MAMA Reveals Significant Criteria Change for ‘Daesang’ Winner — Reasons Behind CARATs’ Anger Explained

Following a surprising shift in criteria for the “Album of the Year”(Daesang) category, fans of SEVENTEEN, known as CARATs, are expressing their outrage and claiming that the awards show is attempting to undermine the popular K-pop group.

On October 10, CJ ENM, the organization behind the MAMA Awards—one of the largest award ceremonies in Asia—revealed plans to revise their judging approach, particularly for the top prizes (Daesangs).

For the “Album of the Year,”the selection process will no longer focus solely on which group achieves the highest sales figures. This year, the awards will also factor in additional attributes such as overall artistry, visual presentation, and the album’s impact—including aspects from concept development to artwork.

SEVENTEEN 'Right Here' World Tour Schedule Disappoints CARATs: 'This Is Such Poor Planning' — (Photo : Twitter: @pledis_17)

MAMA Judging Criteria Changed, the Album of the Year award, not limited to sales volume.. comprehensive evaluation + it plans to establish a Best Choreography award. MAMA AWARDS will upgrade its screening method based on differentiated perspectives and know-how. In the case of… pic.twitter.com/8dxtNhmvGa

— KOREAN SALES (@koreansales_twt) October 9, 2024

Nonetheless, CARATs are dismayed by this unexpected update, particularly with the ceremony fast approaching in a month’s time.

Early assessments indicate that SEVENTEEN stands out as the frontrunner for this honor.

Previously, 80% of the award’s determination relied on album sales, and SEVENTEEN has already positioned itself favorably with their release “Seventeenth Heaven,”which has achieved 5.7 million copies sold.

MAMA has been shady towards Seventeen for the past 5 years, and it’s VERY obvious that they do not want SVT to win ALOTY twice in a row. It’s also very disgusting of them to suddenly change the criteria for the win AFTER the tracking period is over. Also…👇 https://t.co/FOP2vWxt7y pic.twitter.com/G57e75x7fs

— Blu ★ Diamond¹⁷ (@13_Gems_17) October 10, 2024

I’m crying now and I hate it because I really want to be positive and have the positive fighting spirit but so much keeps happening now the blatant MAMA sabotage included. Seventeen deserves better. A better fandom, better attitudes from award shows, a better company.

— 🐯 shupashy mari¹⁷ got noticed by scoups 🔥 (@meetme_at17PM) October 10, 2024

knetz on theqoo react to mnet changes criteria lol pic.twitter.com/GPdoB30l31

— J 🧡 (@ccjosh8) October 10, 2024

While CARATs remain hopeful that the group can still secure the win despite the new emphasis on quality, the fandom’s trust in the validity of this decision is wavering.

MAMA has a history of being labeled a “cooking show,”a colloquial term among K-pop fans to describe ceremonies where winners are selected based on favoritism rather than merit.

Additionally, the MAMA Awards will introduce a new category this year for “Best Choreography,”with nominees expected to be announced on October 14th. The main awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on November 22nd and 23rd.

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