The ‘2024 Mama Awards’ opened with the ‘Mama Awards US’ at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, USA at 12 noon on the 22nd (Korean time). The awards ceremony was broadcast live on the Mnet channel from noon to 2 p.m. on the 22nd.
Park Bo-gum, who first appeared as a host, said, “The place where the ‘2024 Mama Awards US’ is held is the Dolby Theater in LA, famous for being the place where the Academy Awards are held.” He added, “The place that introduced K-movies to the world has been saturated with K-pop fever, the first step in the United States.” “It’s meaningful and an honor to be with you,” he said.
On this day, Tours achieved two awards with the male rookie award, ‘Best New Male Artist’ and ‘Best Dance Performance Male’. Tours’ Shinyu, who won the Male Rookie of the Year trophy, said, “Thank you for giving me this valuable award, thank the fans,” and “Thank you to the staff who work hard with me.”
Rise Shotaro, who received the ‘Favorite Global Performance Male’ award, said, “This is my second time participating in MAMA, and I am honored to receive such a wonderful award.” He added, “Many things have happened this year, and we are grateful to Breeze for believing in us and following us. “Hada, we will continue to be a shameless rise with this member, so please continue to support us.”
Jihoon of Tours, who returned to the stage after winning the ‘Best Dance Performance Mail’ award, said, “I wanted to receive the Best Performance award, and I am grateful that I was able to receive it.” He added, “I was practicing with the members and thinking about how to become a good team, and I am happy that the time was not wasted. “He expressed his feelings.
Aylet Yoona, who won the ‘Best New Female Artist’ trophy, said with tears in her eyes, “It is an honor to be able to show a performance in ‘Mama’, which I have dreamed of since I was a trainee. Thank you for giving me the valuable new female artist award.” blushed. Mocha also shed tears, saying, “I will shine brightly for a long time next to Glit (fandom name),” and “I will become an Aylit that can show our own stage.”
Park Jin-young, who received the ‘Inspiring Achievement’ award, showed off his collaboration with singer Anderson Pack on a joint stage. Park Jin-young, who performed ‘Don’t Leave Me’, ‘She Was Pretty’, ‘Honey’, ‘Who’s Your Mother’, and the new song ‘Easy Lover’, said, “I want to give you strength and glory, so I’m grateful for the award.” He said, “JYP. “My colleagues, 2PM, Day6, TWICE and Stray Kids who are still working hard, you are the best to me.”
Meanwhile, this year’s awards ceremony, which started as the Mnet-KMTV Music Video Festival in 1999 and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, will be held in LA on the afternoon of the 22nd and at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan on the 23rd. This year’s ‘Mama Awards’ became the first K-pop awards ceremony to enter the United States.
– What role do international fanbases play in the success of K-Pop artists during events like the Mama Awards?
Title: Unpacking the Impact of the 2024 Mama Awards with K-Pop Expert Dr. Emily Kwon
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kwon! The 2024 Mama Awards recently took place in Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone in the K-Pop industry. What were some of your first impressions of this year’s event?
Dr. Emily Kwon: Thank you for having me! The 2024 Mama Awards, held at the iconic Dolby Theater, was a spectacular showcase of K-Pop’s growing influence in the U.S. The choice of venue speaks volumes, highlighting how far K-Pop has come, akin to the paths forged by K-movies in Hollywood. I found it heartening to see a blend of traditional award ceremony pomp with the electrifying energy of K-Pop.
Editor: Absolutely! Park Bo-gum’s opening remarks emphasized the significance of this venue. How do you think this recognition at a prestigious location like the Dolby Theater affects the perception of K-Pop globally?
Dr. Kwon: Hosting the awards there reinforces the narrative that K-Pop is not just a niche genre—it’s a global phenomenon. This kind of exposure, especially in a highly respected venue, helps break down cultural barriers and invites a broader audience to appreciate what K-Pop has to offer. It’s a key moment for artists to showcase their talents to fans and industry leaders in the West.
Editor: Tours had a remarkable night, winning multiple awards. What do you believe these accolades mean for emerging artists in the K-Pop scene?
Dr. Kwon: Winning awards like ’Best New Male Artist’ and ‘Best Dance Performance Male’ is a huge boost for Tours. It symbolizes industry recognition and validates their hard work. For emerging artists, accolades can lead to greater visibility, more opportunities, and, crucially, fan support. These moments can propel a rookie group into stardom, inspiring countless others to pursue their passion in the industry.
Editor: The spirit of gratitude from artists like Shinyu and Shotaro was palpable during the ceremony. In what ways do you think this authenticity resonates with fans?
Dr. Kwon: Authenticity is the cornerstone of K-Pop culture. When artists express their gratitude towards fans and their teams, it fosters a sense of community. Fans become emotionally invested in the artists’ journeys. The sincerity shown during award speeches makes the connection stronger, as supporters feel recognized and appreciated as part of the success story.
Editor: We also noticed the clear global engagement from the audience, especially with awards like ‘Favorite Global Performance Male’. How does international fanbase involvement shape the future of K-Pop?
Dr. Kwon: The global fanbase is instrumental in K-Pop’s continued expansion. Their participation in voting and support systems leads to greater representation on platforms like the Mama Awards. As K-Pop continues to diversify and cater to international tastes, we can expect more hybrid collaborations and broader genres, thus reshaping the future of the industry as a whole.
Editor: As we wrap up, what predictions do you have for the trajectory of K-Pop in the next few years, especially in light of events like the Mama Awards?
Dr. Kwon: I foresee K-Pop further embedding itself within the global music landscape. Expect more collaboration between K-Pop artists and Western musicians, and perhaps even more award shows in the U.S. specifically tailored for K-Pop. The industry is ripe with potential, and the momentum is only building. These award ceremonies will likely become even more crucial platforms for cultural exchange and recognition.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kwon, for your insightful analysis! It’s clear that events like the Mama Awards play a vital role in the evolution of K-Pop and its global reach.
Dr. Kwon: Thank you! I’m excited to see how the industry continues to evolve and grow.