(LIVE): 2025 MAMA Awards Chapter 1 kicked off at 7:30 pm KST (4 pm IST) on Friday, November 28, with main host Park Bo Gum walking out onto the stage alone. The award-winning and critically acclaimed K-drama icon began his address by offering his condolences to the families affected by Wednesday’s Hong Kong apartment complex fire.
As promised by the show’s production banner CJ ENM beforehand, the MAMA Awards observed a moment of silence before the show-stopping performances of the night. The red carpet event, which is generally held hours before the main awards nights, was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
Actors Ahn Eun Jin, Lee Joon hyuk and Lee Jun Young were among many others to grace the stage as top presenters on the first day of the K-pop awards ceremony. K-pop idols slated to put forth impressive showcases throughout the evening included Hearts2Hearts, NCT WISH, TREASURE, TWS, MEOVV, MIRROR, IVE, i-dle, ENHYPEN, BABYMONSTER, BOYNEXTDOOR, ALPHA DRIVE ONE and TXT’s Yeonjun.
Every artist coming up to the stage to collect their respective winning trophy extended sombre messages, offering their condolences to the victims of the unfathomable tragedy that stuck Hong Kong just days ago.
MAMA Chapter 1: BUMSUP’s big opening after moment of silence for Hong Kong
This star-studded schedule of breathtaking presentations was opened by the Korean dance team BUMSUP of World of Street Woman Fighter fame. Keeping in line with this year’s slogan “UH-HEUNG,’ the group’s performance evoked the vision of a traditional ink painting coming to life.
As Park Bo Gum described during his opening-ment, it is a Korean expression “that echoes the fierce roar of a tiger. It’s about embracing your true self. It’s about embracing your true self and boldly living as who you are.”
ENHYPEN and BLACKPINK’s Rose snagged the first batch of MAMA Grand Prizes (Daesang) on Day 1 of the awards night. Remaining major categories will be announced on Saturday.
2025 MAMA Awards Day 1 winners list
Fans’ Choice Male (fan-voted category): ENHYPEN, RIIZE, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE, BTS’ Jin, BTS’ J-Hope, G-Dragon, NCT DREAM, SEVENTEEN, EXO’s Baekhyun
Fans’ Choice Female (fan-voted category): BABYMONSTER, IVE, Hearts2Hearts, aespa, i-dle, Red Velvet’s Irene, IU, ILLIT, ITZY, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE
TELASA Favourite Global Artist: ENHYPEN
Favourite Female Group: IVE
Favourite Male Group: BOYNEXTDOOR
Best New Artist: CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts
Global Trend Song: “Rebel Heart” by IVE
Inspiring Achievement: SUPER JUNIOR
2025 MAMA Daesang (Grand Prize) Day 1
VISA Song of the Year: “APT” by BLACKPINK’s ROSE and Bruno Mars
VISA Fans Choice of the Year: ENHYPEN
The MAMA Awards 2025 Chapter 2 will commence at 7:30 pm KST tomorrow, November 29. Park Bo Gum will pass on the main host’s duties to veteran actress Kim Hye Soo for the final day of K-pop celebrations in Hong Kong.
More winning announcements coming tomorrow. Stay tuned!