MAMA Awards

The MAMA Awards made its US debut at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on November 21st. The day began with a morning press event to share what fans could expect from the evening’s performances. Park Chan-wook, Head of CJ ENM Convention Business, introduced the awards with a vision centered on three core strategies: global expansion, achieved by increasing and diversifying activities; L2K (Latin to Korea), focused on empowering localized artists to fully realize their potential; and transcending national borders by incorporating elements like AI and the arts to innovate and create impactful experiences.

For someone newly introduced to the world of K-pop, I entered the theater filled with anticipation. The excitement from the fans filled the room, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made me feel at ease in this new space. As a designer, I was also particularly eager to see how each performance would blend technology, art, and set design throughout the show.

The show opened with TWS performing a cover of BTS’s “Dynamite,” followed by ILLIT’s rendition of TWICE’s “Heart Shaker.” RIIZE wrapped up the performances with their version of NCT 127’s “Kick It.” The LED wall synchronized with songs and set the stage that matched each artist’s outfit, showcasing how K-pop blends storytelling with cinematic set designs.

Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman took the stage to present the award for Best New Male Artist to TWS. He shared with the audience how attending KCON with his wife allowed him to experience the impact of K-pop. After TWS’ heartfelt acceptance speech, girl group YOUNG POSSE took the stage with high-energy performances of “Ate That” and “XXL,” bringing the crowd to their feet.

RIIZE later received the award for Best Global Male Performance, presented by Lance Bass, who praised, “K-pop shows the dedication behind the craft, filled with pride.” Before continuing their acceptance speech, RIIZE invited the entire audience to join them in wishing member Sohee a happy birthday. The group expressed heartfelt gratitude to their fans while acknowledging the challenges they’ve faced: “We are having open conversations with our agency and receiving a lot of support. We are grateful to our fans for standing by us through this process. What we hope for is for RIIZE and Briize [fandom name] to always be there for each other. Thank you once again.” They emphasized their commitment to improvement and maintaining open communication with their management team, promising their fans that they “will continue to show the best version of ourselves.”

Drum rolls, pom-poms, and football field backdrops set the scenes as the LA Rams cheerleaders brought out Katseye, who performed “Debut” in their bedazzled, multicolored varsity jackets. The crowd screamed with excitement as the girl group delivered a halftime-show-worthy performance filled with splits and dance breaks with the cheerleaders. Witnessing Katseye perform in perfect sync alongside 30+ LA Rams cheerleaders to their hit song “Touch” was an experience I didn’t know I needed. It truly demonstrated how K-pop elevates group performances to another level with athleticism.

With a dual performance of “Oh Mymy: 7s” and “Plot Twist.” TWS returned to the stage with a high school-themed K-drama intro, portraying a rivalry between a literary club and a football team. With lockers and school chairs as props, the group wrapped up the number with a stunning marching band performance by Cerritos’ Tetzlaff Junior High. This performance showcased how K-pop transcends beyond music, embedding narratives and visuals to evoke deeper emotions from fans.

ILLIT sparkled on stage with an intro video reminding viewers to embrace loneliness with imagination and, dare I say…unicorn magic? The group captivated the audience with their hit songs “Magnetic” and “Cherish,” transforming the stage with a pink neon city backdrop and ending the performance with confetti.

To present the Best Dance Performance (Male Group) award, American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung joked about volunteering to be part of the show just to stand on stage. He also expressed his gratitude for K-dramas and K-movies, highlighting how they have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. When TWS accepted their second award of the night, they reflected on how their time spent practicing and performing was worthwhile. They expressed heartfelt thanks to their friends and families for their continued support.

RIIZE delivered another captivating performance by taking the audience back in time to their debut. With their song “Get a Guitar,” the LED wall displayed vintage TVs playing past photos and videos, depicting a journey through their history while inviting fans to join them in their next chapter.

Oscar winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph presented ILLIT with Best New Female Artist. Reflecting on her early days as a singer, Randolph said, “Seeing young artists’ dreams come true reminds me of the countless hours spent chasing my own.” ILLIT gave a tearful speech, recalling their dreams of performing on stage since their trainee days and thanking their fans, GLLIT, for their unwavering support. “Without GLLIT, we wouldn’t have won this award this year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will strive to shine beside GLLIT for a long time, just as you have shone for us. Moving forward, we will show more of what makes ILLIT unique and bring you performances that are truly ours.”

Finally, JY Park delivered a futuristic intro that depicted him waking up in a pod with no memory, symbolizing a new chapter in K-pop’s global journey. Bringing the entire audience to their feet, Park showcased his “Minnesota funk” with the live band to perform “Easy Lover.” When it was finally time for the special guest, Park introduced Anderson .Paak as “my brother from another mother.” The duo delivered a memorable funk-infused performance with solo drums and piano. The crowd chanted “JYP!” as Park closed the show and received the Inspiring Achievement Award, presented by .Paak.

As the evening came to a close, host Park Bo-gum reminded us that “music makes one.” This simple statement represents the intention behind K-pop and for the evening, bridging cultures and connecting people worldwide.