Cover K-pop group Aespa performing at the Mama Awards 2025 on November 29, 2025 at Kai Tak (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
K-pop group Aespa performing at the Mama Awards 2025 on November 29, 2025 at Kai Tak (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
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The Mama Awards 2025 took place over the weekend in a subdued atmosphere while celebrating K-pop artists such as G-Dragon, Super Junior and Aespa
The Mama Awards 2025 concluded over the weekend at Kai Tak Sports Arena in Hong Kong, with an emotionally charged yet celebratory atmosphere. This year’s ceremony honoured some of the biggest names in K-pop, including G-Dragon, Super Junior and Aespa, while paying tribute to the victims of the deadly Tai Po fire.
The two-day event ended on November 29, with organisers choosing a toned-down production. Fireworks and other celebratory elements were cancelled out of respect for those affected by the tragedy.
The first night began with presenter Park Bo-gum leading a moment of silence before delivering a heartfelt speech:
“It has been seven years since the Mama Awards last returned to Hong Kong, and many have waited a long time for this day. Sadly, a tragic incident has occurred, resulting in the loss of precious lives and loved ones. I offer my deepest condolences and hope there will be no further sorrow.”
Don’t miss: Mama Awards 2025 to commemorate the victims of Tai Po fire
Above Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat presenting the Artist of the Year award at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat presenting the Artist of the Year award at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
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Several K-pop artists, including BoyNextDoor, Zerobaseone and Aespa, also paid tribute to the victims and their families. Ning Ning from Aespa expressed her respect for the firefighters who lost their lives in service, while the group also made donations in aid of those affected in Hong Kong. Ricky from Zerobaseone told the audience in Mandarin:
“We hope our performance brings a little warmth to everyone, and we will continue to give back through even better music in the future.”
Actor Chow Yun-fat, who had earlier withdrawn his attendance, appeared on the second night wearing a black suit and dark sunglasses to lead another moment of silence. Meanwhile, boyband Mirror chose not to perform; its members Anson Lo and Keung To made donations following the fire.
Above G-Dragon performing at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
G-Dragon performing at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
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On the musical front, G-Dragon took home Artist of the Year for the third time, having first earned the title in 2013 and again with his group BigBang in 2015. Blackpink’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’s Grammy-nominated single APT beat Golden, the theme song from the 2025 animation K-pop: Demon Hunters, to win Song of the Year. Boyband Enhypen was named Fans’ Choice of the Year, while Stray Kids’ chart-topping album Karma won Album of the Year. Newcomers Cortis and Hearts2Hearts shared the Best New Artist award.
A standout moment came when Super Junior, winners of the Inspiring Achievement Award, revived their 2009 viral hit Sorry, Sorry, setting the stage alight with nostalgic energy. G-Dragon followed with a powerful set featuring his solo debut Heartbreaker and his signature ballad Untitled. Babymonster members Rora, Ahyeon and Pharita embraced full K-pop: Demon Hunters-inspired outfits for their dynamic performance of Golden.
Above Babymonster performing ‘Golden’ from ‘K-pop: Demon Hunters’ at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
Babymonster performing ‘Golden’ from ‘K-pop: Demon Hunters’ at the Mama Awards on November 29, 2025 (Photo: courtesy of CJ ENM)
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Read on to find out the full list of winners:
Best New Artist
Cortis, Hearts2Hearts
Best Male Artist
G-Dragon
Best Female Artist
Seventeen
Best Female Group
Aespa
Best Dance Performance, Male Solo
G-Dragon – Too Bad (featuring Anderson .Paak)
Best Dance Performance, Female Solo
Jennie – Like Jennie
Best Dance Performance, Male Group
Seventeen – Thunder
Best Dance Performance, Female Group
Aespa – Whiplash
Best Vocal Performance, Female Solo
Rosé – Toxic Till the End
Best Vocal Performance, Group
Davichi – Stitching
Best Band Performance
Day 6 – Maybe Tomorrow
Best Rap and Hip-hop Performance
Big Naughty – Music (featuring Lee Chanhyuk)
Best Collaboration
Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT
Best Original Soundtrack
Huntr/x – Golden (Netflix – K-pop: Demon Hunters OST)
Best Music Video
Jennie – Zen
Best Choreography
Aespa – Whiplash
Artist of the Year
G-Dragon
Song of the Year
Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT
Album of the Year
Stray Kids – Karma
Fans’ Choice Male — Top 10
Baekhyun, Seventeen, Jin, Enhypen, G-Dragon, J-Hope, NCT Dream, Riize, Stray Kids
Fans’ Choice Female — Top 10
Irene, IU, Illit, Aespa, Babymonster, Hearts2Hearts, (G)I-dle, Itzy, Le Sserafim, Twice
Visa Fans’ Choice of the Year
Enhypen
Music Visionary of the Year
Netflix’s K-pop: Demon Hunters
Favourite Global Performer
Ive
Telasa Favourite Global Artist
Enhypen
Favourite Female Group
Ive
Favourite Male Group
BoyNextDoor
Global Trending Song
Ive – Rebel Heart
Inspiring Achievement
Super Junior
Favourite Rising Artist
Izna
Visa Super Stage Artist
Tomorrow x Together
Olive Young K-Beauty Artist
Hearts2Hearts
Favourite Asian Artist
Jo1
Breakthrough Artist
Allday Project
Worldwide KConers’ Choice
Zerobaseone
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
