In Focus: MAMA Awards fuel HK tourism with unprecedented two-night show

The MAMA AWARDS is set to make a triumphant return to Hong Kong in 2025, marking its first appearance in the city in seven years with an unprecedented two-day extravaganza that promises to be the largest in its history.

A new venue, a new era

Scheduled for November 28 to 29 at the Kai Tak Stadium, this will mark the first time the ceremony has been held for two consecutive days in Hong Kong.

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of  CJ ENM's music cable channel Mnet, this year’s ceremony will see the largest gathering of K-pop fans in its history.

"The 2018 Hong Kong hosting had a capacity of 10,000 seats," said 2025 MAMA Awards Director Park Chan Wook at a press conference on Wednesday (Nov 12). "This year, the scale will expand to over 70,000 attendees across the two days—a seven-fold increase."

As an accessible location for global K-pop fans, sources suggest that the two-day event is set to attract overnight visitors to witness the first Korean awards ceremony hosted at the newly introduced Kai Tak Stadium. 

Notably, the 2025 MAMA Awards is one of the projects funded by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund (Mega ACE Fund), which has previously supported major events including ComplexCon, Art Central, and Art Basel Hong Kong.

Star-studded lineup and special collaborations

Known for its dazzling lineup, the event will present an impressive roster of global celebrities and top K-pop representatives.

Leading the star power are Malaysian-born actress Michelle Yeoh -- the first Asian Oscar-winning actress -- and also Chow Yun-fat, who will serve as global presenters.

"I'm deeply honored to participate in the first K-pop awards ceremony held at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium," Yeoh stated. "While I can't claim all credit goes to MAMA Awards, I believe it has contributed significantly to K-pop's current cultural standing,” she added.

The hosting duties will be shared by Park Bo Gum on the first day and actress Kim Hye Soo on the second. 

With “unparalleled collaborative stages” as one of the themes, Park is expected to deliver a special performance with dance team Bamjeop, while Kim will collaborate with Felix from Stray Kids in a surprise stage collaboration.

Adding local flavor to the international event, Hong Kong's local boy band Mirror will kick off the ceremonies, representing the city's vibrant pop culture scene as they welcome the global K-pop celebration.

In a major production highlight, attendees can look forward to a live-action adaptation of the hit animated series "KPOP Demon Hunters." The blend of animation and reality will feature K-pop artists portraying the fictional girl group HUNTR/X and boy band Saja Boys, with casting details still under wraps.

Additional special stages will feature ZEROBASEONE's leader Seong Han Bin performing alongside Japanese dancer Kyoka.

The first day will see a lineup of artists that includes BABYMONSTER, ENHYPEN, IVE, MEOVV, i-dle, TREASURE, Super Junior, and Mirror. Meanwhile, the second day is set to feature beloved idols like G-Dragon, ALLDAY PROJECT, aespa, CORTIS, and Stray Kids.

Meanwhile, the presenter lineup includes Go Yoon Jung, Roh Yoon Seo, Ahn Eun Jin, Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Kwang Soo, Jang Do Yeon, Jo Sae Ho, Ju Ji Hoon, Cha Joo Young, and Hyeri.

To ensure that fans around the world can partake in the excitement, the 2025 MAMA Awards will be streamed live across various platforms in over 200 countries, creating a unified celebration of K-pop culture.

Since its launch in 1999, the MAMA Awards have grown into one of the largest ceremonies in the K-pop landscape, often called the "Asian Grammys." 

The awards were held in Hong Kong for six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018, featuring celebrity presenters including Chow Yun-fat and Andy Lau Tak-wah, along with performances by local stars such as Aaron Kwok Fu-shing and Eason Chan Yick-shun. 

The last ceremony in the city took place in 2018, showcasing unforgettable performances from popular groups like BTS, Wanna One, iKon, and TWICE, leaving lasting memories for fans.