming pop culture discussions in 2016 and partnering with brands like Laban UP in 2019 to create engaging experiences like a Marvel-themed meme game. By 2023, Hobby Nation’s collaboration with Rove Hotels resulted in its first one-day open event, which drew over 1,000 visitors.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 01, 2025 من Khaleej Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 01, 2025 من Khaleej Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من KHALEEJ TIMES مشاهدة الكل
Hong Kong struggles to improve conditions in tiny, crowded homes
Khaleej Times

Hong Kong struggles to improve conditions in tiny, crowded homes

Housing is famously cramped in the Asian financial hub of Hong Kong, thanks to sky-high property prices, but a single toilet and kitchen shared by four families would make for a challenging home situation anywhere.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Adrien Brody reflects on life after winning an award
Khaleej Times

Adrien Brody reflects on life after winning an award

Actor Adrien Brody reflected on his career following his Golden Globe win for Best Actor Male in a Motion Picture-Drama for The Brutalist on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025
Powerful Tibet earthquake kills more than 120, rattles Nepal
Khaleej Times

Powerful Tibet earthquake kills more than 120, rattles Nepal

A strong earthquake struck the foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and flattening hundreds of houses, Chinese authorities said.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Check UAE visa status, validity using only your passport
Khaleej Times

Check UAE visa status, validity using only your passport

Is your residence visa about to expire? Here's how you can check your visa status online

time-read
2 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Demi Moore's family cheers her win
Khaleej Times

Demi Moore's family cheers her win

Actress Demi Moore's daughters, Scout, Tallulah and Rumer Willis, celebrated their mother’s win at the annual 82nd Golden Globes.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025
Golden Globes ratings edge up past 10 million
Khaleej Times

Golden Globes ratings edge up past 10 million

The Golden Globes drew more than 10 million TV viewers to post a small audience increase from the previous year, producers said on Monday, after a well-received show in which Emilia Perez and The Brutalist scored big wins.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025
Khaleej Times

Inflation concerns pull rug from under Wall Street rally

US survey data rekindled inflation concerns and rising bond yields helped pull the rug out from under a rally on Wall Street on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025
Khaleej Times

Three miners feared dead in Assam state, 6 others trapped

Three miners were feared dead inside a flooded coal mine in a remote district of India's northeastern Assam state, authorities said on Tuesday, and the men were part of a total of nine still trapped as rescue teams worked to reach them.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025
Weak currencies pose a challenge to remitters
Khaleej Times

Weak currencies pose a challenge to remitters

The relentless decline of South Asian currencies to record lows against the dollar poses significant challenges for remitters in the GCC to India and other Southeast Asian nations.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Will Smith teases Matrix return
Khaleej Times

Will Smith teases Matrix return

Actor Will Smith has set social media abuzz with a cryptic post that led fans into believing he might part of the next Matrix film.

time-read
1 min  |
January 08, 2025