Widespread controversy at the 2025 MAMA ceremony
The 2025 MAMA Awards, one of Asia's biggest music events, was a tumultuous and controversial night, with South Korean superstar G-Dragon . In a highly anticipated comeback, his performance at Hong Kong's Kai Tak stage went from a much-anticipated celebration to a storm of criticism, despite winning three of the show's top awards, including the prestigious "Artist of the Year" award.
Background to the event: The MAMA Awards and G-Dragon's status
The MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) is an annual platform celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Asian music industry, renowned for its grand spectacle and high-caliber production. Over the years, G-Dragon , the leader of BIGBANG, has been a cornerstone of the awards, delivering iconic performances that remain etched in the memories of audiences and cementing his status as one of the most influential and innovative artists in K-pop history. Therefore, expectations were incredibly high for his appearance at the 2025 edition, especially as it marked his strong return to the competitive scene after a period of anticipation.
Details of the debate: between awards and performance
But the night didn't go as planned. While G-Dragon was honored with the awards for "Best Male Solo Artist" and "Best Male Solo Dance Performance" for his song "Too Bad" featuring Anderson PK, in addition to the grand prize of "Artist of the Year," a wave of skepticism quickly erupted on social media. A large segment of the Korean public considered these results "undeserved," accusing the organizing committee of favoritism towards an artist with a long history with the network Mnet. Many fans argued that female artists like Rosé or ISPA were more deserving of the "Artist of the Year" award based on their commercial and critical success throughout the year. International fans also expressed their disappointment at J-Hope of BTS losing the award for Best Dance Performance, believing his song "Monalisa" was the most successful and impactful.
A performance described as disastrous
Adding fuel to the fire was G-Dragon's , which critics and fans described as "disastrous." He performed a medley of his hits, including "Drama," along with two older songs, "Heartbreaker" (2009) and "Untitled, 2014." The show suffered from significant technical issues with sound quality, with the artist's voice sounding weak and out of sync with the music for large portions of the performance. This lackluster performance led many to question the legitimacy of the awards he won that same night, arguing that a live performance is the true measure of an artist's readiness and worthiness.
Widespread impact and an uncertain future
This controversy represents a turning point that could impact the career of an artist of G-Dragon's stature, known for his high artistic standards. It also casts doubt on the credibility of the MAMA Awards, reinforcing the narrative that awards may not always reflect artists' actual achievements as much as their relationships with the organizing bodies. Regionally and internationally, this event highlights the fierce competition within the K-pop world and how a single night can spark widespread debates about the criteria for success and fairness in one of the world's largest music industries.
