MAMA Awards 2025: A Weekend of Triumphs, Tributes, and Controversy
The 2025 MAMA Awards wrapped up this weekend after two unforgettable nights at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on November 28-29. While the annual K-pop celebration delivered spectacular performances and crowned new champions, the event was notably subdued following a tragic Hong Kong fire that claimed over 90 lives just days before the ceremony.
The Shadow of Tragedy
The ceremony proceeded with several modifications out of respect for the victims, including the cancellation of red carpet events and certain performances. Actor Chow Yun Fat appeared as a presenter and led the stadium in a moment of silence for the fire victims, fighting back tears as he expressed condolences. Artists wore dark attire and maintained solemn reactions throughout, with organizers prioritizing messages of comfort over elaborate production.
Grand Prize Winners Dominate the Night
The four coveted Daesang (Grand Prize) awards were distributed across both nights:
Day 1 (Chapter 1):
- ENHYPEN claimed Fans' Choice of the Year
- Rosé and Bruno Mars won Song of the Year for their viral hit "APT."
Day 2 (Chapter 2):
- G-Dragon received Artist of the Year
- Stray Kids secured Album of the Year with "KARMA"
Big Winners Across Categories
G-Dragon emerged as the biggest winner with four trophies total, including Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist, Best Dance Performance Male Solo, and Fans' Choice Top 10.
aespa dominated with four wins including Best Female Group, Best Dance Performance Female Group, and Best Choreography, while SEVENTEEN took home three awards including Best Male Group and Best Dance Performance Male Group.
IVE also secured three awards with Global Trend Song, Favorite Female Group, and Fans' Choice Top 10, making them one of Day 1's top winners alongside ENHYPEN.
Other notable winners included:
- Best New Artist: CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts (co-winners)
- Best Collaboration: Rosé and Bruno Mars - "APT."
- Best Choreography: aespa - "Whiplash"
- Inspiring Achievement: Super Junior
Fan Reactions: A Mixed Bag
The 2025 MAMA Awards sparked intense debate online, with reactions ranging from celebration to criticism.
The Controversy Around G-Dragon
G-Dragon's performance sparked immediate backlash from viewers who noted that much of the vocals relied heavily on pre-recorded backing, with live singing barely audible and citing unstable pitch. In an unexpected move, G-Dragon himself left a thumbs-down emoji on MAMA's official performance clip, widely interpreted as acknowledgment of his own disappointment.
Many viewers claimed MAMA's audio mixing was problematic, saying it sounded noticeably different from the live performance. The incident reignited discussions about veteran idols maintaining their previous standards.
However, G-Dragon made headlines for positive reasons too: he donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars to support fire victims and fund mental health care for affected citizens, and hinted at a Big Bang reunion in 2026 for the group's 20th anniversary.
Format Complaints
Viewers complained the broadcast felt "boring" and predictable, noting that most idols were absent from artist seats except when receiving trophies, making likely winners obvious and eliminating surprise moments.
Many fans expressed frustration that no third-generation K-pop acts performed, with some calling for the return of 2nd and 3rd generation artists to recapture the energy of previous years.
Positive Fan Moments
Not all reactions were negative. Fans celebrated CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts' Best New Artist wins, with many commenting the results were "totally deserved" and praising both groups' rapid rise and strong debut performances.
BABYMONSTER's Ahyeon, Pharita, and Rora received praise for their cover of "Golden" from the Netflix series K-Pop Demon Hunters, with fans impressed they sang in the original key and delivered strong live vocals.
Following the awards, fans and netizens congratulated and celebrated the wins of various K-pop artists on social media, particularly praising Stray Kids' emotional acceptance speech where members teared up expressing gratitude to fans.
Special Performances and Cancellations
The weekend featured performances from major acts including aespa, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, IVE, ENHYPEN, Super Junior, and many others. However, the special Saja Boys collaboration performance scheduled for Day 2 was officially canceled due to the event being scaled down, disappointing fans who anticipated the crossover stage.
Looking Ahead
Despite the mixed reactions and somber circumstances, the 2025 MAMA Awards demonstrated K-pop's resilience and global reach. The ceremony marked another chapter in the genre's evolution, honoring both established legends and rising stars while maintaining respect for a grieving community.
The weekend reminded fans why MAMA remains one of Asia's most prestigious music awards—even in the most challenging circumstances.