G-Dragon provides his acceptance speech after successful “Artist of the 12 months” award on the 2025 MAMA Awards held in Hong Kong, Saturday. Courtesy of CJ ENM
G-Dragon was named Artist of the 12 months on the 2025 MAMA Awards on Saturday, delivering a heartfelt message because the ceremony unfolded in a restrained tone following a lethal residence hearth in Hong Kong.
The BIGBANG frontman accepted the night time’s high honor at Kai Tak Stadium, reflecting on his yr and thanking followers for his or her assist.
“Thanks. I made my comeback by MAMA final yr, and this yr’s actions really feel totally different from some other yr,” he mentioned after receiving the honour from Hong Kong-born Chinese language actor Chow Yun-Fats. “I am so grateful to VIPs and all of the followers. I like you all. Subsequent yr marks our group’s twentieth anniversary, and I am going to come hang around and occasion with my buddies so I will not be lonely. See you subsequent yr,” he mentioned, referring to the title of BIGBANG’s fandom.
The award presentation got here in the course of the second night time of the two-day ceremony, held below subdued situations because the Ok-pop business paid tribute to victims of a high-rise hearth that killed greater than 100 folks earlier within the week.
Attendees wearing black or muted colours, and organizers scaled again elements of this system to replicate the somber temper.
Different main prizes have been introduced throughout Friday and Saturday.
Rose acquired Track of the 12 months for “APT.,” whereas Stray Youngsters received Album of the 12 months with “Karma,” providing emotional due to followers onstage. Enhypen took residence the Followers’ Alternative of the 12 months award, and rookie teams Cortis and Hearts2Hearts earned Greatest New Artist honors.
Actor Kim Hye-soo opened Saturday’s ceremony with a message of condolence, and a number of other presenters, together with actor Yim Si-wan, expressed hopes for therapeutic in Hong Kong. G-Dragon, who earlier donated HK$1 million ($128,452) to reduction efforts, pledged his continued assist “by artwork.”
The ceremony drew international consideration with a live-action recreation of scenes from Netflix’s hit animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Babymonster members Pharita, Ahyeon and Rora took the stage because the in-film trio Huntr/x, performing “What It Sounds Like” and “Golden”, following a narrated introduction by actor Ahn Hyo-seop, the voice of lead character Jin-woo.
Ahn delivered a message of hope, saying: “Keep in mind this voice? You gave me my soul again … Might the music information us into a greater tomorrow.”
Nevertheless, a deliberate efficiency by one other in-film idol group, Saja Boys, was canceled amid considerations that its “grim reaper” idea was inappropriate following the town’s lethal catastrophe. The phase was to characteristic members of Boynextdoor, Riize, TWS, and Zerobaseone.
