The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) is one of the most prominent music honors in the Kpop industry. However, each year, this prestigious event invariably finds itself at the center of significant controversies. This year, MAMA Awards 2023 returns with another controversy involving not only the nominations but also the lineup performers. So, what really happened behind these MAMA 2023 Awards issues? A complete discussion is available in the following report.
MAMA Awards 2023 Faces More Criticism and Controversy
One of the biggest and most prestigious annual Kpop events, MAMA Awards 2023, is ready for another spectacular grand stage with many renowned idols announced in the nominations. However, just like last year, the MAMA 2023 Awards grand stage must face another controversy and more criticisms involving both the nominations and the lineup of performers.
On October 22, a post in the online community TheQoo highlighted harsh criticisms and controversy from South Korean netizens against the MAMA Awards 2023. This post has garnered significant attention with over 220 comments and 44,000 views, reflecting the profound disappointment of Korean fans.
All the Issues on MAMA’s Nominations and Lineup Performers
So, what really happened behind the controversy surrounding MAMA Awards 2023 nominations and lineup performers?
After over two decades since its debut in 1999, MAMA Awards still cannot hold its event without facing severe issues and criticisms. Korean and the global Kpop community continuously consider MAMA Awards problematic.
This year, in its 24th annual event, MAMA Awards 2023 faces several backlashes with a controversy related to its nomination and lineup performers.
Cryptic Puzzles for Lineup Performers Reveal = EPIC Fail!
The first criticism that MAMA 2023 faces is related to its method of revealing lineup performers.
Last year, MAMA gained an impressive response for featuring incredible lineup performers. The main spotlight was on the unimaginable collaboration between 4th generation rookie girl groups: IVE, Kep1er, NMIXX, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans. This performance became one of the event’s highlights, with huge support from fans.
While fans have eagerly awaited this year’s performer lineup, MAMA 2023 posted cryptic puzzles instead. Although the puzzle was supposed to be fun, MAMA 2023 posted this riddle daily to guess who would perform at the event.
[#2023MAMA] ⚠SPOILER ALERT⚠ #1
— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) October 20, 2023
Who are the PERFORMERS on 2023 MAMA AWARDS?
2023 MAMA AWARDS를 빛낼 퍼포밍 아티스트는?
🔑SECRET CODE : 12 5 19 19 5 18 1 6 9 13
ONE I BORN
2023 MAMA AWARDS
2023.11.28(TUE)-29(WED) 6PM(KST)#MAMAAWARDS #2023MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/1ZJXyDRhoQ
Some fans might enjoy decoding the puzzle. However, since MAMA has been going with a tradition of straight reveal of its lineup performers, fans have been waiting for the announcement. That is why the puzzles became one of the center issues for the MAMA Awards 2023 controversy.
- “Why didn’t they just reveal everyone all at once?”
- “We can pretty much guess which groups will most likely to show up. This is just over the top.”
- “Are they planning to do this every day?”
- “I’m not a fan of MAMA, and I’m hesitant to back them. However, many idols, including my favorites, value the show, which is frustrating.”
The Loss of Kpop’s Core Language and Culture
Secondly, Korean fans also found it problematic because MAMA 2023 Awards kept posting using English for the announcement.
MAMA is a Kpop event deeply rooted in Korean culture. Furthermore, all the artists involved in the event have always been related to Kpop, dominated by those famous in South Korea. Therefore, fans believe posting announcements using all English has deviated from the core value of Kpop’s culture.
Not only that but MAMA Awards 2023 also decided to host the event in Japan. And for a Korean-centered award ceremony, this decision seems to be out of place.
- “Even international fans don’t like this method either…”
- “Really? I wasn’t aware this was still happening. How amusing.”
- “Once they began hosting it abroad, I was no longer interested in the event.”
- “I don’t really mind the small details, but choosing Japan as the hosting country seems like a poor decision to me.”
Unfair Nominations
Ultimately, the core controversy surrounding MAMA Awards 2023 centers on its nominations.
This year’s nomination for MAMA 2023 includes a multitude of renowned artists in the Kpop industry, including Jungkook, Jimin, V, Stray Kids, LE SSERAFIM, NCT DREAMS, IVE, and even Taeyang. However, fans believed that MAMA 2023 has been leaving out some names well deserved to enter this year’s nominations.
The big names that fans mentioned involved the exclusion of BTS Jin and RM in the solo nominations category. They believed the two BTS members deserved more recognition for their amazing solo releases.
Still, the biggest wonder in the MAMA 2023 Awards controversy was the exclusion of ATEEZ in many of its performance-based categories.
Among the idols of the same generations, ATEEZ has also been famous as one of the Kpop’s performance kings. So, leaving out the Kpop group from this year’s achievement and performance-related categories is simply unfathomable. It appears that MAMA is judging ATEEZ only by their popularity instead of their incredible quality.
Right
— Hwanakin (@randomr22) October 19, 2023
They are always ready to use them for events, but never actually give them anything back
Ateez not being nominated in any MAMA category is the biggest joke ever, they had one of the most successful cb worldwide and in SK, absolutely insane.pic.twitter.com/NuLs1rrCCE
— fri•• ⅞ GOLDEN my love (@jeonshalaaa) October 19, 2023
So, what do you think about this controversy surrounding the MAMA Awards 2023? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments. And finally, let’s hope that MAMA will hold this year’s event with a fair evaluation.
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I agree it was a poor decision to hold a Korean-centered awards event in other countries. Why don’t they just hold it in Korea? Like what’s the point of having such a “Korean awards for Korean artists” in Japan? The artists should fly to Japan. It doesn’t make sense.
Lol, just have fun! 🤣🤣🤣🤣