WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2025 MAMA AWARDS

The world’s No. 1 K-pop awards ceremony, the MAMA Awards, is back with a roar for 2025! Set to captivate global audiences, the two-night event will take place on Nov. 28 and 29 in Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium, thus making a historic return to the city after 7 years. This year’s concept, “HEAR MY ROAR: UH-HEUNG,” promises a spectacular celebration of music, vision and unparalleled artistry.

The event, which is completely sold out, will welcome fans to a larger venue this year. Since Mnet turns 30 this year, the return to Hong Kong holds special significance as one of the ceremony’s longtime hotspots. The show will livestream globally in 4K on Mnet Plus and will also be available for streaming on HBO Max, delivering performances with enhanced visuals and expanded viewing angles.

The Search for K-pop’s Defining Icon: The ‘MUSIC VISIONARY OF THE YEAR’

Anticipation is soaring for the winner of this year’s ‘Music Visionary of the Year,’ the prestigious and highly coveted honor newly added just last year.

This award goes beyond a single year’s achievements. For 26 years, the MAMA Awards have elevated K-pop’s value and vision, cementing their role as a visionary leader for the genre. Through this award, the MAMA Awards demonstrate a forward-looking perspective by recognizing iconic figures who have paved the way for the K-pop industry and significantly contributed to its evolution.

Last year’s inaugural winner, G-DRAGON, perfectly captured the award’s gravitas, wittily remarking, “I’m not sure if this is a once-in-a-lifetime award, but I’m not letting it go next year either.”

• CHAPTER 1 (Nov. 28) will focus on fan support, featuring the fan-voted FANS’ CHOICE alongside other artist and genre-specific awards.
• CHAPTER 2 (Nov. 29) will spotlight outstanding musical achievements throughout the year, honoring the artistry and contributions of K-pop’s leading acts.

Lineup and Location: The Mega Roster Heads to Kai Tak Sports Park

The 2025 MAMA Awards is the first K-pop awards ceremony to be held at the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park stadium. As has been noted, both nights follow a consistent schedule: The Red Carpet starts at 5:30 p.m. KST, and the Award Ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. KST.

The hosts for the two nights include renowned actors:

• CHAPTER 1 will kick off with host Park Bo-gum.
  • The Red Carpet begins at 5:30 p.m. KST, featuring izna and KickFlip.
• CHAPTER 2 will feature actress Kim Hye-soo taking the stage.
  • The Red Carpet begins at 5:30 p.m. KST, featuring Hearts2Hearts and TWS.

The performing artist lineup spans K-pop’s full spectrum, ranging from legendary veterans to global chart-toppers and rising stars.

Furthermore, a dazzling roster of global presenters will grace the stage: Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh will present on CHAPTER 1, while legendary Hong Kong actor and international film icon Chow Yun Fat will present on CHAPTER 2.

The other esteemed presenters across both chapters include: Ahn Eun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Arden Cho, Cha Joo-young, Cho Han-gyeol, Cho Sae-ho, Choi Dae-hoon, Go Youn-jung, Hyeri, Jang Do-yeon, Jeon Yeo-been, Jo Yu-ri, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Jun-hyuk, Lee Jun-young, Lee Kwang-soo, Lee Soo-hyuk, Noh Sang-hyun, Park Hyung-sik, Roh Yoon-seo, Shin Hyun-ji, Shin Seung-hun, Shin Ye-eun and Yim Si-wan.

Signature Stages: Cross-Genre Collabs and Unforgettable Moments

Expect the “HEAR MY ROAR: UH-HEUNG” concept to come to life through MAMA Awards’ signature iconic stages and thrilling collaborations:

• CHAPTER 1’s Opening: Host Park Bo-gum will join BOYNEXTDOOR, BUMSUP, CORTIS and TREASURE for a fresh, multi-genre interpretation of the Korean traditional song “Kwaejina Ching Ching” by 1TYM. This performance uniquely features CORTIS’s Martin and Seonghyeon, TREASURE’s Hyunsuk, Yoshi and Haruto alongside BOYNEXTDOOR’s Jaehyun and Woonhak.
• CHAPTER 2’s Opening: Making her MAMA Awards hosting debut, Kim Hye-soo will take the stage with Stray Kids’ Felix for a special message performance.
• Exclusive Duo Stage: Following the opening, a special performance will feature ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han Bin and KYOKA from Mnet’s WORLD OF STREET WOMAN FIGHTER.

More Unforgettable Stages:

• Cinematic Collaboration: In a landmark moment, the 2025 MAMA Awards will team up with Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters to bring the film’s climatic battle between Saja Boys and HUNTR/X from the screen to the stage. The following members perform these iconic roles:
  • Saja Boys – “Your Idol”: BOYNEXTDOOR’s Leehan, RIIZE’s Wonbin, TWS’s Shinyu, ZEROBASEONE’s Park Gun Wook and Han Yu Jin.
  • HUNTR/X – “Golden”: BABYMONSTER’s Pharita, Ahyeon and Rora.
• Legendary Stages and Debuts: Look forward to global K-pop rookie group ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s MAMA Awards debut, where they will perform their new single “FORMULA” after forming on Boys II Planet.
  • Veteran K-pop idol Super Junior will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a special legend stage honoring two decades of classic hits.
  • Global K-pop powerhouse Stray Kids will unveil the first-ever performance of their new track “Divine.”
  • In addition, BOYNEXTDOOR will showcase their own cinematic stage with a concept titled “Hollywood Remix,” while ZEROBASEONE will present a concept of “Chase the Bloom.”
  • Finally, TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun is also slated to deliver a solo performance of his tracks “Talk to You” and “Coma.”

As the world’s No.1 K-POP Awards, MAMA is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the artistry and power of music to connect people across boundaries.

Which of these incredible stages are you counting down to the most? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter/X!

Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of CJ ENM