First US Debut '2024 MAMA Awards'... G-Dragon and Anderson .Paak to Perform on Stage

Celebrating 25th Anniversary... On the 21st Next Month at LA Dolby Theatre
Held for Two Days Also in Japan
CP Yoon Shinhye "US Largest Market, Challenging with a Sense of Mission"

The 'MAMA AWARDS,' celebrating its 25th anniversary, is expanding its stage to the United States, the world's largest music market.

Yoon Shin-hye, CP of CJ ENM, is answering questions about the upcoming performance at the '2024 MAMA Awards' press premiere event held on the morning of the 29th at the CJ ENM building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Photo by CJ ENM
[Image source: Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 29th, a press premiere for the '2024 MAMA Awards' (hereafter 'MAMA Awards') was held at CJ ENM located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included producer Yoon Shin-hye CP, Lee Sun-hyung, head of the Convention Business Team, and art director Noh Mi-rae.

The 'MAMA AWARDS' is a music awards ceremony with a 25-year history hosted by CJ ENM. Since its first event in 2009, it has attracted attention every year at the end of the year with its grand scale, differentiated planning, and iconic stages. Since 2022, reflecting the reality that K-pop's influence has expanded from Asia to the entire world, the existing 'Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS' was rebranded as 'MAMA AWARDS.'

This year, the 'MAMA AWARDS' will be held on November 21 (local time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA, and on November 22 and 23 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. It will be broadcast live worldwide through Mnet, Mnet's YouTube channel, and the Mnet K-POP channel.

Producer Yoon Shin-hye commented on the first-ever U.S. hosting of the 'MAMA AWARDS' in its 25-year history: "The United States is an important region as the world's number one music market. 'MAMA AWARDS' has challenged itself relentlessly to set first records. We have gone through many trials and errors, but through those, we have gained unmatched know-how. We decided to hold the event in the U.S. with a sense of mission that someone must take the first step."

This is also the first time a K-pop awards ceremony is held in the United States. The Dolby Theatre in LA, chosen as the first venue for K-pop, is considered a key location in the global entertainment industry. The Academy Awards are held here every year.

Regarding the significance of entering the U.S. market, Yoon said, "New challenges are always difficult, but I want to say they are exciting. We want to show an atmosphere that can only be experienced at the Dolby Theatre in the U.S. and present another side of the 'MAMA AWARDS.' Although it is a heavy responsibility, we are preparing with great joy and dedication."

On the morning of the 29th, the '2024 MAMA AWARDS' media day was held at the CJ ENM Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From the left in the photo are Nomirae, Art Director of Media Art Creation Team 1, Yoon Shinhye, CP, and Lee Seonhyeong, Head of Music Convention Business Team 2.
[Photo by CJ ENM]

The concept of the awards ceremony is 'BIG BLUR: What is Real?' It reflects the era of big blur, where boundaries between industries are dissolving, and aims to showcase 'New Things' born from the fusion of diverse music, culture, and tastes within blurred boundaries.

Producer Yoon revealed the hosts for this year's ‘MAMA AWARDS’: actors Park Bo-gum and Kim Tae-ri. Park Bo-gum expressed through the 'MAMA' side, "I am excited to be part of a page in K-pop history. I look forward to a wonderful stage and hope everyone unites through music." Kim Tae-ri also shared, "It is an honor to participate in a festival where efforts and talents explode like fireworks on stage. I have deep respect for the artists and eagerly await the day we share the stage." Producer Na Young-seok, who will serve as an award presenter, said, "I look forward to it every year because I can witness the pinnacle of the stage. I am honored to be invited to such an amazing event."

Many leading K-pop artists will appear at the ceremony. On the U.S. stage, groups Aileit, Rise, Cats Eye, Tours, Youngpa C, and Park Jin-young will perform. On the Japan stage, ENHYPEN, IVE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aespa, ZEROBASEONE, TREASURE, Lee Young-ji, BIBI, and G-Dragon will showcase unprecedented performances.

Producer Yoon focused on introducing participating artists and special stages. He listed diverse performances, including Park Jin-young’s special stage celebrating his 30th debut anniversary (U.S. ceremony), the debut stage of the group IZ*ONE (Japan ceremony), and a collaboration stage between P1Harmony and Lee Young-ji. Notably, the appearance of pop star Anderson .Paak on the U.S. stage was revealed for the first time, drawing attention.

2024 MAMA AWARDS Lineup.
[Photo by CJ ENM]

Regarding G-Dragon's stage, Producer Yoon said, "Upon hearing news of his comeback preparations this year, we began negotiations. He has shown determination to leave an iconic stage once again, having presented the most iconic performances at 'MAMA AWARDS' and personally remembering them as impressive. He is confidently preparing while coordinating the MAMA stage with his comeback timing. He showed confidence that he can leave a stage that will be talked about for another 10 or 20 years." However, regarding a full Big Bang reunion stage, he cautiously stated, "It is under review. If confirmed, we will inform you as soon as possible."

P1Harmony will present a special stage with Lee Young-ji. Producer Yoon hinted, "I think it will be a very fun stage, and we are preparing for it." Additionally, members of TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ENHYPEN, and ZEROBASEONE will form a band and showcase new teamwork. Producer Yoon asked, "Please look forward to which members will play which instruments on stage."

Finally, Producer Yoon said, "We are preparing on a large scale to provide fun on-site and a differentiated experience from other awards ceremonies. The U.S. ceremony is sold out, and tickets for Japan are still on sale, but I think they will sell out soon as well." He added, "We will strive to make this an ever-growing awards ceremony."

For the first time since its inception, 'MAMA AWARDS' will introduce the ‘2024 MAMA Superfan’ system to quickly reflect the voices of K-pop fandoms worldwide. Starting this year, those selected as ‘MAMA Superfans’ will directly participate in the candidate selection process. From August 22 to September 12, over 100,000 K-pop fans applied through the global K-pop platform Mnet Plus for the ‘2024 MAMA Superfan’ recruitment. The first round of ‘Fans Choice’ voting also ended with enthusiastic interest. The second round of voting begins on November 1. Starting with the first generation of 2024 MAMA Superfans, 'MAMA AWARDS' plans to further advance its fan voting system.