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South Korean actor Song Joong-ki attends 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards at the Asia World Expo on December 14, 2018 in Hong Kong (Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), one of the major music awards shows in South Korea has finally confirmed its date and host location following rumours that it will be returning to Hong Kong. JTBC News confirmed that MAMA 2021 will take place in South Korea after taking various factors into consideration including the ongoing pandemic.
The music award show will be held in CJ E&M’s Contents World in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province on December 11. The venue has yet to fully open but is equal to the size of 32 soccer fields. Last year’s MAMA was also held in the same venue virtually due to the pandemic.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the music industry, as well as society as a whole, is in a slump. It would be great if 2021 MAMA blows new vitality into the music industry by being held in K-pop’s country of origin Korea while also giving hope and courage through K-pop to the people who have become worn out,” says Kim Hyun-soo, CJ E&M's director of music content.
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The music awards show gives prizes to K-pop artists who have achieved outstanding performances in the music industry. There are four Daesang (grand prize) given each year: artist of the year, album of the year, song of the year and since 2018, the worldwide icon of the year.
In 2019 and 2020, BTS swept all four major awards and currently holds 13 Daesang awards—the most in the history of the awards show. Other competitive awards include best male artist, best female artist, best new artist, best dance performance and more. BTS ties with soloist IU for the most competitive awards with eight each.
Since 2010, MAMA has been held overseas including Hong Kong from 2012 to 2015. In 2017, it was held in Hong Kong alongside Vietnam and Japan while in 2018, it was held in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, this year’s host has yet to be announced. Vincenzo star, Song Joong-ki hosted the show last year and in 2017.
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