BTS shines bright at the 2019 MAMAs

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BTS shines bright at the 2019 MAMAs

K-pop sensation BTS took home all four major awards at this year’s Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) held at the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday night.

Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Worldwide Icon of the Year each went to the septet, and the group additionally took home five awards, including Worldwide Fans’ Choice, Best Male Group, Best Music Video, Best Dance Performance and Favorite Male Artist.

Their agency’s CEO, Bang Si-hyuk, received the Best Executive Producer award for his third consecutive year.

As previously announced, IZ*ONE and X1 did not participate at the event due to the aftermath of the ongoing vote-rigging scandal at cable channel Mnet.

After receiving Song of the Year for “Boy with Luv,” BTS member Jin commented on the ongoing sajaegi controversy, in which the rankings of local music charts are fabricated through multiple IDs.

“We know that a lot of musicians are [out there] making wonderful songs,” said Jin during his acceptance speech. “I hope that there comes a time when all of these songs are recognized. Wouldn’t it be better to create music honestly rather than illegally?”

Rapper Heize, after receiving the Best Hip Hop and Urban Music award for her song “She’s Fine,” also indirectly criticized sajaegi when she said, “I hope that a fair music environment is made where the hard work of all artists is never wasted.”

Despite ongoing issues in the local music industry, the acts in attendance did their best to entertain the 40,000 people in attendance at the Nagoya Dome and viewers watching at home.

Singer and JYP CEO Park Ji-young, who performed his latest hit single “Fever,” collaborated with girl group Mamamoo, while performing his songs such as “You’re the one,” “Who’s your mama?” and their song “Yes I Am” together.

Park and Mamamoo member Hwasa also performed a duet of his 1994 debut song “Don’t leave me” - while Park donned his trademark vinyl pants. While Park performed, Got7 member Jackson’s horrified expression at seeing his boss on stage was caught on camera, drawing laughs from the crowd.

While BTS swept the top prizes, other awards went to rookie boy group Tomorrow X Together, who took home two prizes - Best New Male Artist and Worldwide Fans’ Choice. Including their MAMA wins, the quintet has received six rookie awards since they debuted in March.

Best New Female Artist went to girl group ITZY, their sixth rookie award since the group became an instant sensation after their debut in February. Singer Chungha took home the Best Dance Performance Solo and Best Female Artist awards.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joonang.co.kr]

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