K-pop Megastars Triumph in Key Category Amidst Temporary Hiatus

Courtesy of BigHit Music

At the 2023 MAMA Awards' first night, held at Tokyo Dome, BTS secured the Samsung Galaxy Worldwide Icon of the Year, marking their sixth consecutive win in this category since 2018. The awards, a prominent annual year-end K-pop ceremony, presented this honor as part of the big four categories, including Artist, Song, and Album of the Year. The group, currently on pause from group activities to fulfill mandatory military duties, expressed gratitude through a video message. BTS assured their global fanbase, known as ARMY, that they will return in 2025 after completing military service. 

▲ Courtesy of BigHit MusicCJ ENM, the entertainment company organizing the MAMA Awards, disclosed that the first-night event, titled "Chapter 1," featured categories determined by global fan votes. Notable winners included 10 artists—Tomorrow X Together, BTS, Zerobaseone, Enhypen, Lim Young-woong, Ateez, NCT Dream, Stray Kids, Seventeen, and TWICE—jointly receiving the Worldwide Fans' Choice award.

TVXQ, celebrating its 20th anniversary, received the Inspiring Achievement award for their significant influence on the industry. The Favorite New Artist award, given to a rookie selling over 1 million copies in their debut year, was shared by Zerobaseone and Riize.

The awards ceremony, known as "Chapter 1," was streamed live on major online channels, including YouTube, with the second and final night, featuring performances by leading K-pop groups such as Seventeen, TREASURE, and Le Sserafim.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com