The MAMA Awards are always one of the biggest and most awaited moments in the K-pop world. The 2025 ceremony is already being called a historic event. It returns to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years for two nights of memorable performances.
The theme for the 2025 show is “HEAR MY ROAR: UH-HEUNG.” “Uh-heung” captures a uniquely Korean feeling of joy and spirited excitement. The concept sends a bold message about embracing who you truly are, no matter your background, culture, or nationality. The roar of the tiger, a symbol of Korea’s strength and pride, reflects the idea that music has the power to bring people together.
2025 MAMA Awards Dates and Venue
The 2025 ceremony is officially titled the 2025 MAMA AWARDS Presented by Visa, and will take place over two days—November 28 and 29, 2025—at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium, located inside Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park. Each broadcast will begin at 6:30 PM local time. This venue will host a major K-pop awards show of this scale for the first time.
Performers Lineup
The lineup reflects the past, present, and future of K-pop and is arranged in two themed chapters.
Chapter 1 (Nov. 28):
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE
- BABYMONSTER
- BOYNEXTDOOR
- BUMSUP
- ENHYPEN
- Hearts2Hearts
- i-dle
- IVE
- MEOVV
- MIRROR
- NCT WISH
- Super Junior
- TREASURE
- TWS
- Yeonjun of TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
Chapter 2 (Nov. 29):
- aespa
- ALLDAY PROJECT
- CORTIS
- G-Dragon
- IDID
- izna
- JO1
- Kickflip
- Kyoka
- RIIZE
- Stray Kids
- TOMORROW X TOGETHER
- Wing
- ZEROBASEONE.
MAMA Awards 2025 Hosts, Presenters & Special Stages
Day 1 will be hosted by Park Bo Gum, while Kim Hye Soo will lead Day 2. They will be joined by a wide selection of high-profile presenters from film, TV, and music.
The list includes Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, Squid Game actors Im Siwan and Jo Yuri, and KPop Demon Hunters voice actors Ahn Hyo Seop and Arden Cho, as well as Park Hyung Sik, Lee Kwang Soo, Hyeri, and many more. Other presenters include
- Go Youn Jung
- Roh Yoon Seo
- Noh Sang Hyun
- Shin Seung Hun
- Shin Ye Eun
- Shin Hyun Ji
- Ahn Eun Jin
- Lee Do Hyun
- Lee Soo Hyuk
- Lee Jun Young
- Lee Jun Hyuk
- Jang Do Yeon
- Jeon Yeo Been
- Cho Sae Ho
- Cho Han Gyeol
- Ju Ji Hoon
- Cha Joo Young
- Choi Dae Hoon
As always, MAMA has prepared multiple special collaborations and exclusive performances.
For Chapter 1, the opening stage will feature Park Bo Gum joining BOYNEXTDOOR, CORTIS, TREASURE, and the dance crew BUMSUP. They will reinterpret the traditional Korean folk song “Kwaejina Ching Ching” with a new K-Hip spin.
For Chapter 2, Kim Hye Soo and Stray Kids’ Felix will present a symbolic “message performance.” The second day will also include a collaboration stage featuring ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han Bin and globally renowned dancer Kyoka.
In a first for the ceremony, MAMA will also collaborate with Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters. It will recreate the movie’s climactic showdown between SAJA Boys and HUNTR/X on stage.
This year will also include several milestone moments. Rookie boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE will make their first official stage debut at MAMA. Super Junior will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a large-scale “legend stage.” Stray Kids will debut the first live performance of a brand-new track, “DIVINE,” from their upcoming album.
Award Categories of Interest
Several nomination fields continue to draw the most attention among fans, including:
- Best Male Artist: MARK, BAEKHYUN, Jin, G-DRAGON, j-hope
- Best Female Artist: Yuqi, Jennie, Jisoo, Taeyeon, Rosé
- Best Male Group: SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BOYNEXTDOOR, ENHYPEN, RIIZE, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE
- Best Female Group: aespa, BABYMONSTER, i-dle, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE
There is also the unique Music Visionary of the Year award, presented to an icon who influences and shapes the direction of K-pop. G-Dragon was the first-ever winner last year and humorously vowed that he wouldn’t miss the award this year either. It would be exciting to see who wins this prestigious award this year.
Where to Watch MAMA Awards 2025 Live
The entire MAMA Awards 2025 ceremony will be broadcast live worldwide in 4K via Mnet Plus. The platform offers enhanced viewing options and multiple camera angles so fans everywhere can fully experience the spectacle.
Mark your calendar for November 28 and 29 when MAMA 2025 will return to Hong Kong.
