MAMA Awards 2025: A Somber Hong Kong Tribute to Fire Victims

The 2025 MAMA Awards held its second chapter on November 29, 2025, with a profoundly somber tone, transforming the music ceremony into a powerful Hong Kong tribute. The event, broadcast live from the Kai Tak Stadium, took place just days after a catastrophic fire on November 26 at the Wong Fuk Court high-rise apartment complex in the Tai Po district, which resulted in 128 fatalities and over 200 missing persons. The K-pop awards show proceeded with a heavy heart, prioritizing mourning and solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.

A Ceremony Marked by Mourning and Solidarity

Setting the respectful mood for the evening, host Kim HyeSoo appeared on stage in a black suit. She opened the show not with celebratory fanfare, but with a heartfelt message of condolence for the victims and their families. Alongside her, Stray Kids Felix also expressed his deep sympathies, acknowledging the city’s pain and dedicating the night to remembrance. Their words established a theme of shared grief that resonated throughout the entire broadcast of the MAMA Awards.

Tributes from Presenters and Artists

The spirit of the Hong Kong tribute was carried on by numerous presenters and artists. Actors Yim SiWan, Go YounJung, and Lee SooHyuk each paused to offer their condolences before presenting awards. A particularly poignant moment came when legendary Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat took the stage to lead the entire stadium in a moment of silent prayer for the victims. The sentiment was also reflected in the acceptance speeches. Upon winning, aespa Winter and GD X TAEYANG both dedicated a portion of their speeches to mourning the tragedy, expressing sorrow and hope for the city’s recovery.

Stage Modifications and Performance Changes

In a direct response to the disaster, organizers of the MAMA Awards implemented significant changes to the show’s production. The planned special performance by the Saja Boyz, a fictional group from the movie “KPop Demon Hunters,” was canceled out of respect. Furthermore, all pyrotechnics, flames, and other fire-related special effects were completely removed from every performance. Several idol groups also reportedly altered song lyrics that could have inadvertently evoked images of fire, demonstrating a collective effort to ensure the music ceremony was sensitive to the local tragedy. This careful curation underlined the event’s focus on being a respectful K-pop awards show.

Major Wins Amidst a Solemn Night

Despite the somber atmosphere, the event fulfilled its role as a premier music ceremony by honoring the year’s top artists. The biggest winner of the night was GD X TAEYANG, with G-Dragon securing three major awards: Best Dance Performance Male Solo, Best Male Artist, and the coveted grand prize (Daesang), the VISA Artist of the Year. While this year’s ceremony was unique in its tone, the tradition of honoring top artists continued, much like in previous events such as the MAMA Awards 2022. The awards served as a quiet acknowledgment of artistic achievement in a night dedicated to shared grief and remembrance.

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