Ahyeon, Rora and Pharita of BabyMonster attend Frieze Seoul 2024 Art Fair for Chaumet at COEX in Kangnam-gu on September 04, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images)
ImaZins via Getty Images
After KPop Demon Hunters’ massive year, it feels only appropriate that one of Asia’s biggest music ceremonies honors the Netflix global hit with massively ambitious cross-platform performances. The 2025 MAMA Awards will recreate the film’s climactic showdown between the HUNTR/X and Saja Boys groups live at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium during the MAMAs later this week with a cast of top K-pop stars.
BABYMONSTER members Pharita, Ahyeon and Rora will embody “Golden” girl group HUNTR/X, stepping into the beloved roles of the on-screen demon hunters. In the accompanying announcement revealing the trio, the BABYMONSTER members’ “concept” was named “Gonna be Golden,” possibly as a preview of what to expect from the women when they hit the stage.
2025 MAMA Awards Presented by Visa X Netflix KPop Demon Hunters wonder stage concept “Gonna Be Golden” with BABYMONSTER’s PHARITA, AHYEON and RORA
Courtesy of CJ ENM
Opposite them, an all-star Saja Boys squad will assemble from several boy groups: BOYNEXTDOOR’s Leehan, RIIZE’s Wonbin, TWS’ Shinyu, as well as Park Gun Wook and Han Yu Jin of ZEROBASEONE. With the concept of “I’ll Be Your Idol,” perhaps pointing to a performance of the film’s dark, demonic hit “Your Idol.”
KPop Demon Hunters comes to life on an arena-scale via the MAMA Awards’ signature “Wonder Stage” that’s featured music icons like X Japan’s Yoshiki, BIGBANG and G-Dragon in the past.
While we don’t know which real-life K-pop star will embody which member of the animated groups, fans have already begun speculating across social media about who fits which character best — with many noting that Ahyeon previously proved she could hit the impressive high notes required to sing “Golden” live without any studio editing or processing.
2025 MAMA Awards Presented by Visa X Netflix KPop Demon Hunters wonder stage concept “I’ll Be Your Idol” with Leehan of BOYNEXTDOOR, Wonbin of RIIZE, Shinyu of TWS, Park Gun Wook of ZEROBASEONE, and Han Yu Jin of ZEROBASEONE
Courtesy of CJ ENM
This Netflix collaboration is the clearest example yet of how K-pop’s ecosystem is now successfully spanning and integrating itself into animation, film, music, and live performance. With the mainstream appeal of KPop Demon Hunters across media, this looks like the MAMA Awards’ biggest chance to reach new audiences and fans through its Wonder Stage yet.
Beyond the star-studded KDH tribute, special performances from the likes of Super Junior, Stray Kids, and ALPHA DRIVE ONE with superstar presenters including Michelle Yeoh, Arden Cho, Noh Sanghyun, and more.
This year’s MAMA Awards take place between November 28 and 29 live from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium featuring the likes of G-Dragon, i-dle, aespa, ENHYPEN, IVE, ALLDAY PROJECT, JO1 and many more performers. This year’s nominees are led by BLACKPINK’s Jennie and aespa with nine nods each, followed by G-Dragon and BOYNEXTDOOR with eight apiece, and newcomers ALLDAY PROJECT with seven.
The 2025 MAMA Awards will be live streamed globally through digital platforms via Mnet Plus. The MAMAs are co-hosted by CJ ENM and Media Asia Entertainment Limited, and organized by Rolemodel Entertainment Group Limited.