2025 MAMA AWARDS returns to Hong Kong, bolstering the city’s mega economy

2025 MAMA AWARDS returns to Hong Kong for the first time since 2018. Hong Kong has hosted MAMA AWARDS more than any other location, having held the awards for seven consecutive years from 2012-2018. The two-day awards ceremony will be held for the first time at Kai Tak Stadium, Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong starting November 28.

Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced today (13 October 2025) that it will announce the nominations for the upcoming 2025 MAMA AWARDS on Thursday (16 October 2025). This year’s world’s No.1 K-POP MAMA AWARDS centers on “HEUNG(흥),” the distinctly Korean spirit of fun and excitement that has captivated global audiences. The awards will celebrate not just the power of music, but the essence of what makes Korean culture irresistibly compelling and influential worldwide.
"HEUNG" represents a uniquely Korean concept – a vibe that comes alive naturally in moments of pure joy and excitement. The 2025 MAMA AWARDS recognizes "HEUNG" as the driving force behind K-pop's global impact and Korean culture's magnetic appeal worldwide.
The 2025 MAMA AWARDS slogan ‘UH-HEUNG’ echoes the roar of a tiger, an animal that has long symbolized Korea’s strength and spirit. In the released logo teaser, the tiger motif is reflected in the 2025 MAMA AWARDS official logo, capturing the pure joy and boundless energy of HEUNG that defines both Korean culture and K-pop’s global impact.

First launched in 1999 as Korea’s first music video ceremony by CJ ENM’s music channel Mnet, the awards rebranded itself into MAMA AWARDS from the Mnet Asian Music Awards, underscoring its commitment to go global. MAMA AWARDS is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the artistry and the power of music to connect people across boundaries. Since then, MAMA AWARDS has been at the forefront of K-pop’s global expansion by hosting the ceremony across the world, including Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and the United States.

2025 MAMA AWARDS, co-hosted by CJ ENM and Media Asia Entertainment Limited, and organized by Rolemodel Entertainment Group Limited, is supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

NEW YORK (AP) — Pledge allegiance to her hands, her team, her vibes: Taylor Swift once again leads the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nominees with nine. She's followed by Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Alex Warren, who are tied with eight each.

The iHeartRadio Music Awards honor the most played artists of the year on its stations and app. Last year, Swift and country singer Morgan Wallen led the nominees with 10 each.

She also led the nominees in 2024 and in 2023, when she tied with Lizzo and Harry Styles.

This time around, Swift is up for song, artist, pop artist, pop song of the year, best lyrics, best music video, favorite on screen, favorite tour style as well as the new to 2026, fan-voted category favorite TikTok dance.

“This is an annual awards show made exclusively for fans, celebrating the biggest songs and artists they’ve loved listening to on iHeartRadio stations and our iHeartRadio app all year long,” said John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises and Tom Poleman, chief programming officer of iHeartMedia in a joint statement.

Squaring off against Swift in the artist of the year category are Wallen, Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Benson Boone, Chris Brown, Jelly Roll, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Tate McRae.

And in song of the year, Swift's “The Fate of Ophelia” will face off against Wallen's “Love Somebody,” Carpenter's “Manchild,” Boone's “Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else,” Doechii's “Anxiety,” Shaboozey's “Good News,” Warren's “Ordinary,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA's “Luther,” Leon Thomas' “Mutt” and Myles Smith's “Stargazing.”

Fans can vote in several categories including favorite Broadway debut, favorite TikTok dance, favorite debut album, best lyrics, best music video, favorite on screen, favorite tour photographer, favorite soundtrack, favorite tour style, favorite tour tradition and favorite K-pop collab.

Social voting takes place at iHeartRadio.com/awards and will close March 19 at 11:59 p.m. PDT for all categories.

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards broadcasts live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 26 at 8 p.m. EDT on FOX.

It will also air on iHeartRadio stations across the U.S. and on the app.

This combination of photos shows Sabrina Carpenter, left, Taylor Swift, center, and Bad Bunny. (AP Photo)