The second night of the 2025 MAMA Awards proceeded Saturday evening at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium under a cloud of grief, as the K-pop industry united to honor victims of a devastating fire that recently struck the city. The ceremony took on a markedly different tone from typical award shows, with celebrities and attendees choosing black attire and muted colors as a sign of respect for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Host Kim Hye-soo opened the evening with heartfelt words that set the somber mood for the night. "My heart grew heavy after hearing the tragic news," she told the audience. "I sincerely offer condolences to everyone affected by this sudden accident and to those who lost loved ones. I earnestly hope that some miracles still remain for us." Her opening remarks reflected the industry's commitment to showing solidarity with Hong Kong residents during this difficult time.
Throughout the evening, several prominent figures expressed their support for the affected community. Presenter Yim Si-wan extended his sympathy to the bereaved families, while award winner G-Dragon made a public pledge to support Hong Kong residents through his artistic work. The BIGBANG leader had already demonstrated his commitment by donating HK$1 million (approximately $128,452) to relief efforts for fire victims.
Despite the somber atmosphere, the ceremony featured a highly anticipated live-action recreation of scenes from Netflix's popular animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." Three members of the rising girl group Babymonster - Pharita, Ahyeon, and Rora - took the stage as the fictional trio Huntr/x from the animated series. Their performance included renditions of "What It Sounds Like" and "Golden," both tracks from the film's original soundtrack.
The crossover performance was introduced by actor Ahn Hyo-seop, who provides the voice for the lead character Jin-woo in the Netflix production. Ahn delivered an inspiring message that bridged the gap between the animated world and reality: "Remember this voice? You gave me soul back... May the music guide us into a better tomorrow." His words resonated with the audience as the ceremony sought to balance entertainment with remembrance.
However, the tragic circumstances forced organizers to make significant changes to their planned programming. A scheduled performance featuring the fictional idol group Saja Boys from "KPop Demon Hunters" was canceled due to concerns about its appropriateness. The performance would have featured a "grim reaper" concept involving members from popular boy groups Boynextdoor, Riize, TWS, and Zerobaseone, but organizers deemed the dark theme unsuitable given the recent loss of life in Hong Kong.
KOZ Entertainment, the agency representing Boynextdoor, officially confirmed the cancellation through a social media statement. The agency cited "the scaled-down operation" of the ceremony as the reason for the change, reflecting the event's modified approach in light of recent events. The decision demonstrated the industry's sensitivity to the timing and appropriateness of entertainment content during times of tragedy.
The 2025 MAMA Awards' second night ultimately served as both a celebration of K-pop achievements and a moment of collective mourning and support for Hong Kong. The ceremony's ability to proceed while maintaining respect for victims showcased the global K-pop community's maturity and compassion in the face of real-world tragedy.
