MAMA Aims to be the “Korean Grammys,” Netizens Highlight Ongoing Injustices

The Mnet Asian Music Awards 2024 (MAMA) are fast approaching. This year’s prestigious ceremony will commence at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA, before relocating to Osaka, Japan, for the following two days.

It is significant that the awards are debuting in the United States, generating a wave of excitement and surprise among fans who are eager to see the exhilarating experiences this event promises. Historically, MAMA has been hosted in several Asian cities, such as Singapore, Japan, and Vietnam.

This year’s theme, as stated by the organizers, is “Big Blur = WHAT IS REAL?” . Viewers can anticipate an array of surreal experiences and stunning performances that blend technology and artistic expression.

With MAMA’s inaugural event in the USA, the producers have reiterated their goal of becoming the “Korean Grammys,” aiming to cement a prestigious reputation in the music industry.

Despite the excitement, Mnet faces criticism from online users, primarily due to persistent issues surrounding fairness in the awards process. Many fans express concern about the voting system and the subsequent implications for award allocation.

For instance, during the voting phase, MAMA opted to shut down the voting platform to prevent fraudulent activities. However, the number of votes deleted varied significantly between artists, with some losing millions of votes. This inconsistency led to artists who initially led in votes plummeting down the rankings, while fans voiced their frustrations over the disappearance of their legitimate votes.

Additionally, MAMA introduced new award categories this year without providing clear guidelines or objectives, which has raised suspicions among netizens. Many believe that this is part of a behind-the-scenes deal between MAMA and entertainment agencies to boost their artists’ chances of winning more awards.

Furthermore, the rationale behind awarding winners is frequently questioned. For example, Park Jin Young received the “Best Male Artist” title in 2015, despite not outperforming his competitors, Yonghwa and Kyuhyun. In 2014, Sistar won “Best Female Group” against major girl groups like Girls’ Generation and 2NE1. MAMA 2023 stirred controversy by leaving ENHYPEN out of prominent nominations, and accusations of depriving TREASURE and EXO of their bonsang awards surfaced.

Year after year, MAMA releases statements promising to enhance equity in their voting and award processes, yet these commitments often go unfulfilled, leading to decreased public engagement. Ultimately, MAMA must focus on elevating the quality of their event to restore interest and trust.

Source: k14

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