The 2025 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) concluded its two-night event on November 29 in Hong Kong under a somber tone following a tragic fire incident in the city. While the atmosphere was subdued, the outcomes were anything but quiet — from G-DRAGON’s sweeping wins to Rosé’s historic Daesang and a fierce backlash over Album of the Year.
A Ceremony Marked by Reflection
With the recent residential fire claiming hundreds of lives, MAMA 2025 scaled down its typical grandeur. Performances and red carpet glitz were toned down, and attendees held a moment of silence in tribute. Still, fans watched closely as K-pop’s biggest names competed in one of the industry’s most prestigious awards shows.
Big Winners of the Night
Rosé made headlines with her Bruno Mars collaboration “APT.” which earned her Song of the Year, alongside Best Female Artist, Best Solo Vocal Performance, and Best Collaboration. Her individual success marks the first time a BLACKPINK member has won a Daesang at a Korean award show.
Jennie also had a successful night, taking home Best Female Solo Dance Performance for “like JENNIE” and Best Music Video for “ZEN.”
Stray Kids clinched Album of the Year with “KARMA”, a decision based heavily on global physical sales. Their rise to commercial dominance positioned them as successors to last year’s winners SEVENTEEN in the physical album domain.
G-DRAGON’s Album Snub Ignites Debate
Despite winning four awards, including Artist of the Year (Daesang), Best Male Artist, and Best Male Solo Dance Performance (“Too Bad”), G-DRAGON’s critically acclaimed album Übermensch was overlooked for Album of the Year — a result that triggered an immediate online uproar.
Fans expressed disappointment, claiming that artistic influence was unfairly overshadowed by sales data. Many argued that Übermensch was a cultural statement, not just an album. “This is not just about numbers,” one fan wrote. “It’s about legacy and artistic value, and G-DRAGON deserves recognition for both.”
Still, G-DRAGON became the first soloist in MAMA history to win Artist of the Year twice, reinforcing his status as a K-pop legend.
Full List of 2025 MAMA Winners
🏆 Grand Prizes (Daesang)
Artist of the Year: G-DRAGON
Song of the Year: ROSÉ x Bruno Mars – APT.
Album of the Year: Stray Kids – KARMA
Worldwide Fans’ Choice (Daesang): ENHYPEN
🔟 Top 10 Worldwide Fans’ Choice
Male: ENHYPEN, RIIZE, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE, BAEKHYUN, SEVENTEEN, JIN, G-DRAGON, j-hope, NCT DREAM
Female: BABYMONSTER, Hearts2Hearts, aespa, (G)I-DLE, IRENE, IU, ILLIT, ITZY, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE
🥇 Major & Special Awards
Best New Artists: CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts
Best Male Group: SEVENTEEN
Best Female Group: aespa
Best Male Artist: G-DRAGON
Best Female Artist: ROSÉ
Music Visionary of the Year: Kpop Demon Hunters
Super Stage Artist: TXT
🎤 Performance Awards
Best Dance Performance – Male Group: SEVENTEEN – THUNDER
Best Dance Performance – Female Group: aespa – Whiplash
Best Dance Performance – Solo Male: G-DRAGON – Too Bad
Best Dance Performance – Solo Female: JENNIE – like JENNIE
Best Vocal Performance – Group: DAVICHI – Stitching
Best Vocal Performance – Solo: ROSÉ – toxic till the end
Best Band Performance: DAY6 – Maybe Tomorrow
Best Collaboration: ROSÉ x Bruno Mars – APT.
Best Music Video: JENNIE – ZEN
Best Choreography: aespa – Whiplash
Best OST: HUNTR/X – Golden
Best Rap/Hip-hop Performance: BIG Naughty – MUSIC (feat. Lee Chanhyuk)
💖 Fan Favorite & Trend Awards
Favorite Male Group: BOYNEXTDOOR
Favorite Female Group: IVE
Favorite Global Female Performance Artist: IVE
Global Trend Song: IVE – REBEL HEART
Emerging Artist of the Year: izna
Best Asian Artist: JO1
Breakthrough Artist: ALLDAY PROJECT
Telasa Global Favorite Artist: ENHYPEN
Worldwide KCONers’ Choice: ZEROBASEONE
K-Beauty Star: Hearts2Hearts
Inspiring Achievement Award: SUPER JUNIOR
Final Thoughts
MAMA 2025 will be remembered for its reflective tone, emotional tributes, and the controversy surrounding its major categories. As K-pop evolves into a global force, the conversation between commercial success and artistic merit continues — and this year, G-DRAGON stood at the center of it.
Sources: K14,Soompi,Allkpop,Wikipedia