The 2025 MAMA Awards is set to open in Hong Kong on Friday, focusing on mourning the victims of a deadly apartment fire and donating to relief efforts. CJ ENM has canceled the red carpet event in line with the local atmosphere of mourning and reworked the show to emphasize comfort and hope. The event marks the awards' return to the city after seven years.
Amid a large-scale fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court apartment complex that started on Wednesday, killing at least 55 people and leaving about 280 unaccounted for, CJ ENM announced it will proceed with the 2025 MAMA Awards as scheduled. "We are carefully preparing the overall stage setup and proceedings to ensure the performance conveys comfort and hope rather than merely dazzling production," the company said. "We will make the 2025 MAMA Awards an event that demonstrates responsibility and does its utmost until the very end."
The event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, starting at 7:30 p.m. Korean time. The red carpet event has been canceled, but the main ceremony will be broadcast live as planned, with some special effects and staging altered. Local media reported that fireworks are also expected to be canceled.
South Korea's pop music community has stepped up with donations for rescue efforts and victims. SM Entertainment pledged 1 million Hong Kong dollars (US$128,000) to the Hong Kong Red Cross for firefighting, rescue, and daily support. Girl group aespa announced a contribution of 500,000 Hong Kong dollars, stating on their official Weibo account, "We express our deepest sorrow regarding this heartbreaking news. We hope this small contribution can help, and we pray for everyone's safety." Boy band Riize also committed 250,000 Hong Kong dollars to support rescue operations and follow-up assistance.
This year's lineup features top K-pop acts, including Babymonster, Enhypen, Hearts2Hearts, TWS, Stray Kids, Zerobaseone, and G-Dragon. The MAMA Awards, one of K-pop's biggest year-end music ceremonies, marks its return to Hong Kong for the first time in seven years.
