ENHYPEN, Rosé Take Grand Prizes at 2025 MAMA Awards as K-Pop Honors Hong Kong Fire Victims

ENHYPEN won Fans' Choice of the Year while Rosé's "APT." captured Song of the Year at the November 28 ceremony in Hong Kong, where artists transformed the celebration into a tribute following the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 128 people.

K-pop's premier awards show proceeded at Kai Tak Stadium under drastically altered circumstances, with performers wearing black ribbons, organizers canceling the red carpet, and CJ ENM pledging $2.5 million to fire relief efforts.

Ceremony Opens with Moment of Silence

Host Park Bo-gum opened the November 28 broadcast by leading attendees in a moment of silence for fire victims. "A very unfortunate incident has occurred," he told the crowd at Kai Tak Stadium. "We express our deepest condolences to all those who lost precious lives in this accident."

The devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po began November 26, killing 128 residents and leaving approximately 200 missing. The blaze spread rapidly through bamboo scaffolding and protective netting surrounding seven of the complex's eight towers during renovation work.

Park explained that performers had prepared their stages with "heavy but responsible hearts" while believing in music's healing power. He announced CJ ENM would donate 20 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $2.5 million) to the government-established relief fund.

ENHYPEN Claims Fans' Choice Grand Prize

Member Jungwon fought tears accepting ENHYPEN's Fans' Choice of the Year award. "This is the first time in my life I've wanted something this badly," he said while thanking the group's fandom, ENGENE.

The seven-member group approaches their fifth anniversary on November 30. "We've cried and laughed with our fans over these five years," they told the audience. "This award feels like a gift for our fifth anniversary."

Jungwon thanked HYBE producer Bang Si-hyuk for treating members as individuals rather than products. The group positioned the win as a beginning rather than an ending, telling fans: "Don't ever give up on your dreams. Dreams become reality."

ENHYPEN also won Favorite Global Artist, bringing their total to three awards for the night.

Rosé's "APT." Wins Song of the Year

Rosé accepted her Song of the Year award via video, thanking fans for their support. "I received a really big award. I'm so grateful to fans who gave so much love throughout the year," she said, promising to create more wonderful songs.

Her collaboration with Bruno Mars dominated global charts in 2024, becoming one of the year's biggest viral hits.

Artists Prioritize Condolences Over Celebration

Winners consistently delivered messages of sympathy before discussing their awards. ENHYPEN and RIIZE appeared in black with memorial ribbons, immediately addressing the tragedy.

"We offer words of comfort to those injured in the recent fire," ENHYPEN said after winning Fans' Choice Male. "We'll repay you with amazing performances from our position." RIIZE prepared their condolences in Mandarin, telling affected families they hoped for swift recovery.

Stray Kids leader Bang Chan spoke in English: "You are no longer alone. We will give you strength through our music."

IVE, winning Favorite Global Performer and Favorite Female Group, kept remarks brief while expressing "deep condolences and comfort for the recent unfortunate accident in Hong Kong."

Best New Artist winners CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts both wore memorial ribbons. CORTIS bowed deeply before speaking, while Hearts2Hearts-who debuted in February-acknowledged their eight-member unity before concluding with fire victim condolences.

BOYNEXTDOOR delivered Mandarin messages hoping affected communities would overcome difficulties quickly.

Chinese Members Deliver Emotional Mandarin Tributes

Chinese members of various groups became visibly emotional while delivering native-language condolences.

aespa's Ningning expressed condolences to victims and bereaved families while hoping firefighters remained safe. (G)I-DLE's Yuqi shared that her group performed with "very calm hearts" before hoping her sincerity would reach those experiencing the disaster.

Super Junior, who won Inspiring Achievement and enjoy massive popularity in Chinese-speaking regions, bowed while conveying "sincere and deep comfort" to those experiencing fear due to the disaster.

Production Adjustments Reflect Mourning Period

Organizers avoided flashy fireworks and pyrotechnics throughout stage performances. MEOVV changed lyrics in "Burning Up" to "Turn It Up," avoiding fire-related language.

Most groups wore subdued black outfits instead of colorful costumes. Audience cheering was significantly reduced in broadcasts, emphasizing solemnity over typical awards show spectacle.

Fire Context: Hong Kong's Deadliest Blaze Since 1948

The Wang Fuk Court fire began November 26 in Tai Po district, ultimately killing 128 people with approximately 200 still missing as of November 28. The disaster marked Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948.

Flames spread rapidly through bamboo scaffolding and green protective netting surrounding buildings undergoing renovation. The housing complex housed roughly 4,800 people, many elderly. Three individuals connected to the construction company faced arrest on manslaughter suspicion.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee declared the incident a "major disaster," placing the city in national mourning.

Debate Over Proceeding During Crisis

CJ ENM faced backlash for continuing the ceremony while rescue efforts continued 20 kilometers away. The red carpet was canceled for both nights, and Hong Kong actors Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat withdrew as presenters.

In defense of the decision, CJ ENM stated: "Believing in the healing and unifying power of music, we have carefully planned the overall stage and program to deliver comfort and hope rather than extravagant performances."

The company noted performers had already arrived and that cancellation would trigger massive financial implications given contracts, production costs, and year-long preparations. MAMA 2025 was part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board's official event program.

K-Pop Industry Contributes Millions to Relief

Beyond CJ ENM's $2.5 million commitment, major agencies donated substantial amounts. SM Entertainment contributed 1 million HKD, with aespa adding 500,000 HKD and RIIZE contributing 250,000 HKD. YG Entertainment donated 1 million HKD.

Individual groups made significant contributions: Stray Kids, Jackson Wang, and Super Junior each gave 1 million HKD. (G)I-DLE donated 1 million Chinese yuan (approximately $141,000). IVE, TWS, and BOYNEXTDOOR each contributed 500,000 HKD. Additional donations came from EXO-CBX (500,000 HKD) and WayV (250,000 HKD).

Other First Night Winners

Beyond the two grand prizes, additional awards included:

• Favorite Male Group: BOYNEXTDOOR
• Favorite Female Group: IVE
• Global Trend Song: IVE - "REBEL HEART"
• Favorite Global Artist: ENHYPEN
• Inspiring Achievement: Super Junior
• Best New Artist: CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts
• Fans' Choice Male Top 10: ENHYPEN, RIIZE, Stray Kids, ZEROBASEONE, Baekhyun, SEVENTEEN, Jin, G-Dragon, j-hope, NCT DREAM
• Fans' Choice Female Top 10: BABYMONSTER, Hearts2Hearts, aespa, (G)I-DLE, Irene, IU, ILLIT, ITZY, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE

The 2025 MAMA Awards continues with Chapter 2 on November 29, hosted by actress Kim Hye-soo. Additional grand prizes including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year will be announced on the second night.

The ceremony balanced honoring K-pop achievements while respecting a city in mourning. Chapter 2 continues November 29 with actress Kim Hye-soo hosting, when additional grand prizes including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year will be announced.