This Is What It's Like To Attend The 2015 MAMA As A Non K-Pop Fan
I flew all the way to Hong Kong for T.O.P, you guys. :p
By Samantha Khor — 08 Dec 2015, 05:55 PM
How many people can say they've attended an awards show? Not just any awards show, but the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)?
Thanks to HotelsCombined, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to witness one of the K-pop industry's biggest music events LIVE in Hong Kong on 2 December!
One of the sponsors for MAMA 2015, Hotels Combined is the world's largest hotel search engine that combines all hotel deals from the best travel sites (e.g. Agoda, Hotels.com, and Expedia) into one free, quick and easy search.
So, what was it like, watching an awards ceremony happening right in front of your eyes?
Here's the thing - MAMA 2015 might be an awards ceremony first and foremost, but it felt like attending a K-pop concert with the array of performances lined up and the sea of screaming fans.
Most of us, including me, are accustomed to watching awards shows on TV and live streams, so it was quite an eye-opening experience to see how events like these i.e. live broadcasts are being taped
One of the things that really stood out was seeing the cameraman following the presenters' movements and running from one end to another to follow the performers and dancers! Camera crews are super under-appreciated, man.
Like TV, we have commercial breaks too, during which the stage crew sets up for the next performance.
That awkward moment when a presenter is speaking in Korean 90% of the time and you can only read 20% of the Chinese subtitles because you're 50% banana...
FYI, the above subtitles are in traditional Chinese, which a h*** lot harder to read than simplified Chinese. :/
All that aside, most of the action is concentrated in that one special area where the K-pop idols sit together. *sigh* So near, yet so far.
What I wouldn't give to rub shoulders with the stars... :)
While most of K-pop royalty came all decked out in gorgeous dresses and dapper suits, some made rather questionable fashion choices...
Rapper San E, unfortunately, resembled a broomhead janitor with his scruffy blonde hair and workman's suit.
Image via yinyuegirl's Tumblr
Whose idea was it to put f(x) and Pet Shop Boys in these... hard brush-inspired bird costumes?!
Image via Tumblr
Now, on to the best part of the show - the performances!
Let me just put this out there - I'm not exactly a fan of K-pop (please don't send me hate mail), but even I have to admit that the dance moves and elaborate sets accompanying the stars' performances are top notch!
This year saw a slew of amazing performances from SNSD's Taeyeon (pictured above), HyunA, SHINEE, EXO, Big Bang, PSY, as well as a surprise appearance by 2NE1 (the crowd went crazy wild okay)! Taiwanese pop diva Jolin Tsai and British electronic pop duo Pet Shop Boys also performed on the MAMA stage.
Watch 2NE1's full performance here.
Taiwanese pop diva and Best Asian Artist (Mandarin) winner Jolin Tsai's performance is so FIERCE. Them dancers be slaaaaaayin' in those heeled boots!
J.Y. Park blew every inch of respectability out of the water with his sexually-charged set. Is it even legal to do that onstage...?
If the GIFs haven't clued you in already, the following performance video is super NSFW:
Everyone was scandalised. #scarredforlife
At this point, I've been seated on my chair for the past 3 to 4 hours and my butt hurts. #TMITuesday
Why is it soooo looooong...? It didn't feel this long when I watch it on TV! :(
FINALLY, the one I came all the way to Hong Kong for... BIG BANG!!!
One of the biggest winners of the night, Big Bang took home 4 awards, including UnionPay Artist of the Year, Song of the Year ('Bang Bang Bang'), Hotels Combined Best Music Video ('Bae Bae'), and iQIYI Worldwide Favorite Artist.
Watch their full performance here:
Then, this magical moment happened. *heart eyes*
TBH if I were Sehun, I'd be crying if Seungri cuddled up to me too. ;)
Closing the awards ceremony is the one and only PSY, who descended into a ball of flame to perform his latest single 'Daddy' and all-time favourite 'Gangnam Style', reminding everyone of the ultimate earworm they will never get rid of
BONUS: The super adorable we-fie of HK actor/teddy bear Chow Yun-fat and Big Bang!
Check out the full list of winners here:
UnionPay Artist Of The Year: Big Bang
UnionPay Album Of The Year: EXO; 'EXODUS'
UnionPay Song Of The Year: Big Bang; "Bang Bang Bang"
Best Male Artist: J.Y. Park
Best Female Artist: Taeyeon
Best Male Group: EXO
Best Female Group: Girls' Generation
Best New Male Artist: iKON
Best New Female Artist: TWICE
Best Producer: J.Y. Park
New Generation Asian Artist: MONSTA X
Best Asian Style: EXO
Global Fans' Choice (Female): f(x)
Global Fans' Choice (Male): EXO
iQIYI Worldwide Favorite Artist: Big Bang
World Performer: BTS
Hotels Combined Best Music Video: Big Bang; "Bae Bae"
Best Collaboration & Unit: Zion.T & Crush; "Just"
Best Rap Performance: San E; "Me You"
Best Band Performance: CNBLUE; "Cinderella"
Best Vocal Performance (Female): Ailee; "Mind Your Own Business"
Best Vocal Performance (Male): Zion.T; "Eat"
Best Dance Performance (Female Group): Red Velvet; "Ice Cream Cake"
Best Dance Performance (Male Group): SHINee; "View"
Best Dance Performance (Solo): HyunA; "Roll Deep"
Best Asian Artist Mandarin: Jolin Tsai
Best Asian Artist Indonesia: RAN
Best Asian Artist Singapore: Stefanie Sun Yanzi
Best Asian Artist Vietnam: Dong Nhi
Best Asian Artist Thailand: POTATO
Best Asian Artist Japan: AKB48