The 2024 MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) kicked off with a three-day celebration, starting in the U.S. on November 21 and continuing today, November 22, in Osaka, Japan. This year’s event features a star-studded lineup, including Rosé (BLACKPINK), G-Dragon, IVE, TXT, ENHYPEN, Byeon Woo Seok, Lee Ji Ah, and global sensation Bruno Mars.
What caught fans by surprise was the attendance of BLACKPINK’s Rosé and BIGBANG’s G-Dragon—two artists who have avoided MAMA for nearly a decade. Both have a history of tension with the event, leaving fans curious about why they decided to return this year.
The History of the Feud
In 2014, G-Dragon made headlines when he openly criticized MAMA on its stage during a performance of Good Boy. His freestyle rap slammed the event for giving awards based on popularity rather than talent, saying that MAMA “hand it out generously so your children don’t fight.” After that performance, G-Dragon and BIGBANG stopped attending MAMA altogether.
In 2017, BLACKPINK was nominated for Best Female Group. However, fans were furious when MAMA placed BLACKPINK’s photo last on the nominee list and blurred their faces in red. From then on, BLACKPINK has never attended MAMA.
Rosé and G-Dragon Return to MAMA in 2024
On November 22, Rosé made her MAMA comeback, appearing with Bruno Mars to accept an award for their viral hit APT.. This marks the first time a BLACKPINK member has attended MAMA in seven years. Rosé looked happy and confident as she took the stage, winning over fans with her charm.
Similarly, G-Dragon’s announcement that he will attend MAMA 2024 in Japan on November 23 has left fans in shock—especially since he plans to perform, marking a dramatic shift from his onstage criticism of the event 10 years ago. The reasons behind this apparent reconciliation between the two stars and MAMA are speculated to fall into two main possibilities.
One possible explanation is that MAMA’s organizers made peace with the two stars, extending invitations accompanied by apologies or efforts to clear up misunderstandings. Alternatively, Rosé might have agreed to attend out of respect for Bruno Mars, as the event celebrates their collaboration. This opportunity also serves as an excellent platform to further promote their viral hit.
Additionally, MAMA’s ambition to reclaim its prominence after years of decline has led to a broader global presence, starting with its U.S. debut. For artists like Rosé and G-Dragon, this offers a valuable chance to promote their comeback projects. Rosé is gearing up for her solo album while actively promoting APT., and G-Dragon recently marked his return with the release of Power, his first music video in seven years since Kwon Ji Yong.
