The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) will return to Hong Kong in 2025 after a seven-year break, and reports suggest BTS may headline the event. The two-day ceremony will take place on November 28 and 29 at Kai Tak Sports Park, a new 50,000-seat venue built to host large-scale global events.
This year’s MAMA holds a particular weight for BTS. If confirmed, the appearance would mark the group’s first major award show performance since completing military service. Their last full stage at MAMA was in 2022 in Osaka, after which the members began enlistment.
During their absence, individual activities kept their presence at the awards alive. At MAMA 2024, Jungkook won Best Male Artist and Best Dance Performance (Male Solo).
The lineup for MAMA 2025 has not been officially announced, but industry insiders expect BTS to be joined by leading artists such as SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, G-DRAGON, IU, and Taeyeon. Fourth-generation groups, including aespa, TXT, LE SSERAFIM, BABYMONSTER, and IVE, are also rumored to perform. The event may feature collaborations with Hong Kong stars like Andy Lau, Eason Chan, and G.E.M.
In addition, reports suggest BLACKPINK may attend, though it remains uncertain at about a 50% chance. If confirmed, they are expected to appear at the MAMA Awards on November 28 before heading to Singapore for their world tour concerts on November 29–30.
The ceremony follows last year’s standout moment in Tokyo, where BIGBANG reunited for their first group performance in nine years. Their stage, alongside G-DRAGON’s solo appearance and award win as Music Visionary of the Year, raised expectations for MAMA’s ability to deliver historic performances. BTS’s possible return as a group in 2025 would continue that legacy.
MAMA has grown from a domestic music award show in 1999 to a global platform, expanding into cities such as Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and even the United States in 2024. Its return to Hong Kong for the first time since 2017 shows CJ ENM’s aim to reinforce cultural ties across Asia.
Meanwhile, BTS members will continue solo activities after completing work on their 2026 album.
