First K-pop Awards Ceremony at Iconic Japanese Venue Highlights Industry Significance

Courtesy of Mnet

The 2023 MAMA Awards will be held on Nov. 28-29 at Tokyo Dome, marking the first time a K-pop awards ceremony will take place at the renowned venue, accommodating up to 50,000 spectators.

Mnet, the show's organizer, underscored the significance of Tokyo Dome as a symbolic location in Japan, the world's second-largest music market. Japan's robust music industry, with total sales of $2.4 billion in 2022, positions it just after the U.S., according to the International Trade Administration. The country's significant import of K-pop albums, amounting to $48.52 million in the first half of the year, further solidifies K-pop's stronghold in the Japanese market. 

▲ Courtesy of Mnet

Mnet's General Manager Park Chan-uk emphasized the stature of Tokyo Dome, one of the three major domes in Japan, and mentioned plans to showcase large-scale performances to match the grand venue. While previous statements hinted at taking MAMA to the U.S., Lee Sun-hyung, the head of the convention business strategy and planning team at Mnet, revealed that plans are still under consideration, emphasizing the event's adaptability to regions with a demand for K-pop.

The star-studded lineup for the MAMA Awards includes SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), (G)I-DLE, LE SSERAFIM, ENHYPEN, RIIZE, BOYNEXTDOOR, and Yoshiki, the leader of X Japan. Yoshiki will collaborate with a Korean artist to perform "Endless Rain" (1989).

This year's MAMA will feature four stages: Theme, Super, Mega, and Wonder. The Theme stage includes joint performances, the Super section invites artists known for inventive concepts, the Mega part highlights large-scale shows, and the Wonder stage brings together K-pop and global musicians.

Hosted by singer Jeon So-mi and actor Park Bo-gum, Jeon So-mi hinted at her role in the Mega section, where she will command the stage with a tecktonik dance and aims to successfully deliver the MAMA's message and value as a host.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com