SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) — K-pop superstars Seventeen solidified their dominance by clinching a grand prize for the second consecutive year at the 2024 MAMA Awards on Saturday, one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the K-pop industry.
The two-day event was held across Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan, marking the first time in its history that part of the ceremony was held in the United States, drawing global attention.
The 13-member group took home the coveted Visa Artist of the Year award on the final night, marking its second consecutive grand prize after winning Album of the Year in 2023.
K-pop boy group Seventeen is seen in this photo provided by CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Visibly emotional during his acceptance speech, member Woozi said: “They say you’re free to dream, but for us, winning a grand prize for two consecutive years was something we never imagined. We’ll continue to live to repay this honor, staying steadfast and unchanged.”
Seventeen did not stop there. It also received Visa Album of the Year, one of the four grand prizes, for its 11th EP, “Seventeenth Heaven,” along with Best Male Group, Visa Super Stage and Fans’ Choice Male Top 10, sweeping five awards in total.
K-pop girl group aespa is seen in this file photo provided by SM Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Other major winners included aespa, whose song “Supernova” was named Visa Song of the Year.
The quartet took home six awards, including Best Female Group, Best Dance Performance Female Group, Best Choreography, Best Music Video and Fans’ Choice Female Top 10.
On the first day of the event in Japan, BTS’ Jimin won the Visa Fans’ Choice of the Year, also one of the four grand prizes.
A highlight of the evening was a surprise performance by BIGBANG, marking a rare reunion of three remaining members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung.
The trio delivered a nostalgic yet electrifying set that began with G-Dragon’s performance of his solo tracks “Untitled” (2014) and “Power” (2024).
The performance peaked when they reunited to perform G-Dragon’s latest single “Home Sweet Home” featuring Taeyang and Daesung. Starting as a solo, the performance saw Taeyang and Daesung join mid-song, thrilling fans with their undeniable chemistry. They then performed a medley of two of the group’s mega-hits, “Bang Bang Bang” (2015) and “Fantastic Baby” (2012), sending the audience and artists into a frenzy of excitement.
Singer-rapper G-Dragon is seen in this photo provided by CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
G-Dragon was also honored with the inaugural Music Visionary of the Year award. In his acceptance speech, he humorously referenced lyrics from his 2014 MAMA Awards performance, saying: “It’s been a while. It looks like Mama is preparing a large feast.”
Actor Byun Woo-seok, who rose to stardom with the 2024 tvN series “Lovely Runner,” also performed “Sudden Shower,” an OST track he sang in the drama.
Byun received the Favorite Global Trending Music for the song, whose popularity has generated tremendous buzz both domestically and internationally.
Actor Byun Woo-seok is seen in this photo provided by CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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