K-pop fans' long-awaited "33rd Hanteo Music Awards 2025" (Hanteo Music Awards 2025, hereinafter "HMA 2025") is just one day away.
The upcoming HMA 2025, to be held at 6 p.m. on the 15th at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, will be staged as a "K-pop festival" that spans generations and genres rather than a simple awards ceremony. The organizers have raised interest by releasing hints about the special stages ahead of the event.
■ special tribute stages by junior K-pop singers
One of the anticipated points of HMA 2025 is the tribute stages that continue K-pop history. Special stages have been prepared where the lineage of K-pop from the 1st generation to the present can be seen.
Identity (idntt) will present a tribute stage that reinterprets a hit song by the legendary 1st-generation idol H.O.T. Fans are curious to see how a rookie group will reinterpret the music that announced the beginning of K-pop history.
ARTMS will stage a performance built around a hit song by Girls' Generation. The homage stage by a junior artist reinterpreting the performance of Girls' Generation, known as the legendary girl group, is expected to be an emotional moment connecting the 2nd generation and the current generation.
tripleS will perform hit songs of global K-pop icon BTS, expressing respect and gratitude to senior artists. Fans worldwide are focused on how a junior group will reinterpret the music of BTS, who conquered the world.
■ trot's four kings all gather
HMA 2025 is drawing attention not only for K-pop idols but also for a powerful lineup from the trot camp. The four kings currently leading the trot world will gather on one stage.
Son Tae Jin, Le Chanwon, Park Ji-hyun and Kim Hee-jae are trotting stars loved by all age groups for their individual personalities and charms. In particular, Le Chanwon will also serve as an MC, moving between the stage and hosting to stand at the center of the ceremony. The trot stages prepared for families to enjoy together during the holiday season are another highlight of HMA 2025.
■ genre-defying K-pop crosses musical boundaries
HMA 2025 is called a true "K-pop festival" because of its bold lineup that breaks down genre boundaries. It shows a scale that covers the entire Korean music market, not just a festival limited to K-pop idol groups.
Beatboxer WING will preview a distinctive stage made with vocal percussion, and rapper Lee Youngji is expected to show the strength of the hip-hop genre. Lee Changseop's emotional ballad stage, band Lucy's live performance and crossover group Forestella's majestic harmonies, plus Hwang Garam's vocals combine to make HMA 2025 a true "department store of genres." In addition, the full-group stage of Pentagon, celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Kyuhyun's special stage marking more than 20 years are raising fans' expectations.
Meanwhile, Hanteo Global, which operates the world's only real-time music chart Hanteo Chart, is hosting and organizing HMA 2025, and 23 artist teams including Kyuhyun, Kim Hee-jae, Nowz, Lucy, Park Ji-hyun, Billlie, Son Tae Jin, Psykers, ARTMS, Identity, ATEEZ, 8TURN, WEi, WING, Lee Youngji, Le Chanwon, Lee Changseop, Yoon Jongshin, tripleS, Pentagon, Forestella, Hearts2Hearts and Hwang Garam will appear.
The pre-ceremony red carpet and the awards ceremony will be broadcast live worldwide via TikTok's "Hanteo" channel, and domestically will be aired on MBN.
[Photo] Courtesy of Hanteo Global
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