The "MAMA Awards" heading to Hong Kong returns with an all-time lineup.
On the 11th, a press premiere for "2025 MAMA AWARDS" was held at the CJ ENM Center Talent Studio.
'MAMA Awards' began in 1999 as Mnet's 'Visual Music Awards' and in 2009 declared itself South Korea's first Asian music awards, changing its name to Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS. As K-POP's influence expanded from Asia to the global stage and the global music market shifted, it was rebranded in 2022 as Mnet AWARDS.
Especially as Mnet marks its 30th anniversary, it will return to Hong Kong again after 2018 and be held at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, which seats over 70,000.
"2025 MAMA AWARDS" has adopted "UH-HEUNG" as this year's ceremony concept. Lee Young-joo, the PD in charge of chapter 1 production for Mnet's business division, said, "It means a cry that accepts everything about oneself amid diverse regions, races and cultures and does not fear living as myself," and added, "K-POP in 2025 shone more than ever, and within it was 'heung' (joy/excitement)."
Not only will K-POP artists deliver all-time performing stages, but the ceremony is expected to become an even richer and more meaningful festival through awards presented by trend leaders from various fields who gathered in one place to celebrate them.
With Park Bo-gum and Kim Hye-soo serving as hosts, Lee PD emphasized the hosts as "storytellers" who connect global fans and announced, "Yang Ja-kyung will join as a MAMA Awards presenter," drawing attention to the attendance of a global presenter. He added, "Over time MAMA Awards has pioneered new paths, and since K-POP has risen to the mainstream, the meeting between Yang Ja-kyung and MAMA Awards feels even more meaningful."
A greeting video from host Park Bo-gum was also released. Park Bo-gum said, "This is already my seventh time greeting you as a MAMA Awards host. Each year brings me a different thrill and excitement. I am especially moved to meet you again in Hong Kong. This year the world was hotter than ever because of K-POP. For this moment, we have secretly prepared something very special for you. I will show a performance," and added, "Please look forward to it."
In response, Lee Young-joo PD said, "Park Bo-gum first attended as a presenter in 2016, and that connection has accompanied us ever since. In fact, I don't think there is a host who understands MAMA as well as Park Bo-gum. I think he fulfills the messenger role best in conveying the concept as a host. He also has a lot of affection for it, and we have a lot of affection for him, so he is joining us again this year. He will show a great performance this year as well," raising expectations.
The behind-the-scenes story of recruiting Kim Hye-soo was also shared. Lee PD said, "I've wanted to recruit Kim Hye-soo for a long time, but at that time she was doing the Blue Dragon Film Awards, so we did not attempt to reach out. She was such an icon of the Blue Dragon Awards that we were watching closely. She recently put a period on her Blue Dragon involvement, and wondering who could convey a new Korean concept in Hong Kong, since she had finished at the Blue Dragon Awards I requested a meeting. I didn't meet her in person, but I explained a lot about the power of music. She also likes music. For example, at the meeting she said she once watched a program and called the writer directly to say that an artist could give great emotional impact with a five-minute stage, that it's the power of music, and thanked them for creating the stage. That writer is now the main writer. It felt like fate rather than coincidence, and I'm very excited that we will be working together," he said.
In particular, Ma Du-sik PD also hinted at a special stage that day. Ma PD said, "The BUMSUP team will take the stage, and Park Bo-gum will also come onto this stage. There will also be a K-hip-themed stage infused with K-heung (K-excitement)," he said.
He also previewed an official collaboration between "Kedheon" and the MAMA Awards. Ma PD said, "It will traverse animation and reality," and said, "We will recreate the battle of the century on stage between Lion Boys and Huntrix," raising expectations. In addition, chapter 1 will include a special stage by Super Junior, who marks their 20th debut anniversary, and in chapter 2 Stray Kids will premiere a stage for an upcoming track from their soon-to-be-released album.
They also answered reactions accusing the event of neglecting domestic fans due to recent consecutive overseas hosts. Park Chan-wook, head of the business division, said, "MAMA Awards has a vision of creating a world united by music. In that context, we first held global events in 2010 and met K-POP fans around the world. In that sense, I think we can say it is being held overseas," and explained, "The only time it was held domestically was during the coronavirus period. Currently we are trying to advance more globally."
Regarding the choice of Hong Kong, Park Chan-wook said, "I can't say there's no expectation for the Chinese-speaking market, but the reason for selection is that from 2012 to 2018 MAMA Awards continued to be held there, making it the city with the most editions. It's a region that is convenient for global K-POP fandoms to access and feels like a mega hub representing Asia. Also, a new landmark has been created in Hong Kong, and there was a lot of expectation that at that location MAMA Awards could create a new stage with original stages and differentiated production, so we selected it," he said.
The presenter lineup this year included a total of 25 world-class figures who led trends and captured the public's love throughout 2025, further elevating the ceremony's stature. Go Youn-jung, Noh Sang-hyun, Roh Yoon-seo, Park Hyung-sik, Shin Seung-hoon, Shin Ye Eun, Shin Hyun-ji, Aden Cho, Ahn Eun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Kwang-soo, Lee Dohyun, Lee Su-hyuk, Lee Joon-young, Lee Joon-hyuk, Yim Siwan, Jang Doyoun, Jeon Yeo-been, Cho Sae-ho, Jo Yuri, Cho Han-gyeol, Ju Jihoon, Cha Ju-young, Choi Dae-hoon and Hyeri (listed alphabetically) were named as presenters. From those who expanded K-content worldwide to figures active in variety shows with fresh charm and stars with K-POP DNA, icons spanning diverse areas of K-culture will all appear.
As for the lineup, on Nov. 28 Alphadriveone, BABYMONSTER, BOYNEXTDOOR, BUMSUP, ENHYPEN, HAATZTOHAATZ, (G)I-DLE, IVE, Miyao, MIRROR, NCT WISH, Super Junior, TREASURE and TWS are scheduled, and on Nov. 29 aespa, ALLDAY PROJECT, CORTIS, G-Dragon, ID, IZNA, Jeio, KickFlip, Kyoka, RIIZE, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and ZEROEVIS1 are scheduled to attend.
Meanwhile, "2025 MAMA AWARDS" will be held on Nov. 28 and 29 local time at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, a two-day event at a mega event hub in Asia, and will be broadcast live globally in real time through various digital platforms including Mnet Plus, allowing K-POP fans around the world to join.
[Photo] Provided by Mnet
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