Cancellation seemed possible for the '2025 MAMA AWARDS,' but it will go ahead as planned… "We will offer comfort through music"
A major fire disaster occurred in Hong Kong, making the holding of the '2025 MAMA AWARDS' uncertain, but organizer CJ ENM issued an official position and decided to proceed with the awards as scheduled.
Earlier, on the 26th (local time), a large fire at the high-rise apartment complex Wong Fuk Court in the Tai Po area of northern Hong Kong killed 44 people and injured 29. The number of missing was tallied at 279, and the scale of the damage continues to grow. Along with an unclear ignition cause, it is believed that flames spread through bamboo scaffolding surrounding a building that was being renovated, which increased the scale of the fire. Hong Kong police urgently arrested three construction-related personnel on charges of murder and negligent homicide.
The large fire that broke out in a complex of eight buildings housing about 4,800 people is being raised as possibly the worst disaster since Hong Kong was returned from Britain to China in 1997. The Hong Kong government raised the fire alert to the highest level, level 5.
#.MAMA D-1… K-pop artists who arrived locally
This disaster directly affected the '2025 MAMA AWARDS,' which was to be held one day later. IVE, Stray Kids, ALLDAY PROJECT and other major performers had already departed for Hong Kong on the morning of the 27th through Incheon International Airport, and most major artists such as ALPHABRAVEOONE, ENHYPEN, RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE, (a person surnamed) I, TOMORROW X TOGETHER had arrived locally.
However, as the scale of the disaster expanded, a mood that "the event may be canceled or postponed" was sensed locally, and some fans and industry insiders waited for an official announcement from MAMA with growing tension.
CJ ENM: "support Hong Kong message added, mourning… also joining donations"
As controversy continued, CJ ENM announced on the 27th in an official statement that it would press ahead with the awards ceremony.
CJ ENM's music communications team said, "We express deep condolences to those who lost their lives in the Hong Kong fire accident," and noted, "We offer sincere comfort to all those facing great loss and anxiety." It added that this year's awards would include a 'Support Hong Kong' message and a time of mourning, and that it would participate in donations to support victims.
It also said, "We are preparing the overall production more carefully so the stage can deliver comfort and hope rather than glamour," and added that it hoped this MAMA would be a place to convey "healing and solidarity," not mere entertainment. Finally, it said, "We hope music can bring some comfort and courage to your hearts. We will responsibly do our best to prepare the awards ceremony until the end."
#. "From possible cancellation → proceeding"… a place to soothe hearts with music
The '2025 MAMA AWARDS,' whose holding was shaken by an unprecedented disaster, ultimately proceeded with its schedule centered on K-pop's message of solidarity. It was a decision intended to share sorrow with the people of Hong Kong wounded by the disaster and to convey comfort through music, rather than a lavish festival.
[Photo] CJ ENM,
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