LIST: Highlights, winners of 2025 MAMA Awards
HONG KONG — Amid the grand stage and conceptual productions, this year’s MAMA Awards was also filled with solemn tributes for the victims and affected families of the tragic high-rise fire in Tai Po neighborhood.
The 2025 MAMA Awards was held for two days on November 28 and 29 at the Kai Tak Stadium. It was shadowed by the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades, which claimed 146 lives as of this writing.
Many Korean idols and actors offered their heartfelt sympathies, and hoped that their music could help them bring comfort and courage.
MAMA’s finale performance on Day 2 became one of the most unexpected and emotional moments — artist G-Dragon sang a ballad from 2014 titled “Untitled.”
The awards would usually end with a high-energy number from the top-billing artist of the year.
Shortly after his set, G-Dragon received the Artist of the Year, MAMA Awards’ highest recognition. No less than legendary actor Chow Yun Fat presented his win.
Hailing from Hong Kong, Fat led a minute of silence in remembrance of the lives lost from the Tai Po tragedy.
Throughout the two-day awards, Korean artists who performed and actors who presented also wore black ribbons to show solidarity.
MAMA Awards organizers immediately made changes to the ceremonies, adding the message “Support Hong Kong.” The red carpet events were also canceled, along with the announced Saja Boys performance because of their Grim Reaper characters.
RELATED: ‘Support Hong Kong’: 2025 MAMA Awards issues statement after deadly fire
Nonetheless, the 2025 MAMA recognized the contribution of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” to K-pop, bringing its music to even more wider audiences globally. It won the Music Visionary of the Year and Best OST for “Golden.”
Embodying the animated film’s girl group HUNTR/X, Babymonster members Pharita, Ahyeon and Rora sang a mash-up of “What It Sounds Like” and “Golden” to everyone’s delight.
Lead voice actors Ahn Hyo-Seop and Arden Cho also came as presenters, as well as directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans who received the awards.
Apart from G-Dragon who received the Artist of the Year award, boy group Stray Kids won the major Album of the Year award (“Karma”) on Day 2.
On Day 1, the biggest K-pop spectacle opened on a subdued tone with Korean star Park Bo-gum as host.
The night’s highlight came from second-gen K-pop group Super Junior, which performed hits like “Mr. Simple” and “Sorry, Sorry.” They were given the Inspiring Achievement award for their 20 successful years in the industry.
The first two major awards went to Rosé for Visa Song of the Year (“APT”) and Enhypen for Visa Fan’s Choice.
Here is the full list of winners:
Artist of the Year: G-Dragon
Album of the Year: Stray Kids – "KARMA"
Song of the Year: Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Fans’ Choice of the Year: Enhypen
Best New Artist: Cortis, Hearts2Hearts
Best Male Artist: G-Dragon
Best Female Artist: Rosé
Best Male Group: Seventeen
Best Female Group: Aespa
Best Dance Performance Male Solo: G-Dragon – “Too Bad" (feat. Anderson .Paak)
Best Dance Performance Female Solo: Jennie – “Like Jennie”
Best Dance Performance Male Group: Seventeen – “Thunder”
Best Dance Performance Female Group: Aespa – “Whiplash”
Best Band Performance: DAY6 – “Maybe Tomorrow”
Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance: Big Naughty – “Music" (Feat. Lee Chanhyuk)
Best Collaboration: Rosé, Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Best OST: Huntr/X – “Golden” (Netflix - KPop Demon Hunters OST)
Best Music Video: Jennie – “Zen”
Best Choreography: Aespa – “Whiplash”
Music Visionary of the Year: Netflix’s "KPop Demon Hunters"
Favorite Global Performer: Ive
Telasa Favorite Global Artist: Enhypen
Favorite Female Group: Ive
Favorite Male Group: Boynextdoor
Global Trend Song: Ive – “Rebel Heart”
Inspiring Achievement: Super Junior
Favorite Rising Artist: Izna
Visa Super Stage Artist: Tomorrow X Together
Olive Young K-Beauty Artist: Hearts2Hearts
Favorite Asian Artist: JO1
Breakthrough Artist: Allday Project
Worldwide KCONers’ Choice: Zerobaseone
Fans’ Choice Male Top 10
- Baekhyun
- Seventeen
- Jin
- Ehnypen
- G-Dragon
- J-hope
- NCT Dream
- Riize
- Stray Kids
- Zerobaseone
Fans’ Choice Female Top 10
- Irene
- IU
- ILLIT
- Aespa
- BabyMonster
- Hearts2Hearts
- I-dle
- Itzy
- Le Sserafim
- Twice
RELATED: 'Mahal ko kayo': Blackpink returns to Philippine Arena
- Latest
