K-pop icon G-Dragon returned to the spotlight at the 2025 MAMA Awards held on November 29 at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium. Despite taking home major awards, including Best Dance Performance, Best Male Artist, and the coveted Artist of the Year, his highly anticipated stage fell flat — triggering widespread backlash and even self-critique from the artist himself.
During his live performance, G-Dragon presented a medley of his hit tracks: DRAMA, Heartbreaker, and Untitled, 2014. Accompanied by beatboxer WING, expectations were high for a powerful return. However, many viewers expressed disappointment as the singer struggled through high notes, paused during multiple sections, and leaned heavily on AR (pre-recorded vocals), diminishing the impact of the performance.
The backlash intensified online, with fans labeling the stage a “disaster.” Some even described the experience as painful to watch, pointing out that G-Dragon’s voice was barely audible during the stripped-down ballad segment of Untitled, 2014. Critics claimed the singer seemed distracted, unprepared, and emotionally distant from the performance.
In a surprising move, G-Dragon commented directly on a clip of the performance posted by MAMA’s official account. Without any text, he simply left a thumbs-down emoji — widely interpreted as a candid admission of his own dissatisfaction. The internet was quick to dub this act “붐따 (Boomdda)” — a play on “boom-up,” meaning he flipped the mood downward.
This isn’t the first time G-Dragon has faced scrutiny over his live vocals. Similar concerns were raised after his performance at the 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon and during his solo concert earlier this year in March. With this pattern, questions about his live performance consistency have become more pressing among fans and media alike.
Reactions from the public have been mixed. While some fans expressed disappointment — “He’s not what he used to be,” “I expected more from a legend” — others defended the artist, citing possible health issues or stage anxiety. Still, the incident has opened broader conversations about the challenges seasoned idols face as they attempt to meet or surpass their past glory.
As G-Dragon continues his musical comeback, this moment at MAMA may serve as a turning point — both a humbling reality check and a powerful reminder of the public’s high expectations. Whether he will address the criticism directly or let his next stage speak for itself remains to be seen.
Sources: Nate