A heated debate has erupted online regarding whether the 2025 MAMA Awards should proceed as scheduled in Hong Kong this Friday and Saturday, following a devastating apartment fire that has left the city in mourning. The catastrophic blaze at a residential complex in Tai Po District killed 65 people and left 279 others missing as of Thursday afternoon, prompting the city's highest fire alarm level and forcing the suspension of major public activities, including preparations for the upcoming Legislative Council election.
The disaster has cast a dark shadow over what was intended to be one of Asia's biggest music events. The awards show, organized by South Korea's CJ ENM and set to take place at the newly constructed Kai Tak Stadium approximately 20 kilometers from the fire site, has sharply divided public opinion online. Many critics argue that hosting a large-scale international music festival during such a time of profound grief would be deeply insensitive and could trigger significant backlash.
"The city has just experienced such a tragedy, and now there's going to be a group of foreigners partying and celebrating. The whole situation feels deeply somber," one Hong Kong user commented on the social media platform Threads. "I don't want to see entertainment take priority over everything else so quickly." Another user expressed similar sentiments, writing, "If CJ ENM decides to cancel the event now, I'd completely understand. First and foremost, I'm a Hong Konger – being a K-pop fan comes second."
Several online commentators have described proceeding with the event as unethical given the massive scale of the tragedy. The 2025 MAMA Awards receives funding from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, a government-supported organization, and the ceremony is prominently featured on the board's official event listings. Hosting this high-profile international ceremony represents part of Hong Kong's broader strategic efforts to establish itself as Asia's premier mega-event destination.
However, supporters of continuing with the awards ceremony argue that canceling the event at such short notice would be completely impractical, pointing to the substantial financial losses that would affect organizers, artists, and fans who have already made extensive travel arrangements. "A massive international awards ceremony like this involves countless stakeholders, artists and an enormous amount of money. Besides, MAMA isn't just for Hong Kongers – people from all over the world are attending," one commenter wrote on Threads.
A devoted K-pop fan shared her personal frustration over the situation, revealing she had already spent 8,500 Hong Kong dollars ($1,092) on flights and accommodations specifically to attend the show. "I'm heartbroken about the tragedy, but who's going to cover my losses if it gets canceled?" she wrote. Other supporters emphasized the logistical nightmare that cancellation would create, with one commenter noting, "Canceling now is simply not practical – there's no time for alternative arrangements. The organizers would face massive compensation claims, not to mention production costs, artist schedules and staff salaries. The fire wasn't their fault, after all."
In response to the growing controversy, some internet users have proposed compromise solutions, urging audience members to dress in black and white as a sign of respect for those who were injured or lost their lives in the tragic incident. Additionally, fans have called on performing groups to avoid songs with potentially sensitive meanings related to fire or death, specifically mentioning tracks like I-DLE's "Good Thing," MEOVV's "Burning Up," and a special collaborative performance themed around "Saja Boys" from "K-Pop Demon Hunters."
Faced with mounting public debate and criticism, CJ ENM issued an official statement Thursday evening confirming that the 2025 MAMA Awards will proceed as originally planned. In their carefully worded statement, the organizers expressed their deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the fire and extended heartfelt sympathy to bereaved families and residents who continue to grapple with fear and disruption following the devastating incident.
The awards organizers announced they will incorporate a "Support Hong Kong" message throughout the ceremony and create a dedicated moment of remembrance to collectively share in the city's grief. They also revealed plans to make a substantial donation to support those affected by the fire. Despite the controversy surrounding their decision to proceed, the company emphasized that the show is being completely reshaped into what they described as "a more restrained and thoughtful ceremony."
Citing the healing and unifying power of music, the organizers explained that both the stage design and program flow are being significantly adjusted to emphasize comfort and hope rather than spectacle and celebration. "We hope the music can offer even a small measure of solace and courage," the organizers stated, adding that their entire team will approach all aspects of the event with complete responsibility as final preparations continue. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between commercial entertainment commitments and sensitivity to local tragedies in an increasingly globalized entertainment industry.
