Major MAMA Awards Performance Axed Following Hong Kong Tragedy
In a devastating announcement on November 29, KOZ Entertainment and PLEDIS Entertainment confirmed the complete cancellation of the highly anticipated Saja Boys collaboration stage for Day 2 of the 2025 MAMA Awards. The virtual boy band's chart-topping track 'Your Idol' from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' will not be performed at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium as originally planned.
While fans were denied the spectacle of Saja Boys' animated performance, they were treated to a heartfelt appearance by Ahn Hyo Seop, the voice actor behind Jinu from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'. Dressed entirely in black, the popular actor delivered Jinu's moving lament to thunderous applause from the audience.
Ahn Hyo Seop's Emotional Tribute
Taking the microphone, Ahn Hyo Seop captivated the crowd with his powerful delivery. "Remember this voice. You gave me my soul back," he began, addressing the global K-pop fans gathered for the ceremony. "Our global K-Pop fans gathered at MAMA today and your energy fills the night with a quiet glow. Tonight you gave me light and now I'll give it to you."
His poetic speech continued with inspirational messages about courage and hope, concluding with, "Tonight, my voice spreads quietly for you, for this city and for the stars. And now, my friends are here, and it's their time to make the world shine."
Multiple Performances Scrapped
The cancellations extended far beyond the Saja Boys performance. BOYNEXTDOOR's agency released an official statement explaining, "Due to the scaling down of the 2025 MAMA Awards, BOYNEXTDOOR will no longer participate in the performance scheduled for today. We ask for fans' generous understanding."
PLEDIS Entertainment echoed similar sentiments for TWS, simply stating, "TWS will not be participating in the performance scheduled for today." This decision shattered expectations for what was promoted as K-pop's boldest animated crossover, blending live idols with animated demons.
The dream ensemble that fans would have witnessed included:
- BOYNEXTDOOR's magnetic Leehan
- RIIZE's Wonbin
- TWS's Shinyu
- ZEROBASEONE's powerhouse Park Gun-wook
- ZEROBASEONE's Han Yu-jin
This superstar lineup was set to channel Saja Boys' brooding grim reaper aesthetic, complete with holographic effects, fiery choreography, and dark lyrics syncing with the OST's impressive UK chart performance, where 'Golden' had clung to No. 6 after 23 weeks.
Tragic Fire Prompts Scale-Back
The dramatic scaling down of the awards show stems directly from the catastrophic fire that struck Hong Kong on November 26. The inferno ravaged Wang Fuk Court, a 32-story Tai Po residential tower, raging through more than 20 floors and trapping hundreds of residents in smoke and flames.
This tragedy has become Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 2008, claiming 128 lives and injuring 79 others, with authorities warning that these numbers might still rise. The disaster prompted MAMA host Park Bo-gum to lead moments of silence throughout the ceremony.
In solidarity with the victims, artists throughout the event donned black ribbons, including Enhypen and Rose during her daesang acceptance. The ceremony eliminated red carpet events entirely and banned all fire effects and garments that might reference the tragedy.
Fandom Reaction and Future Hopes
Global K-pop fans expressed mixed emotions, lamenting the loss of what would have been a milestone performance for Saja Boys' reaper concept while simultaneously championing the compassionate decision to scale back celebrations.
Many fans are now buzzing about potential revivals of the cancelled performances at future events like M Countdown or fan concerts. As agencies plead for understanding, the subdued ceremony has become a powerful embodiment of solidarity, with prayers surging for Hong Kong's recovery and K-pop community uniting in grief.
