The nominations for the 2025 MAMA Awards have been formally announced, setting the stage for one of K-pop‘s biggest end-of-year events. Jennie of BLACKPINK and the girl group aespa have emerged as the leading contenders, each racking up an impressive nine nominations across major categories.
The awards ceremony, which centers on the distinctly Korean spirit of “HEUNG” (fun and excitement), will be held over two nights, starting November 28 at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
Leading the Top Categories
aespa — consisting of members Karina, Winter, Ningning, and Giselle — secured nominations across several major fields, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (for “Whiplash”), and Album of the Year. Karina also earned an individual nod for her solo single “Up” in the Best Dance Performance Female Solo category.
Jennie matched aespa’s total with nine nominations, affirming her dominance as a solo force. She is up for Best Female Artist and Artist of the Year, and notably scored three separate nominations within the Song of the Year category for tracks from her debut solo album, Ruby: “Like JENNIE,” “Zen,” and “ExtraL.”
BLACKPINK and BTS Show Solo Strength
Other BLACKPINK members also made strong appearances on the list. ROSÉ earned six nominations, including two in the Song of the Year category (“APT.” and “Toxic Till the End”), while JISOO received four nominations. The group itself secured four additional nominations, including a nod for their comeback single, “Jump.”
Members of BTS are also heavily represented for their solo projects, further demonstrating the group’s continued influence. Jin, J-Hope, and V all earned multiple nominations, including J-Hope for Best Dance Performance Male Solo (for “MONA LISA”) and V for Best Collaboration (for “Winter Ahead”).
The awards reflect music released between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Winners are determined through a holistic evaluation that includes expert judging, streaming, downloads, and physical album sales.
Fan Voting and New Talent
Fan participation remains a critical component of the MAMA Awards. Voting for the Fans’ Choice nominees begins on October 26, selecting finalists for the Fans’ Choice Male and Fans’ Choice Female categories.
The Best New Artist category introduces a packed field of emerging groups, including ALLDAY PROJECT, BABYMONSTER, and ZEROBASEONE, signaling the robust future of the K-pop industry.
Tickets for the 2025 MAMA Awards will be available through various presale windows starting October 17, with general sale beginning October 20. The shift to the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium sets a record for the largest audience in MAMA history.
