G-Dragon, the legendary frontman of K-pop group BIGBANG, was crowned Artist of the Year at the 2025 MAMA Awards on Saturday night. The ceremony took place at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, but the atmosphere was notably subdued following a tragic apartment fire that claimed more than 100 lives earlier in the week. Despite the somber mood, G-Dragon's victory marked a significant milestone in his career comeback.
The 36-year-old artist received the prestigious award from Hong Kong-born Chinese actor Chow Yun-Fat during the second night of the two-day ceremony. In his acceptance speech, G-Dragon expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans and reflected on his recent return to the music scene. "Thank you. I made my comeback through MAMA last year, and this year's activities feel different from any other year," he said while holding the award. "I'm so grateful to VIPs and all the fans. I love you all."
The BIGBANG leader also made a special reference to his group's upcoming milestone anniversary. "Next year marks our group's 20th anniversary, and I'll come hang out and party with my friends so I won't be lonely. See you next year," he said, using the affectionate term "VIPs" for BIGBANG's dedicated fanbase. This announcement has sparked excitement among fans who have been eagerly awaiting news about potential group activities.
The ceremony honored several other major artists across various categories throughout the weekend. BLACKPINK's Rosé took home Song of the Year for her viral hit "APT.," while Stray Kids earned Album of the Year recognition for their successful release "Karma." Both artists delivered emotional acceptance speeches, thanking their supporters for their continued loyalty. Enhypen secured the Fans' Choice of the Year award, and two rookie groups, Cortis and Hearts2Hearts, were recognized with Best New Artist honors.
Out of respect for the Hong Kong fire victims, the entire awards ceremony adopted a more restrained tone than usual. Attendees dressed in black or muted colors, and organizers made the decision to scale back certain parts of the program. Actor Kim Hye-soo, who hosted Saturday's ceremony, opened the event with a message of condolence for those affected by the tragedy. Several presenters, including actor Yim Si-wan, also expressed hopes for healing and recovery in Hong Kong.
G-Dragon demonstrated his commitment to helping the community by donating HK$1 million (approximately $128,452) to relief efforts for the fire victims. During his time at the ceremony, he pledged his continued support "through art," showing how entertainment figures can use their platform for meaningful causes. His generous contribution was part of a broader effort by the K-pop industry to support those affected by the disaster.
One of the evening's most anticipated segments was a live-action recreation of scenes from Netflix's popular animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." Three members of the girl group Babymonster - Pharita, Ahyeon, and Rora - took the stage as the in-film trio Huntr/x, performing the songs "What It Sounds Like" and "Golden." The performance followed a narrated introduction by actor Ahn Hyo-seop, who provided the voice for the lead character Jin-woo in the animated series.
Ahn Hyo-seop delivered an inspiring message during his appearance, telling the audience: "Remember this voice? You gave me my soul back... May the music guide us into a better tomorrow." However, not all planned performances moved forward as originally scheduled. A segment featuring the in-film idol group Saja Boys was canceled due to concerns that its "grim reaper" concept would be inappropriate given the recent tragedy. This performance was set to include members from popular groups Boynextdoor, Riize, TWS, and Zerobaseone.
The 2025 MAMA Awards successfully balanced celebration with respect, honoring achievements in K-pop while acknowledging the serious events affecting the host city. The ceremony drew global attention both for its artistic presentations and its thoughtful response to the Hong Kong community's needs. G-Dragon's victory caps off a remarkable year of comeback activities and sets the stage for BIGBANG's highly anticipated 20th anniversary celebrations in the coming year.
