MAMA AWARDS 2025 in Hong Kong: Music and a Profound Sense of Solidarity

The MAMA AWARDS 2025 Chapter 1 unfolded in Hong Kong on November 28th, adopting a significantly altered format—a gesture born out of deep respect and solidarity. Following the tragic incident at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, which resulted in the confirmed loss of at least 65 lives, the organizing body, CJ ENM, made the decision to cancel the customary red carpet event. Furthermore, the organization pledged tangible financial assistance to the victims and those affected by the disaster.

Asia’s premier annual music celebration prioritized humanity over glamour and spectacle for this edition.

The venue, Kai Tak Stadium, hosted an event characterized by restraint yet underscored by profound meaning. The atmosphere reflected a conscious shift in presentation:

• Hong Kong had declared its highest alert level, the fifth level of fire hazard, for the first time since 2008.

When external distractions fade, the internal resonance becomes more pronounced. In moments where culture confronts significant loss, music transcends its role as mere entertainment. It ceases to be background noise, a mere decoration, or disposable content.

Instead, music transforms into a vital space for connection—delicate, carefully constructed, and undeniably honest. The very absence of elaborate special effects served to illuminate aspects often obscured by flash and noise. These included the genuine warmth of human connection, the inherent fragility of the present moment, the power of real presence, and the collective impulse to simply stand together.

Sometimes, dialing back external energy is not a deficit but rather an opening—a pathway to accessing a different kind of illumination. That evening, MAMA demonstrated maturity rather than sheer power. The music found its way into spaces where what was required was not a sudden burst of light, but steadfast presence.

Grand Prize for Song of the Year: Rosé’s “APT.”

The highest honor, the Visa “Song of the Year,” was awarded to Rosé for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on the track “APT.,” which had been one of the most discussed music releases spanning late 2024 and throughout 2025. The artist accepted the award remotely; her pre-recorded message carried a particularly gentle tone given the somber context of the evening’s proceedings.

ENHYPEN Dominates Fan Voting

The group ENHYPEN secured the Visa Fans’ Choice of the Year award, a key category determined entirely by fan ballots. With their fifth debut anniversary just two days away, the members described the win as a “gift, a sign of recognition and love from our fans.” In total, the group collected three accolades, including the TELASA Favorite Global Artist award.

Recognizing New Voices and Established Legends

• The awards for Best New Artist went to Cortis and Hearts2Hearts.

Occasionally, the world demands honesty over fireworks. In 2025, MAMA embodied this principle, evolving beyond a mere showcase into a platform where culture remembered its fundamental purpose: serving as a space where one heart can truly hear another.