K-pop icon G-Dragon has been crowned Artist of the Year at the MAMA Awards, which took place in Hong Kong on 28–29 November. But this year’s ceremony unfolded under a cloud of grief, as the city continues to mourn the victims of a devastating residential fire.
Opening with a solemn moment of silence, the MAMA Awards — a fixture in Asian pop culture since 1999 — set a reflective tone at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium. Presenters and performers appeared wearing black memorial ribbons, a collective gesture of solidarity.
Read more: Kpop MAMA Awards to Continue in Hong Kong Despite Tai Po Fire, Backlash Ensues
The tragedy that framed the evening was the Nov 26 blaze at Wang Fuk Court, now Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. At least 128 people have been confirmed dead, with around 200 still missing. The city remains in an official state of mourning.
According to both an official MAMA statement and reporting by The Korea Herald, the show was described as “subdued”. The Herald also noted that a performance by Saja Boys — the idol group from Netflix’s upcoming animated film KPop Demon Hunters (2025) — was pulled due to the grim reaper theme in their act.
Most attendees kept their styling muted, opting for darker palettes in line with the night’s sombre mood.
G-Dragon walked away with four awards: Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist, Best Dance Performance Male Solo, and a FANS’ CHOICE MALE TOP 10 win from the previous evening.
Receiving his award from Hong Kong screen legend Chow Yun Fat, the singer used his speech to thank fans of BigBang, affectionately known as “VIPs”. Though his solo career continues to flourish, the 37-year-old remains a proud member of the group.
“I hope to become an artist who can provide even a small amount of strength to Hong Kong citizens grieving from the sudden tragedy. Today is a joyful day, but also one filled with mixed emotions,” he said.
“It is a great honor to receive this award from Chow Yun Fat, whom I have always considered an eternal idol, during Mnet’s 30th anniversary of MAMA. I am deeply grateful to my fans for their unwavering support. Next year marks BIGBANG’s 20th anniversary. I will return not alone but with my friends.”
The K-pop icon stepped onto the Kai Tak Stadium stage dressed in black, a single ribbon pinned to his chest. His choice of ‘Untitled (無題)’ over originally planned performances became an understated gesture of mourning—one that positioned music not as entertainment, but as solace.
Alongside the performance, he donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court, a concrete show of solidarity with affected families.
On stage, he kept movement minimal and visuals quiet. No elaborate props, no choreographed chaos—just a single message offered through silence and restraint. Even with limited rehearsal time, the shift in tone felt intentional: a gesture for the deceased, and a moment of collective comfort for Hong Kong.
