MAMA 2020's ‘Biggest Regret’

The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) 2020 is currently facing a lot of backlash from K-Pop fans. From allegations of mistreatment against idols, it's biased award system and its problematic lineup. There's a long list of things that went wrong at MAMA 2020.

Well, some of South Korea's biggest musical acts have blessed the MAMA 2020 stage with spectacular performances amidst the coronavirus restrictions. BTS, who won all four of MAMA's daesangs, performed their 2020 hit songs "ON," "Dynamite," and "Life Goes On." Meanwhile, TWICE gave fans a stunning stage for "MORE&MORE and "I Can't Stop Me." The nonet has also blessed fans with an elegant performance of their unreleased track, "CRY FOR ME." 

Despite the buzz created by BTS, TWICE, GOT7, MAMAMOO, Stray Kids, IZ*ONE, and other K-Pop groups, fans still claim that this year's MAMA show was "incomplete" and boring.

Fans claim that MAMA 2020's "biggest regret" is not inviting two of today's hottest girl groups: ITZY and BLACKPINK.

ITZY was MAMA 2019's "Best New Female Artist." However, despite their latest hit releases with "WANNABE" AND "NOT SHY," and being nominated for "Song of the Year" as well as "Best Dance Performance Female Group," the quintet from JYP Entertainment failed to get an invitation to perform at the year-end awards show. 

Because of that, viewers weren't able to witness a smashing performance from ITZY and didn't get the chance to witness Ryujin's trending "shoulder dance" for "WANNABE."

Meanwhile, with their outstanding achievements this year and despite bagging three awards at MAMA 2020, YG Entertainment's BLACKPINK wasn't able to perform at the awards show. The four membered-group has released bop after bop this year and smashed records with their first album. Because of this, fans are hyped to see Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rose perform on the MAMA stage for the first time. However, everyone was disappointed when it was announced that the quartet wouldn't be performing at the awards show. 

It was a letdown for fans who have hoped for an explosive performance of BLACKPINK's 2020 hits, "How You Like That," "Ice Cream," and "Lovesick Girls."

There's a drought of amazing girl group presence at this year's MAMA. The organizers are facing heavy criticism for their lineup choices. Fans accuse MAMA of paying too much attention to boy groups and ignoring girl groups. This year's lineup included 13 boy groups and, to fans' dismay, only five girl groups. 

Aside from BLACKPINK and ITZY, MAMA has also failed to invite SM Entertainment's Red Velvet and rookie girl group "aespa."