2024 MAMA Awards Controversy: Allegations of Bias in DAESANG Awards Selection

2024 MAMA Awards Sparks Controversy Over Song Of The Year Selection

The 2024 MAMA Awards, a highlight in the K-pop calendar, has become embroiled in controversy following allegations of favoritism in the Song Of The Year category. This prestigious annual event drew significant attention, particularly for its exceptional lineup of nominees and awards.

Key Awards at the 2024 Ceremony

This year’s MAMA ceremony presented four major awards, known as daesangs: Album Of The Year, Artist Of The Year, Fans’ Choice Of The Year, and the highly sought-after Song Of The Year. Aespa took home the coveted title for their hit “Supernova,”a track that achieved remarkable chart success and quickly became a viral sensation.

Fan Outrage and Accusations

Despite aespa’s achievement, the award decision has led to significant backlash from fans of other K-pop groups. Many took issue not with aespa’s win, but with the MAMA’s nomination process.

The controversy erupted following the announcement of nominees for Song Of The Year, which included:

Aespa – Supernova
BIBI – Bam Yang Gang
IU – Love Wins All
ILLIT – Magnetic
NewJeans – How Sweet

Vocal fans from the LE SSERAFIM community expressed disappointment over the omission of their song “Perfect Night,”which not only met the eligibility criteria but also enjoyed substantial international popularity.

The Judging Criteria Under Scrutiny

MAMA employed a scoring system to determine the winner, comprising 40% from a panel of judges and 60% sourced from streaming and download figures—40% domestic and 20% global. Many fans believed that “Perfect Night,”given its worldwide reception, deserved a spot among the nominees or even victory.

Further critique emerged from supporters of the group ILLIT, who claimed that if “Perfect Night”was to be disqualified, then their entry “Magnetic”should have been rightfully awarded the prize. Comparative analyses circulating on social media suggested that ILLIT’s metrics eclipsed those of “Supernova.”

This situation underscores the ongoing dialogue surrounding fairness and transparency in award selections within the K-pop industry, highlighting the passionate dedication of fans and the complexities of the music award system.

Source: KrB

Source & Images