According to the schedule, the 2025 MAMA music awards ceremony of Korea will take place on November 28-29, at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong (China).
Initially, the event was expected to be held grandly. But right before the awards ceremony, in Hong Kong (China), a level 5 fire broke out in Wang Fuk Court apartment complex on the afternoon of November 26, killing at least 128 people and leaving hundreds missing.
After many urgent meetings, the MAMA organizing committee decided to scale up the event but still conduct it on schedule.
From November 25-28, performing artists, actors participating in the awards ceremony and the production crew took turns flying to Hong Kong to prepare for the program.
In this situation, the MAMA awards organizing committee issued a laughing ban for artists. The organizers asked the artists not to show excitement or express express too brightly when coming to Hong Kong to avoid causing misunderstanding to the public.
Therefore, when entering the country, many artists are said to have worn masks or kept their faces serious.
The organizers also reminded all artists and the backstage team: The current situation makes the level of sensitivity to fire safety at a very high level. Please pay special attention to indoor safety.
2025 MAMA has canceled the red carpet but the main awards ceremony will still be broadcast live as planned. Instead of a brilliant award ceremony, the event will be held in a solemn, commemorative and hopeful manner.
Effects that may be reminiscent of a fire such as fireworks and images of the fire on the LED screen are all removed. Some artists and bands have even had to change their costumes to suit the solemn atmosphere.
The 2025 MAMA Organizing Committee said: We will integrate the message of supporting Hong Kong (China) to share the sadness and commemorate the victims, and support victims through donation activities.
We believe in the healing and connecting power of music, so instead of focusing on grandness, the program will focus on comfort and spreading hope. Hopefully, music can bring some encouragement and give everyone more courage".
In another development, leading Korean entertainment companies have raised money to support victims of the apartment fire in Hong Kong (China).
HYBE donated 2.66 million USD USD (about 340,000 USD), JYP donated 2 million USD (about 256,000 USD), YG and SM each donated 1 million USD (about 128,000 USD).
Artists and groups such as Jackson (GOT7), Super Junior, aespa, RIIZE, i-dle also supported it individually.
