Tokyo Dome to Host K-pop Extravaganza with Global Ambitions

Courtesy of Mnet

The Mnet Asian Music Awards (Mama Awards), organized by CJ ENM, is set to take place in Japan for the second consecutive year, scheduled for Nov. 28-29 at the Tokyo Dome, the country's top concert venue. The event aims to cater to global aspirations, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated.

In the lead-up to the festival, CJ ENM held a media day gathering in Seoul on Wednesday, featuring producers and this year's host, Jeon Somi. Park Chan-uk, the general manager of CJ ENM's music arm Mnet, highlighted the significance of Tokyo Dome as a coveted stage for global artists, marking the first time Mama will be hosted there as a K-pop festival.

Last year's venue was Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. Despite the event's ambition to go more global, this year's location in Japan has been met with some disappointment. 

▲ Courtesy of Mnet

CJ ENM's Live Entertainment Content Planning Manager Lee Sun-hyung, when questioned about the previously stated plan to hold the Mama Awards in the US within three years, provided a vague response, stating that they see potential for Mama to happen globally, including in the US, and will announce plans when they become more attainable.

This year's Mama Awards, themed "One I Born," emphasizes the value of individuality and diversity, particularly targeting Generation Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, who are significant consumers of K-pop. The festival will feature four stages: Theme, Super, Mega, and Wonder.

Jeon Somi, a prominent Gen Z K-pop artist, will host the first day and perform on the Mega stage under the title "It's Mi," showcasing a Tecktonik performance with a large group. Actor Park Bo-gum will host the second day.

The Theme stage will bring together young musicians from various genres, including members from K-pop groups Le Sserafim, Zerobaseone, Treasure, and solo rapper Lee Young-ji.

The Super stage will feature a collaboration of female artists, centered on the theme of "reinterpretation of goddesses," with participants such as Huh Yun-jin of Le Sserafim, Xiaoting of Kep1er, and Minnie of (G)I-dle.

Japanese rocker Yoshiki of X-Japan is announced as this year's foreign artist, performing on the Wonder stage alongside several K-pop artists.

The third performers lineup includes Dynamic Duo, Lee Young-ji, dancer Monika, and boy bands Treasure and Just B, adding to the list of artists like Ateez, NiziU, Riize, TVXQ, xikers, Zerobaseone, &Team, Boynextdoor, El7z Up, Enhypen, (G)I-dle, Kep1er, Le Sserafim, Seventeen, and Tomorrow X Together.

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