G-Dragon served as the final performer on the second night of the 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong, moments before receiving the grand prize for Artist of the Year. Photo from the MAMA Awards' X account
The MAMA Awards, one of K-pop's biggest and most hotly anticipated year-end events, pushed through in Hong Kong, with messages of support for those affected by the tragic fire in the city woven throughout the star-studded ceremony.
Just days before the awards show, a devastating fire tore through an apartment complex, raising questions over whether the annual event — attended by some of the biggest names in K-pop — would proceed.
Still, the MAMA Awards went ahead late Friday and Saturday at Kai Tak Stadium, albeit in a more subdued atmosphere, with nearly all presenters and performers dressed in black or muted tones as they offered condolences and comforting messages to the victims throughout the event.
The red carpet event was cancelled, and the performances — though still energetic and visually spectacular — noticeably avoided the use of pyrotechnics, likely out of respect for the tragedy, whose death toll has climbed past a hundred.
READ: Hong Kong begins mourning period after fire kills at least 128
Entertainment giant CJ ENM, which hosts the MAMA Awards, pledged to donate HK$20 million to support relief and recovery efforts, while other K-pop companies and artists also made their own donations, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
Grand prizes
On the second night, G-Dragon was named Artist of the Year, receiving the award from Hong Kong cinema icon Chow Yun-fat, who led a moment of silence before presenting the BIGBANG leader with the last of the four Daesang (grand prizes).
Boy band Stray Kids, meanwhile, took home Album of the Year for the Billboard 200 chart-topping record "Karma," released in August.
Stray Kids perform at the 2025 MAMA Awards. Photo from the MAMA Awards' X account
ENHYPEN perform at the 2025 MAMA Awards. Photo from the MAMA Awards' X account
On the first night, Blackpink mega-star Rosé and Filipino-American singer Bruno Mars were awarded Song of the Year for their viral hit “APT.”. Boy band ENHYPEN also claimed a Daesang, winning Fans’ Choice of the Year.
Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" was honored with the Music Visionary of the Year, which was received by its co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.
Arden Cho and Ahn Hyo-seop, who provided the speaking voices for the film's lead characters, also attended the event as award presenters, handing out the Best OST award, which went to the song "Golden" from their film.
HUNTR/X, the girl group from the movie, was brought to life on the MAMA stage, with BABYMONSTER's Pharita, Ahyeon and Rora stepping into the roles. The trio performed live renditions of "What It Sounds Like" and "Golden," introduced by Ahn Hyo-seop in a nod to his role as Jinu from the film.
Three members of K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER play HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters at the 2025 MAMA Awards. Photo from the MAMA Awards' X account
A number featuring the Saja Boys from "KPop Demon Hunters" was also planned, with members from several boy bands set to portray the characters. However, the performance was ultimately cancelled.
Veterans, fresh faces
Super Junior, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, received the Inspiring Achievement Award in recognition of its role in helping popularize K-pop abroad.
The veteran boy band took the MAMA stage for a rousing performance of its latest single "Express Mode," along with classic hits "Mr. Simple," "Bonamana" and "Sorry Sorry."
Super Junior performs their new single alongside classic hits on the stage of the 2025 MAMA Awards. Photo from the MAMA Awards' X account
Promising new groups were also honored at the awards show, with Cortis, a new boy band from BTS' agency BigHit Music, and Hearts2Hearts, an all-female group from K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment, both taking home the Best New Artist award.
Alpha Drive One, the upcoming male act formed from the popular survival program "Boys II Planet," also performed at the MAMA stage, premiering their pre-debut song "Formula."
Heartthrob Park Bo-gum hosted the first night, while veteran actress Kim Hye-soo took the reins on the second night.
The lineup of award presenters included actors Ju Ji-hoon, Yim Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri, Go Youn-jung, Lee Do-hyun, Shin Ye-eun, Hyeri, Lee Kwang-soo, Park Hyung-sik, Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Jun-hyuk and Lee Jun-young, among many others.
Formerly known as the Mnet Asian Music Awards, the MAMA Awards is one of the K-pop industry's major award ceremonies, featuring a star-studded lineup of attendees and explosive, large-scale performances.
Below is the full list of winners, as compiled by K-pop news portal Soompi.
Artist of the Year (Daesang): G-Dragon
Album of the Year (Daesang): Stray Kids – "KARMA"
Fans’ Choice of the Year (Daesang): ENHYPEN
Song of the Year (Daesang): Rosé and Bruno Mars – "APT."
Best Female Group: aespa
Best Male Group: SEVENTEEN
Best Dance Performance Female Group: aespa – "Whiplash"
Best Dance Performance Male Solo: G-Dragon – "Too Bad (feat. Anderson .Paak)"
Favorite Rising Artist: izna
Best Choreography: aespa – "Whiplash"
Visa Super Stage Artist: Tomorrow X Together
Best Female Artist: Rosé
Best Male Artist: G-Dragon
Olive Young K-Beauty Artist: Hearts2Hearts
Music Visionary of the Year: "KPop Demon Hunters"
Favorite Asian Artist: JO1
Breakthrough Artist: Allday Project
Worldwide KCONers' Choice: ZEROBASEONE
Best OST: HUNTR/X – "Golden" (from "KPop Demon Hunters")
Best Dance Performance Female Solo: Jennie – "Like Jennie"
Best Dance Performance Male Group: SEVENTEEN – "Thunder"
Best Vocal Performance Solo: Rosé – "Toxic Till the End"
Best Vocal Performance Group: Davichi – “Stitching”
Best Band Performance: DAY6 – "Maybe Tomorrow"
Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance: Big Naughty – "Music (feat. Lee Chanhyuk)"
Best Music Video: Jennie – "Zen"
Best Collaboration: Rosé and Bruno Mars – "APT."
Inspiring Achievement: Super Junior
Global Trend Song: IVE – "Rebel Heart"
Best New Artist: CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts
Favorite Male Group: BOYNEXTDOOR
Favorite Female Group: IVE
TELASA Favorite Global Artist: ENHYPEN
Favorite Global Performer: IVE
Fans' Choice Male Top 10: Baekhyun, SEVENTEEN, Jin, ENHYPEN, G-Dragon, J-Hope, NCT Dream, RIIZE, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE
Fans' Choice Female Top 10: Irene (Red Velvet), IU, ILLIT, aespa, BABYMONSTER, Hearts2Hearts, i-dle, ITZY, Le Sserafim, TWICE