Hong Kong is set to host the biggest K-pop spectacle of the year, promising unprecedented collaborations, iconic hosts, and global fan engagement that will leave you buzzing.
TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to MAMA Awards 2025
- The MAMA Awards 2025 are happening in Hong Kong on November 28-29, featuring a groundbreaking live stage collaboration with Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters."
- Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh joins a star-studded presenter lineup, with veteran hosts Park Bo-gum and Kim Hye-soo leading the two-day event.
- Expect exclusive performances from Stray Kids (debuting a new track!), Super Junior celebrating their 20th anniversary, and a global 4K livestream for fans worldwide.
Picture this: a climactic battle between the fierce Saja Boys and powerful HUNTR/X from Netflix's hit animated film, "KPop Demon Hunters," leaping off the screen and coming to life on a live stage. That's just one of the mind-blowing spectacles awaiting K-pop fans at the 2025 MAMA Awards!
This year, the annual celebration of K-pop excellence is pulling out all the stops, ready to electrify Hong Kong's newly opened Kai Tak Stadium on November 28 and 29. With a theme like "HEAR MY ROAR: UH-HEUNG," it's clear the organizers, CJ ENM, are aiming for an explosion of "the distinctly Korean spirit of fun and excitement" that has captivated audiences globally. This concept is all about embracing your true self, fearlessly, across all cultures and regions. What a message!
Behind the Spectacle: Why Hong Kong for This K-Pop Extravaganza?
You might have heard some chatter from Korean fans wishing the MAMA Awards would return to Seoul more frequently, given K-pop's origins. However, CJ ENM has made its global intentions clear. Park Chan-uk, head of Live Entertainment at CJ ENM, emphasized this strategic direction during a press premiere in Seoul:
"The MAMA Awards has always aimed to connect with K-pop fans around the world and has been leading the way in global expansion."
— Park Chan-uk, Head of Live Entertainment at CJ ENM
Since 2010, the awards have traveled to cities like Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and even the United States, only returning to Seoul during the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. This global push is deliberate, focusing on regions with active K-pop fanbases to "create an exciting and energetic stage that fits this year's concept."
Returning to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years, especially at the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium, marks a significant moment. The stadium, a new landmark in Hong Kong, can accommodate around 50,000 people, including standing areas. This is a massive leap from the 10,000-seat venue used in 2018, projecting a total attendance of over 70,000 concertgoers across the two days! It's also making history as the first-ever K-pop awards ceremony to be held at a stadium of this scale.
A Galaxy of Stars: Unveiling the Hosts and Presenters
The MAMA Awards are known for bringing together an incredible roster of talent, and 2025 is no exception. Veteran actor and singer Park Bo-gum returns to host Chapter 1 (Day 1), marking his impressive seventh time leading the event. For Chapter 2 (Day 2), the esteemed actress Kim Hye-soo will take the stage as the finale host.
PD Lee Young-joo shared the compelling reason behind Kim Hye-soo's selection:
"She recently wrapped up her role as MC of the Blue Dragon Film Awards, and we believed she could effectively convey the spirit and uniquely Korean concepts. When we explained the power of music, she responded with sincerity and enthusiasm."
— Lee Young-joo, Producer of MAMA Awards
But wait, there's more! The presenter lineup is truly star-studded, featuring a mix of global icons, acclaimed actors, and K-pop adjacent personalities:
- Michelle Yeoh: The Oscar-winning Malaysian actor, known for her role in "Wicked" and as the first Asian actor to win Best Actress, adds significant global prestige. Her participation "holds special significance" as K-pop has risen to the mainstream.
- KPop Demon Hunters Voice Actors: Arden Cho and Ahn Hyo Seop.
- Squid Game Stars: Jo Yuri and Yim Siwan.
- Pachinko Actor: Noh Sanghyun.
- Singer-Actors: Hyeri and Lee Junyoung.
- And many more: Go Youn Jung, Roh Yoon Seo, Park Hyung Sik, Shin Seung Hun, Shin Ye Eun, Shin Hyun Ji, Ahn Eun Jin, Lee Kwang Soo, Lee Do Hyun, Lee Soo Hyuk, Lee Jun Hyuk, Jang Do Yeon, Jeon Yeo Been, Cho Sae Ho, Jo Han Gyeol, Ju Ji Hoon, Cha Joo Young, Choi Dae Hoon.
Stages You Can't Miss: A Feast of Unique Performances
The core of the MAMA Awards is its innovative and often one-time-only performances. This year, they're truly pushing boundaries:
- "KPop Demon Hunters" Live Battle: This is a major highlight! The collaboration with Netflix's animated hit will see the iconic battle between Saja Boys and HUNTR/X brought to life on stage. While the K-pop idols portraying these fictional acts haven't been confirmed yet, producer Ma Doo-sik promised an "original stage that transcends the boundary between reality and animation." Soundtrack artists like EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, Kevin Woo, and Danny Chung might also join.
- Dynamic Opening Stages:
- Chapter 1: Park Bo-gum will open with boy bands TREASURE, BOYNEXTDOOR, CORTIS, and the BUMSUP dance crew. They’ll reimagine the traditional Korean song "Kwaejina Ching Ching" with a modern K-hip punch, involving the mega-crew mission from Mnet's "World of Street Woman Fighter."
- Chapter 2: Kim Hye-soo and Felix of Stray Kids will deliver a special opening performance, followed by ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han-bin pairing with Kyoka, a breakout star from "World of Street Woman Fighter."
- Stray Kids' Epic Debut: Get ready for the first live performance of "Divine," the lead track from Stray Kids' highly anticipated upcoming album, DO IT, which drops just days before the awards on November 21. This performance will celebrate their massively successful 2025, marked by chart-topping albums and a record-breaking stadium world tour.
- Super Junior's 20th Anniversary: The legendary idol group Super Junior will deliver a special performance honoring two decades in the industry. Expect a nostalgic and powerful stage from these K-pop pioneers.
- Rookie Group Debut: ALPHA DRIVE ONE, the newly formed group from "Boys Planet II," will make their exciting stage debut.
- Live Bands and 4K Immersion: Many performances will feature live bands, promising an even richer sound. For global viewers, CJ ENM is expanding access via its Mnet Plus platform, offering a stunning 4K livestream with enhanced camera angles.
The Pulse of K-Pop: Performers and Nominees
The 2025 MAMA Awards will feature an impressive lineup of 27 K-pop acts ready to perform. The confirmed performers include major names and rising stars alike:
- All Day Project, Alpha Drive One, BABYMONSTER, BOYNEXTDOOR, BEOMJUP, CORTIS, ENHYPEN, Hearts2Hearts, IVE, IZNA, KICKFLIP, MIYAO, RIIZE, Stray Kids, Super Junior, TWRS, ZEROBASEONE, aespa, G-DRAGON, I:D:IT, (G)I-DLE, JO1, Kyoka, MIRROR, NCT WISH, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), and TREASURE.
The nominees span a wide array of categories, from Best New Artist to Best Dance Performance, Vocal Performance, Band Performance, Rap & Hip Hop, Collaboration, OST, Music Video, and Choreography. Major contenders include G-DRAGON, aespa, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BOYNEXTDOOR, ENHYPEN, RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE, BABYMONSTER, (G)I-DLE, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE, JENNIE, JISOO, TAEYEON, ROSÉ, MARK, BAEKHYUN, Jin, and j-hope. Even the "KPop Demon Hunters" OSTs, "Golden" by HUNTR/X and "Soda Pop" by Saja Boys, earned nominations!
Example: Imagine it's November 28th. Maya, a K-pop fan in London, has her Mnet Plus app open on her smart TV. She’s particularly excited about the 4K livestream, hoping to catch every detail of Felix’s opening performance with Kim Hye-soo. With enhanced camera angles, she feels like she's right there in Hong Kong, part of the roaring crowd, even from thousands of miles away. The MAMA Awards' expanded streaming options really make this global experience possible.
Balancing Act: Global Vision vs. Local Roots (A Deeper Look)
While the global expansion strategy of the MAMA Awards is clearly yielding impressive results, attracting an international audience and top-tier presenters like Michelle Yeoh, it's worth acknowledging the counterpoint. Some Korean K-pop fans express a desire for the awards to be held more frequently in their home country, where K-pop originated and thrives. Their sentiment is understandable – a desire to celebrate the genre's biggest night on home soil.
CJ ENM's stance, however, highlights a different priority: uniting the world through music. By hosting in international hubs, they believe they can best engage with diverse global K-pop fandoms. It’s a trade-off: maximizing global reach and visibility often means prioritizing accessibility for international fans, which can, by necessity, mean fewer opportunities to host the event in Korea. The Kai Tak Stadium's massive capacity in Hong Kong, for instance, allows for an unprecedented scale that might not be as readily available or logistically feasible for every event in Seoul.
Another minor limitation for fans is the current uncertainty around the specific K-pop idols who will portray the "KPop Demon Hunters" characters. While the collaboration itself is thrilling, the anticipation (and mild frustration) of not knowing exactly who will bring Saja Boys and HUNTR/X to life might linger until closer to the event. Still, the mystery only adds to the excitement for many!
Practical Takeaways for K-Pop Fans: Don't Miss a Beat!
- Tune In Live: Mark your calendars for November 28-29 and catch all the action via the Mnet Plus platform for a stunning 4K livestream and dynamic camera angles.
- Watch for Demon Hunters: Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements regarding which K-pop idols will portray Saja Boys and HUNTR/X in the groundbreaking "KPop Demon Hunters" stage.
- Celebrate Milestones: Don't miss Super Junior's special 20th-anniversary performance, a truly iconic moment for K-pop history.
- Catch a Debut: Be there for Stray Kids' first live performance of "Divine" from their new album, DO IT.
- Experience the Spectacle: Enjoy the enhanced production value, including live bands and unique collaborations you won't see anywhere else.
Sources:
- Forbes, "MAMA Awards 2025 Promise Surprises With KPop Demon Hunters, Stray Kids & More," by Jeff Benjamin, November 12, 2025.
- The Korea Herald, "In global push, MAMAs leave K-pop roots behind," by Park Jun-hee, November 11, 2025.
- Global Economic, "‘2025 MAMA Awards’ Responds to Criticism Over Neglecting Korean Fans: “Aiming to Unite Fans Worldwide”," by Kim No Eul (translated by Lee So Yun), November 11, 2025.
- Star News, ""Expected to Convey the Spirit of Korea Well" – Reason for Selecting Kim Hye-soo as Host of MAMA Awards [2025 MAMA]," by Ji Seung-hoon (translated by GripLabs Mingo AI), November 11, 2025.
- Korea JoongAng Daily, "'The most Korean, most global': MAMA 2025 roars with KPop Demon Hunters, Michelle Yeoh," by Shin Ha-nee, November 11, 2025.
- The Sun Daily, "Michelle Yeoh to be a presenter at 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong," November 12, 2025.
- Sports Chosun, "2025 MAMA AWARDS World Star Quantum Awards Participation...Kedeheon's official collaboration stage is also prepared," by Jaewan, Ko, November 12, 2025.
- NME, "Here are all of the performers and presenters for the 2025 MAMA Awards," by Surej Singh, November 4, 2025.
- Malay Mail, "Michelle Yeoh to be a presenter at 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong," November 11, 2025.