2023.12.10
"Report on Attending the 2023 MAMA AWARDS Day 1!!"
The "MAMA AWARDS," one of the largest music award ceremonies in KPOP, was held this year at Tokyo Dome on November 28 and 29. With my favorite group, Kep1er, performing, I couldn't resist and attended Day 1 (28th) where Kep1er was featured.
So, let’s report on my first live experience of MAMA (Day 1)!!
The massive monitor in the venue started playing VCR on time, and you could feel the excitement building in the crowd
The event started at 6 PM, but I arrived by 5 PM, seated and anxiously waiting while munching on a Tokyo Dome burger.
However, perhaps due to the food, I unexpectedly started feeling sleepy, but thanks to chatting with my fellow Kep1ian friends, I managed to pull myself together, and before I knew it, it was 6 PM.
On time, the massive monitor in the venue began playing VCR, and you could feel the excitement in the crowd rising.
Then, appearing at the end of the VCR was the South Korean female solo rapper, Lee Young-ji.
She energized the venue with her powerful rap.
After Lee Young-ji's stage, a blonde girl sitting at a table appeared.
As the crowd buzzed with "Who? Who?", the girl on the monitor turned out to be none other than LE SSERAFIM's Eunchae!!
The unexpected appearance of Eunchae, which had not been announced beforehand, sent the crowd's excitement skyrocketing.
During Eunchae's solo performance, the venue was buzzing the entire time.
Next up was a handsome guy playing the violin.
Again, the crowd was left wondering "Who? Who?" and on the monitor appeared ZEROBASEONE's Zhang Hao!!
With a surprise appearance like Eunchae's, the cheers and screams were even louder, and I thought the Tokyo Dome might just explode.
Moreover, Zhang Hao was performing the signal song "Here I Am" from the audition program "BOYS PLANET," where ZEROBASEONE was born!
It was impossible not to get hyped up at this point.
After Zhang Hao's stage, the rap trio from TREASURE, Hyunseok, Yoshi, and Haruto, made their appearance.
Another surprise appearance kept the crowd at an all-time high.
The three from TREASURE went down to the arena with the audience and showcased some top-notch fan service by high-fiving the fans in the front row.
Finally, Lee Young-ji, Eunchae, Zhang Hao, and TREASURE gathered on stage to perform together, brilliantly closing the opening of the 2023 MAMA AWARDS.
This alone was enough to convince anyone of this year's MAMA's success.
Day 1 MC Jeong Somi appears and announces the opening of MAMA.
The first presenter was called up to announce the winner of the Worldwide Fans’ Choice award. The Worldwide Fans’ Choice is an award given to the top 10 groups selected through online voting in advance.
Day 1 mainly featured the announcement of this Worldwide Fans’ Choice. The first names called were TOMORROW X TOGETHER and BTS. TOMORROW X TOGETHER delivered their acceptance speech in Korean, Japanese, and English, showcasing their status as a global idol.
The first performance of the main event was by JUST B. Honestly, I wasn't very familiar with the group, but towards the end of their performance, one of the members took off his jacket, revealing a muscular upper body, which drew cheers from all around.
After JUST B's performance, the announcement of Favorite New Artist was made. This award was also received by Kep1er last year, and personally, it holds a deep meaning for me. The first winner of this year is RIIZE. Next, the announcement for Favorite Asian Male Group was made, and the Japanese group INI won the award.
Next, presenter Fan Minyoung was called up, and a VCR celebrating the 20th anniversary of TVXQ's debut was played, leading to the announcement of the Inspiring Achievement award. The recipient, of course, is TVXQ.
The Japanese comments from the winners were so fluent that it made me laugh.
The next performing artist is &TEAM.
Starting with K-kun's solo dance, the venue was filled with excitement. After all, K-kun not only dances well but also has a strong presence.
Next, the announcement for the third group in the Worldwide Fans’ Choice category was made. ZEROBASEONE was called, achieving their second win as newcomers.
Next announced was the Galaxy Neo Flip Artist award. The recipient is TREASURE.
They seemed surprised, and their high-energy comments were quite endearing.
Then, the VCR for the next performing artist starts playing. It's Kep1er!
As the VCR ends, Shaoting appears riding a motorcycle. When he takes off his sunglasses, his beautiful face is shown up close on the monitor, causing a huge cheer and everyone in the venue to stand up. Honestly, I was worried that during Kep1er's performance, only Kep1ians would stand up, but that concern was unfounded.
The performance song is their latest single in Japan, "Grand Prix."
A luxurious stage adorned with many backup dancers and illuminated flags.
During the interlude, the music stops momentarily, and several motorcycle riders appear on stage, surrounding Kep1er.
Just when it seems Kep1er is in trouble with the villains, Shaoting, Bahie, and Yongun perform a movie-like action sequence to defeat the villains! The excitement in the venue was overwhelming, and I felt proud to be a Kep1ian.
That's right! Kep1er can do anything!
After the action part, they captivated the audience with a powerful dance break. Following that, they sang the big chorus, and the performance came to an end. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Kep1er showed the most excitement so far. Just being able to see them perform at Tokyo Dome was overwhelming, and I was truly proud of Kep1er for captivating not just their fans but also others (for the second time).
After a brief 10-minute break, YOSHIKI appears.
YOSHIKI begins to play "ENDLESS RAIN" on the piano.
As I was excited to see who would sing, it turned out to be Taehyun and Huening Kai from TOMORROW X TOGETHER! I was moved by their unexpected level of skill.
In the middle, there was also a rap part by Jaehyun from BOYNEXTDOOR, showcasing a different arrangement from the original song.
And the biggest surprise was Anton from RIIZE's cello performance! The interlude featured a solo dance part by Han Yujin from ZEROBASEONE. After that, the lyrics of "ENDLESS RAIN" were displayed on the venue's monitors, creating an emotional moment as the entire Tokyo Dome sang along.
Hyuninkai's high note of "Eeeendless Raaaain!!" at the end made me cry. It was an incredible collaboration and personally, it was the highlight of the day.
After the performance, the announcement for Favorite International Artist was made. The award went to YOSHIKI, who expressed his gratitude in both Japanese and English. However, his whispering voice was so soft that I couldn't catch what he was saying through the microphone, but it was clear he was happy as he smiled and held the MAMA trophy above his head.
The next performance was by xikers.
This is a rookie boy group that debuted this year from KQ Entertainment, the agency behind Kep1er, which I also support. They delivered a passionate performance, and it made me reflect on how great it is to be young.
Next, the announcement for the fourth and fifth groups of the Worldwide Fans’ Choice was made. ENHYPEN and Lim Young Woong each received an award.
ENHYPEN expressed their gratitude in Korean, English, and Japanese, while Lim Young Woong delivered his comments via a video message. The cheers from the audience at the moment ENHYPEN was announced were incredible, and the cheers during the comment from Japanese member Niki were even louder; I thought more than half of the audience must have been ENGINE (ENHYPEN's fan name).
Then, the next performance was by JO1 and INI.
JO1 and INI appeared together, creating a lively dance performance with a total of 22 members.
After their individual performances, the collaboration performance between the two groups must have been a treat for the fans. As someone who supports Kep1er, born from an audition program, I understand the feelings of those who support groups from audition shows. After all, I've been watching them since they were nobody, so it's natural to feel attached. I feel like Kep1er is like a niece to me.
Next, the announcement for the second group of Favorite New Artist was made. The award went to ZEROBASEONE, marking their third win of the day and proving they are a monster rookie.
Next was the solo performance by the MC of the day, Jeon Somi.
Her charisma, which shone as the center of I.O.I, was still present in her solo performance.
There was another 10-minute break. During this time, I suddenly thought, "Wait? Kep1er hasn't won anything yet, but will they really perform without any awards?" and I was hit with a bit of anxiety.
After the break, there was a collaboration stage featuring the Korean hip-hop duo Dynamic Duo and participants from the popular Korean dance survival show "STREET WOMAN FIGHTER 2."
I learned about Dynamic Duo for the first time that day, and they were great at getting the crowd hyped. The Tokyo Dome transformed into a massive hip-hop club in an instant.
Next, the announcement of the 6th and 7th groups for the Worldwide Fans’ Choice. ATEEZ and NCT DREAM won the awards.
ATEEZ was scheduled to perform on Day 2 the next day, but surprisingly, they came to the venue to accept the award! I was satisfied to see ATEEZ, whom I thought I wouldn't be able to see, and to witness them in suits giving their acceptance speech.
A scene where a fan girl holding up a slogan for Yosang was shown on the monitor, and Yosang couldn't help but hide his face and smile awkwardly is a must-see for fans and non-fans alike.
The lack of reaction from the surrounding members adds to the brilliance of the moment.
NCT DREAM conveyed their acceptance comments through a video message. Despite appearing via video, the cheers were incredible, and the KPOP urban legend that Shizuni (NCT's fan name) can pop up anywhere might not be a lie after all.
And the next performing act was ENHYPEN.
On this day, the cheers and excitement proved ENHYPEN's popularity in Japan. Of course, they are holding a solo dome concert.
The new song "Sweet Venom" is a mix of 80s New Wave and American disco, which I personally love. I'm glad I got to see the performance live. The catchy phrase in the chorus, "Ihihihi, Ihihihi," is addictive. I feel like I say it when I'm washing my hair (probably not).
Next announced was the Favorite Asian Female Group. I was hoping to hear Kep1er’s name called.
And the name called was... Kep1er!!
They seemed a bit surprised, but soon smiles appeared on all the members' faces, and seeing the happy Kep1er made me smile too.
I was so happy to witness the moment of Kep1er winning, which I could only see through the TV last year, and I almost cried when I saw their leader Yujin calling out,
"Kepurians!"
Congratulations, Kep1er!
Next, the announcement of the 8th group for the Worldwide Fans’ Choice. The winner was Stray Kids.
They conveyed their acceptance comments through a video message, but it felt a bit lonely that Stray Kids, who have been incredibly popular this year, were not present at the venue. I heard that many STAY (Stray Kids' fan name) secured MAMA tickets thinking Stray Kids would actually perform. Perhaps because of that, the cheers when the video message played were amazing.
The next performance was by TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
When the intro of the hit song "Sugar Rush Ride," which became popular at the beginning of this year, played, the venue erupted with excitement. The fans' chants were perfect, showcasing the passion of MOA (TXT's fan name). They then performed their latest song "Chasing That Feeling," showing a dance break with a racer concept that got the venue hyped. They certainly proved why they are one of the top groups of the fourth generation.
"Chasing That Feeling" personally gives me an Eurythmics "Sweet Dreams" vibe, and the damp rush of 80s UK techno is just fantastic. By the way, Hyuninkai, who was chosen as the ending fairy (the one who poses for the camera at the end of the song), looked like Kep1er's Huening Bahie. Even though they are siblings, they look too much alike.
And the presenter called up was the only Japanese presenter, Takataka Aoki.
Aoki Takataka was always high-energy, while Lee Junyuk, who appeared with him, was always low-energy, creating a noticeable difference in their moods at the same award ceremony. Nevertheless, Aoki Takataka remained upbeat throughout, which slightly increased his likability.
These two announced the 9th and final 10th groups for the Worldwide Fans’ Choice. The winners were SEVENTEEN and TWICE.
SEVENTEEN was also scheduled to perform the next day, but they showed up to accept the award. The venue erupted with excitement.
TWICE, the only female group to win an award, conveyed their acceptance comments through a video message, but the video clearly showed everyone in casual clothes, and it was hard to tell if it was early morning or evening as they huddled together in the cold. I couldn't help but wonder, "Wait, did they just film this on short notice?" and I couldn't focus on the comments at all. It made me realize once again how tough it is to be an idol.
Next to appear was the finale of Day 1, Tohoshinki.
A fantastic performance from the veterans celebrating 20 years since their debut.
Especially Changmin's high notes, when heard live, make you want to exclaim, "Where is that voice coming from!?" His pitch was spot on, proving once again that veterans are truly amazing.
And in a surprising twist, they performed the classic hit "Rising Sun" in collaboration with SM Entertainment's rookie group RIIZE. It was a heart-pounding moment, like something out of a shonen manga, to see both old and new SM stars on the same stage. This was bound to get everyone excited. Long-time SM fans must have been especially thrilled. Fans of both TVXQ! and RIIZE were going wild.
Finally, the announcement of the last award of Day 1, the MAMA Award for Worldwide Icon of the Year. This award is one of the top honors given to the group with the highest number of votes among the ten selected for the Worldwide Fans’ Choice.
The award went to... BTS!!
Despite having almost no group activities this year, they still garnered the most votes, proving they are indeed "the world’s BTS." When Jungkook's video message played, the venue erupted with screams of joy. Just imagine the reaction if he had actually been there.
In the video, Jungkook called out to the fans in the audience, "ARMY!" (BTS's fan name), and most of the people in Tokyo Dome responded. It was interesting to wonder how many true ARMYs were among them, but the author also secretly shouted "Yeah!"
In the end, all the performers of the day gathered on stage for a grand finale.
It started at 6 PM and lasted until 9 PM, and looking back, it felt like it went by in an instant.
As a KPOP fan, I had always wanted to experience MAMA, and being able to see Kep1er perform confidently on the Tokyo Dome stage and even win an award made it truly the best day ever.
This year's MAMA faced criticism for not featuring the hugely popular Stray Kids, IVE, and NewJeans, but as someone who attended, I found the show to be thoroughly enjoyable even without those three groups. The collaboration stage with YOSHIKI and young KPOP stars was something you could only see at MAMA, and it truly showcased why MAMA is the biggest music awards show in KPOP.
On Day 2, I quietly watched from home, but the grand finale led by SEVENTEEN, along with ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, ATEEZ, TREASURE, (G)I-DLE, and LE SSERAFIM, featured a luxurious stage performance unique to MAMA, along with an incredibly cool collaboration stage by Kep1er's Shao Ting, LE SSERAFIM's Yoon Jin, and (G)I-DLE's Minnie that was a visual feast.
Especially Shao Ting's solo performance of "Snake" (the challenge song from Girls Planet!) with dancers was met with great excitement from the Girls Planet fans, and posts on X (formerly Twitter) were buzzing.
In short, thank you MAMA. Love you, Kep1er. That's all there is to say.
The End
SKOOTA KPOP Department
List of Winners at the "2023 MAMA AWARDS"
MAMA Award for Worldwide Icon of the Year
BTS
Artist of the Year
NewJeans
Song of the Year
"Ditto" NewJeans
Album of the Year
"FML" SEVENTEEN
Best Male Group
SEVENTEEN
Best Female Group
NewJeans
Best Male Artist
JIMIN (BTS)
Best Female Artist
JISOO (BLACKPINK)
Best New Male Artist
ZEROBASEONE
Best New Female Artist
tripleS
Best Vocal Performance Solo
Park Jae Jung
Best Vocal Performance Group
AKMU
Best Collaboration
JUNG KOOK (BTS) – Seven (feat. Latto) – Clean Ver.
Best Dance Performance Male Solo
JUNG KOOK (BTS)
Best Dance Performance Female Solo
JISOO (BLACKPINK)
Best Dance Performance Male Group
SEVENTEEN
Best Dance Performance Female Group
NewJeans
Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance
Agust D (BTS SUGA)
Best OST
BTS – The Planet (BASTIONS OST)
Best Music Video
『FLOWER』JISOO (BLACKPINK)
Favorite Global Performer Male Group
ATEEZ
Favorite Global Performer Female Group
(G)I-DLE
Favorite Dance Performance Male Group
TREASURE
Favorite Dance Performance Female Group
LE SSERAFIM
Favorite Asian Male Group
INI
Favorite Asian Female Group
Kep1er
Favorite New Artist
ZEROBASEONE RIIZE
Favorite International Artist
YOSHIKI
Inspiring Achievement
TVXQ
Galaxy Neo Flip Artist
TREASURE
MAMA Award for bibigo Culture & Style
SEVENTEEN
Worldwide Fans’ Choice
TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Lim Young Woong, ZEROBASEONE, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, BTS, SEVENTEEN, TWICE, NCT DREAM, ENHYPEN
Written by: Neko-machi Peko
SKOOTA KPOP Team Leader
〈Originally a Western rock music enthusiast, I once considered working for Rockin' On. I started listening to KPOP thanks to BTS, then got hooked on BLACKPINK, and dipped my toes into the KPOP world. I became obsessed with the survival audition show 'Girls Planet 999', also known as Galpra, and as a result, became a hardcore fan of Kep1er, fully immersing myself in the KPOP scene.〉