Quick Read
- Daesang Song of the Year went to BLACKPINK’s Rosé ft. Bruno Mars for ‘APT.’
- ENHYPEN won Daesang Fans Choice of the Year at MAMA Awards 2025 Day 1.
- Best New Artist awards were given to CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts.
- The event’s red carpet was cancelled due to a deadly fire in Hong Kong days earlier.
- Eleven K-pop groups performed, with Super Junior, IVE, ENHYPEN, and BABYMONSTER among the highlights.
MAMA Awards 2025 Day 1: Daesang Honors Take Center Stage
The MAMA Awards, Asia’s biggest annual celebration of K-pop, exploded onto the stage in Hong Kong’s Kai Tak stadium on November 28, 2025, for its highly anticipated first day. The spotlight was firmly fixed on the Daesang categories—the highest honors awarded each year—which recognize the artists and songs that shaped the musical landscape.
Who Won Daesang at MAMA Awards 2025?
On Day 1, two Daesang awards were handed out, marking the pinnacle of achievement for the night:
- Visa Song of the Year (Daesang): APT. by BLACKPINK’s Rosé ft. Bruno Mars
- Visa Fans Choice of the Year (Daesang): ENHYPEN
BLACKPINK’s Rosé, collaborating with international superstar Bruno Mars, delivered the year’s most acclaimed song, setting a new benchmark for cross-genre innovation in K-pop. ENHYPEN, meanwhile, proved their overwhelming popularity by capturing the hearts of fans worldwide, earning the coveted Fans Choice Daesang.
Breakthrough Artists and Rising Stars
While the Daesang winners commanded headlines, Day 1 also showcased the industry’s rising stars. Newcomers CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts claimed the Best New Artist award, making a bold entrance onto the scene. The Fans’ Choice Awards recognized groups like BABYMONSTER, TWICE, ENHYPEN, and soloists such as BTS’ Jin and j-hope, highlighting the diversity and depth of current K-pop talent.
Other notable honors included:
- Favourite Global Performer: IVE
- Telasa Favorite Global Artist: ENHYPEN
- Favourite Female Group: IVE
- Favourite Male Group: BOYNEXTDOOR
- Global Trend Song: Rebel Heart by IVE
- Inspiring Achievement: Super Junior
Performances: Energy, Emotion, and Spectacle
Eleven K-pop groups electrified the crowd with a parade of performances that ranged from heartfelt ballads to jaw-dropping dance numbers. Hearts2Hearts teamed up with NCT WISH for a colorful opening, while BABYMONSTER hyped the audience with «We Go Up» and «Drip». The night’s playlist kept shifting gears—TWS and MEOVV brought energy with «Flip the Coin» and «HANDS UP», while Super Junior revisited their classics «Mr. Simple» and «Sorry, Sorry».
IVE’s set included their hit «Rebel Heart», underscoring their status as a global trendsetter. ENHYPEN’s performance, blending «No Doubt», «Bridge», and «Bad Desire», was a crowd favorite, solidifying their place as one of the night’s biggest stories.
Triumph and Tragedy: A Night Shadowed by Loss
This year’s MAMA Awards were not untouched by sorrow. The glitz and glamour of the red carpet were absent, as organizers cancelled the event following a tragic fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district just days earlier. The Wang Fuk Court residential complex blaze claimed dozens of lives, with many still missing and injured, casting a somber mood over the festivities.
Presenter Kim Hye-soo acknowledged the tragedy, and the audience observed a moment of silence, reflecting the resilience and compassion of the K-pop community during difficult times.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Daesang Winners?
With the Daesang awards now in the hands of Rosé, Bruno Mars, and ENHYPEN, fans and industry insiders are eager to see what comes next. Will this year’s Song of the Year spark more international collaborations? Can ENHYPEN maintain their momentum and global appeal? The MAMA Awards have once again raised the bar, and the ripples from these wins will be felt across the music world in the months to come.
As the two-day event continues, all eyes remain on Hong Kong, where the celebration of talent, innovation, and community persists—even in the face of adversity.
The MAMA Awards 2025 Day 1 was a study in contrasts: explosive performances and historic wins set against the backdrop of real-world tragedy. The Daesang honors underscored not just artistic achievement, but also the power of music to unite and uplift, even when the world outside feels uncertain. In a year marked by both innovation and loss, the winners’ stories remind us why K-pop continues to resonate globally.