'MZ wannabe icon' IVE (IVE: Ahn Yujin·Gaeul·Rei·Jang Wonyoung·Liz·Lee Seo) captivated hearts with a song that offers comfort and empathy.
IVE won three awards at the '2025 MAMA AWARDS' held on the 28th at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, taking the 'Favorite Global Performer (FAVORITE GLOBAL PERFORMER)' award and the 'Favorite Female Group (FAVORITE FEMALE GROUP)' award, and also winning in the 'Global Trend Song (GLOBAL TREND SONG)' institutional sector with 'REBEL HEART (레블 하트)'.
Starting with this year's pre-release track from mini album 3, 'Rebel Heart,' and through the title track 'ATTITUDE (애티튜드)' and mini album 4 title track 'XOXZ (엑스오엑스지),' they conveyed messages of comfort and empathy, solidarity, and 'self-assurance' through diverse music, and their three awards at the '2025 MAMA AWARDS' added to that significance.
Through their agency Starship Entertainment, IVE said, "We were grateful to receive much love from DIVE (official fan club name) and the public through our various activities this year, and receiving an award for 'Rebel Heart,' which carries the meaning of empathy and solidarity, makes it even more meaningful. As the years go by, we find ourselves thinking more about what messages and positive influences we can deliver through our music. We hope IVE's music and performances continue to give strength and warm comfort to someone. We will always be a team that devotes our sincerity so we can deliver that kind of music."
'Rebel Heart,' which was nominated for 'Global Trend Song,' foreshadowed the enduring 'IVE syndrome' by achieving a domestic major music chart 'perfect all-kill (PAK)' immediately after its release in January. IVE then added the success of 'ATTITUDE' and 'XOXZ,' lifting a total of 20 music show trophies this year alone—'Rebel Heart' with 11 wins, 'ATTITUDE' with 4 wins, and 'XOXZ' with 5 wins. In addition, from single album 2 'LOVE DIVE' to mini album 4 'IVE SECRET,' they achieved over 1 million copies sold for seven consecutive albums, setting the major record of 'seven consecutive million-seller' status.
IVE's activities were also prominent on the global stage. After leaving an impression with dazzling performances and solid live shows at last year's Lollapalooza Chicago, they performed this year at Lollapalooza Berlin and Lollapalooza Paris, becoming the first K-pop girl group to appear on the Lollapalooza stage for two consecutive years, and later participated in 'Rock in Japan Festival 2025'—one of Japan's four major rock festivals—further solidifying the position of 'K-festival (festival performance)' on the world stage.
Meanwhile, IVE successfully wrapped up their world tour 'SHOW WHAT I AM' Seoul concerts at the KSPO DOME (formerly Olympic Gymnastics Arena) over three days from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and after year-end performances they plan to continue the world tour into 2026 across various countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
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