Group Red Velvet's Irene, Kiss of Life's Natti, and actress Nam Ji-hyeon will serve as MCs for the 2nd Korea Grand Music Awards (2025 KGMA) to guide a splendid festival.
On the 25th, the KGMA Organizing Committee announced that Irene, Natti, and Nam Ji-hyeon will host the '2025 KGMA' to be held on November 14 and 15 at the Inspire Arena in Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon. On the first day, the 14th, Irene and Nam Ji-hyeon will host, while on the second day, Natti and Nam Ji-hyeon will each lead the festival. In particular, Nam Ji-hyeon has been selected as an MC for the second consecutive year following last year, and she will lead the awards ceremony both days this year.
The KGMA Organizing Committee noted, "Having successfully taken its first step last year as a new era and new music awards ceremony, KGMA has also selected artists symbolizing K-pop and K-pop fandom as MCs this year," and added, "Irene, Natti, and Nam Ji-hyeon will excellently guide the K-pop dream for K-pop artists and fans over the two days."
Irene debuted as Red Velvet in August 2014 and has been active with various songs such as 'Ice Cream Cake', 'Red Flavor', 'Peek-A-Boo', 'Russian Roulette', 'Psycho', 'Bad Boy', 'Queendom', and 'Feel My Rhythm'. With her stunning beauty and elegant atmosphere, which can be called the 'Center of Assurance Award', she has also been active as a unit with Seulgi outside the group activities. Last November, she released her first solo album and showcased a distinct musical color.
Natti debuted with Kiss of Life in July 2023 and has been loved for many songs including 'Shh', 'Bad News', 'IGLOO', 'Midas Touch', 'Sticky', and 'Lips Hips Kiss'. Originally from Thailand, she gained public recognition through the JYP girl group audition program 'Sixteen' before her debut with Kiss of Life and has also been active as a solo artist, receiving great love for her intense and captivating performances.
Nam Ji-hyeon made her acting debut in 2004 with 'Say I Love You' and has built her filmography across various genres, including thrillers and fusion historical dramas, such as 'Suspicious Partner' and '100 Days My Prince'. Last year, she drove SBS's highest ratings with 'Good Partner', and she is preparing to captivate viewers again in January next year with 'My Thief, who is in Love'.
Nam Ji-hyeon was able to serve as an MC for the 2025 KGMA, following the positive reviews she received for her stable hosting skills during the 2024 KGMA held last year. Attention is drawn to what kind of chemistry she will display with Red Velvet's Irene and Kiss of Life's Natti this year after her collaboration with NewJeans' Hanni and aespa's Winter last year.
The KGMA is an award ceremony newly established by the Korea Daily Sports, representing South Korea, to present a new paradigm for the Korean pop music industry, with the first event successfully held on November 16 and 17 last year. At the first award ceremony, six teams, including aespa, NewJeans, DAY6, (G)I-DLE, ATEEZ, and ZEROBASEONE, were honored with the highest accolade, the 2024 Grand Trophy.
The 2025 KGMA will feature artists who have achieved significant results in various sectors of popular music, including K-pop, bands, and trot, which have received great love from domestic and international fans throughout the year, creating a festival where artists and fans come together. A stage that exceeds the highly acclaimed first event with a polished performance is expected.
The KGMA is hosted by Korea Daily Sports (Edaily M) and co-organized by the KGMA Organizing Committee, Creator Ring, and DIO. The official fan voting is currently underway through the FanCast app. The artist lineup, award categories, evaluation criteria, and other details will be gradually announced on the website and voting app FanCast starting in September.
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