Felix of Stray Kids attends ‘House Nowhere Seoul’ pre-opening photo wall event at IICOMBINED in Seongdong-gu on September 03, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by iMBC/Imazins via Getty Images)
ImaZins via Getty Images
The 2025 MAMA Awards are leaning into spectacle in a way only the biggest K-pop awards shows can with one-time-only performances and acclaimed artists at the peak of their careers during the show’s two nights later this month in Hong Kong.
For the MAMAs’ ambitious lineup centered around the theme “HEAR MY ROAR: UH-HEUNG” (with “uh-heung” referring to “the distinctly Korean spirit of fun and excitement that has captivated global audiences,” according to a press release), the production will honor some of the top and most influential talents from this past year in special stages.
The show’s first day on November 28, known as Chapter 1, will open with actor, singer and MAMA Awards host Park Bo Gum joined by K-pop boy bands TREASURE, BOYNEXTDOOR, CORTIS as well as the BUMSUP dance crew for a reworking of the traditional Korean song “Kwaejina Ching Ching,” reimagining the classic tune with the added punch of today’s idol stylings. Meanwhile, the specially themed Chapter 2 stage on November 29 pairs actress and MAMAs host Kim Hye Su with Felix of Stray Kids for a special opening performance, followed by ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han Bin joined by dancer Kyoka, a breakout star from the dance competition series World of Street Woman Fighter.
2025 was also the year of KPop Demon Hunters with the show announcing “a groundbreaking collaboration” where the ceremony is teaming up with the Netflix sensation “to bring the film’s climactic battle between Saja Boys and HUNTR/X from screen to stage.” Will we see current K-pop idols take on the roles of the animated groups? Will the likes of KDH soundtrack singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami as well as Kevin Woo and Danny Chung all take the stage together for the first time? Details should arrive in the coming days.
Additionally, Oscar winner and current Wicked star Michelle Yeoh has joined the 2025 MAMAs as a presenter, joining a lineup that includes KPop Demon Hunters voice actors Arden Cho and Ahn Hyo Seop, Squid Game stars Jo Yuri and Yim Siwan, Pachinko actor Noh Sanghyun, singer-actors Hyeri and Lee Junyoung, and many more.
Michelle Yeoh presenter at the 2025 MAMA Awards
Courtesy of CJ ENM
There are also artist-focused highlights that will be signature career moments: the newly formed rookie group created from Boys Planet II ALPHA DRIVE ONE will make its stage debut at the awards show. At the same time, veteran idol Super Junior will mark its 20th anniversary with a performance sure to honor the group’s two decades together.
Plus, Stray Kids plan to debut the first live performance of a new track from their upcoming album, DO IT, which drops on Friday, November 21. Alongside Felix’s special stage, the MAMAs are honoring SKZ’s massively successful 2025, which included multiple chart-topping albums and a record-breaking stadium world tour.
The MAMAs also add that several performances will include live bands, which should further help the ceremony stand out among other K-pop awards shows. Also, for global viewers watching from home, CJ ENM is expanding access with its Mnet Plus platform, offering a 4K livestream with enhanced camera angles.
The 2025 MAMA Awards take place at the Kai Tak Stadium, Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong from November 28-29. Check out all the performers and nominees here.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2025/11/12/mama-awards-2025-promise-surprises-with-kpop-demon-hunters-stray-kids–more/
