The MAMA Awards will proceed as scheduled in Hong Kong this week, even as the city grapples with one of its deadliest residential fires in recent years. The blaze, which broke out early Tuesday at a high-rise apartment in the Yau Ma Tei district, killed at least 55 people and left more than 300 others missing, according to local authorities.
Emergency officials said the fire spread rapidly through narrow hallways cluttered with combustible materials, while outdated safety systems and malfunctioning sprinklers hindered evacuation efforts. The incident has triggered widespread grief and renewed scrutiny of Hong Kong’s building safety standards.
Despite concerns over whether a major entertainment event should take place during a national tragedy, South Korea’s CJ ENM — the organizer of the MAMA Awards — said Wednesday that the ceremony will continue, but with a more subdued tone and adjusted staging.
“We are preparing the show with great caution so that it conveys comfort and hope rather than flashy spectacle,” the company said in a statement. “We will carry out the 2025 MAMA Awards with a strong sense of responsibility.” CJ ENM added that it plans to donate to support fire victims and will incorporate a “Support Hong Kong” message into the program.
Following internal discussions and consultations with artists’ management teams, several elements of the show have been scaled back. While CJ ENM did not disclose specific changes, Hong Kong’s The Standard reported that fireworks effects have been removed and the red carpet event canceled. The ceremony will also begin with a moment of silence, and parts of the show are expected to be pre-recorded.
This year’s MAMA Awards will be held November 28–29 at Kai Tak Stadium. Many K-pop artists — including Alphadrive1, Babymonster, Enhypen, Heart2Heart, TWS, Stray Kids, Zerobaseone and G-Dragon — have already arrived in Hong Kong and completed rehearsals.
Still, the scale of the tragedy has fueled debate over whether hosting a large K-pop festival is appropriate. Public sentiment remains heavy as rescue teams continue searching for the missing and families await updates.
The MAMA Awards, one of Asia’s largest annual music events, has increasingly expanded its global presence by staging shows overseas. This year, however, the spotlight is shifting from spectacle to sensitivity as Hong Kong confronts its worst fire disaster in more than a decade.
