In what is emerging as the most sensible question to be asked at the minute, fans are wondering if the MAMA Awards 2025 will go as originally planned. The situation at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court residential complex is only growing more dire, with the death toll now having climbed to 55, while hundreds of others yet to be accounted for. The blaze was ultimately declared a level five fire, which is the highest rating.
The Hong Kong apartment complex tragedy this week has inevitably cast a dark shadow in the Asian city. Consequently, an uncertain future has also clouded the chances of the highly anticipated awards show going live this weekend while Hong Kong remains in mourning.
If the show goes on as per the original schedule, this would mark its first return to Hong Kong in seven years. With less than 24 hours to go, here’s what we know so far.
Have the MAMA Awards 2025 been cancelled?
According to an exclusive Korea Herald report, an emergency meeting the award ceremony host CJ ENM and the Hong Kong government to discuss the future of the K-pop event has been pushed back in the wake of one of the deadliest fires in the city’s history ripping through the high-rise buildings.
As has long been established, the fire broke out in the Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, which is just about 20 kilometres from Kai Tak Sports Park, the MAMA Awards venue.
“CJ ENM and the Hong Kong government have yet to hold a meeting to determine whether the annual awards will go ahead,” an industry source told the Korea Herald today. “From what I know, the Hong Kong government is too busy to deal with this matter. They were scheduled to meet (CJ ENM) in the afternoon, but it is unknown whether the meeting actually took place.”
As countless firefighters continue to fight the blaze at the apartment complex consisting of 8 high-rise towers, officials undoubtedly have their hands full at the moment.
Local reports say MAMA Awards will continue
Some local reports have also insinuated that the awards show may proceed, but on a smaller scale. Another purported possibility also suggested that event may go on without a live audience. Maeil Business Newspaper, on the other hand, proposed that the red carpet event preceding the main awards event may be cancelled in light of the sombre mood.
In yet another possibility, the show may proceed as before, but in a pre-recorded format, with its TV broadcast being postponed to a later date, according to Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS and other Chinese-language media.
The Korea Herald further shared that the show organiser CJ ENM had reportedly advised artists and managers who are already in Hong Kong to refrain from making use of stage effects, pyrotechnics or costumes that may symbolically represent fire.
As a result, some are already believed to have started rewriting scripts and amending the structure of the event to include emotional tributes and a moment of silence for the victims. Red-coloured outfits have reportedly been banned for the two-day event.
Considering not much time is left before the original show schedule goes live, it’s not possible to introduce bigger changes to the show at this time.
MAMA Awards red carpet event cancelled due to Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong stars Michelle Yeo and Chow Yun-fat had previously been confirmed to be included in the star-studded lineup of show presenters. However, Chinese-language media outlet are now suggesting that they may pull out of the event due to the blazing tragedy that has shaken the city’s composure.
If the original plan is to be followed, the MAMA Awards 2025 will proceed as a two-day event on November 28 and 29, 2025, at the multi-purpose stadium Kai Tak Sports Park. Any official word is still awaited.