Singer G-DRAGON chose "Untitled (無題)" at the 2025 MAMA Awards, changing the planned set to deliver a message of consolation and solidarity to Hong Kong residents. Through a quiet tribute that stripped away flashiness, he once again proved the essential power of music; he won four awards that day, including the grand prize, solidifying his presence as a K-pop icon.
However, although he sang solo album title track "Heartbreaker" and hits such as "Untitled," he was unable to perform much beyond the recorded AR (accompaniment and vocals recorded as audio). Persistent pitch instability and stage presence led some viewers to express disappointment. Due to multiple recent controversies over live performances, this year's 2025 MAMA Awards live stage also sparked criticism for its low level of completion.
G-DRAGON appeared on the 29th of last month at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong for the 2025 MAMA Awards (hereafter "MAMA") wearing all-black attire and a black ribbon as a sign of mourning. Rather than flashy performance, he conveyed his condolences to Hong Kong residents facing the tragedy with silence and restraint.
At the ceremony, G-DRAGON, after his originally planned stages of "DRAMA" and "Heartbreaker," learned of a local apartment fire disaster and completely revised the planned set to perform "Untitled (無題) (Untitled, 2025)." This decision stemmed from sincere consideration for those affected, and he added a tangible show of solidarity by donating 1 million Hong Kong dollars to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to help victims and their families.
On the "Untitled (無題)" stage, G-DRAGON excluded elaborate props and performances to focus on the message itself and carried the stage forward as calmly as possible. Despite the short preparation time, the performance centered on sincerity: mourning the deceased and comforting Hong Kong residents.
Also, G-DRAGON grabbed four awards including the grand prize, "Artist of the Year," "Best Male Artist," "Best Dance Performance Male Solo," and the fan-voted "FANS' CHOICE MALE TOP 10" which he had received the previous day.
Most notably, actor Chow Yun Fat, who presented the Artist of the Year award, recalled presenting an award to Big Bang 10 years earlier and expressed special emotion at returning the trophy to G-DRAGON. He expressed delight with a warm joke: "I've waited a long time; waiting turned my hair white," adding greater symbolism and resonance to the special reunion spanning 10 years.
Proving his irreplaceable influence again by winning in four institutional sector categories, G-DRAGON said, "I want to be an artist who can give some strength to Hong Kong residents who are suffering great grief because of the sudden tragedy by showing even better performances. Today is a happy day, and it is also a day when many emotions intersect. It is a great honor to receive an award from my eternal idol Chow Yun Fat on Mnet's 30th anniversary," and added, "I deeply thank the fans who always give unwavering support. Next year is Big Bang's 20th anniversary. I will come not alone but with my friends then," he said in his acceptance speech.
G-DRAGON is scheduled to hold the Seoul encore performances of G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul from the 12th to the 14th.
[Photo] Capture of the 2025 MAMA Awards.
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