The 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong became a major talking point for all the wrong reasons, with BIGBANG’s G-Dragon at the center of a storm of criticism over his live performance. After winning one of the night’s top honors, Artist of the Year, his subsequent vocal delivery during a 15-minute set drew intense scrutiny from viewers. The situation deepened when G-Dragon himself appeared to acknowledge the problem, leaving a thumbs-down emoji on the official video of his own performance.
The awards ceremony, held at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on November 29, was already scaled back due to a tragic local apartment fire. G-Dragon took home four awards in total, but the celebration was quickly overshadowed by the online reaction to his singing. Many viewers expressed disappointment, pointing to what they described as unstable pitch and a heavy reliance on pre-recorded backing tracks throughout his performances of songs like “Heartbreaker” and “Untitled, 2014.”
G-Dragon’s Performance Draws Sharp Criticism
The backlash was swift following G-Dragon’s solo set on the second night of the MAMA Awards. Korean netizens and international fans alike took to online forums and social media to voice their opinions, with many labeling the performance a disappointment. Critics focused on the vocal quality, suggesting that his voice seemed to be in poor condition and that large sections of the singing were not live.
This is not the first time G-Dragon’s live form has been questioned recently. Similar concerns about his gravelly delivery and off-key ad-libs were raised after his appearances at other events, including the ‘SBS Gayo Daejeon’ and his world-tour opener in Goyang last March. Against this backdrop, the MAMA stage became another flashpoint for debate about his current vocal control.
G-Dragon’s Unspoken Reaction to the Controversy
G-Dragon publicly expressed his own dissatisfaction with how the performance was presented. After the MAMA Awards’ official social media account posted a highlight reel, he commented directly on the clip, leaving a thumbs-down emoji and an ellipsis.
This action was widely interpreted as his own acknowledgment that the performance did not meet expectations. Some of his supporters speculated that his reaction was not just about his own singing but also a critique of the show’s production. They suggested he was calling out Mnet for its audio mixing, which they believe negatively affected the broadcast’s sound quality.
Fans Defend G-Dragon, Blaming MAMA’s Audio Production
While criticism was plentiful, a strong contingent of fans rushed to G-Dragon’s defense, shifting the blame away from the artist and onto the technical team behind the MAMA broadcast. Many argued that the live sound in the venue was significantly better than what was heard by viewers at home, pointing the finger at Mnet’s audio mixing.
โTheir audio is a mess ๐ญ wtf mama,โ one fan commented on social media.
โWow he sounds incredible. IDK why MAMA never fixes their trash sound system. This is not the first time either,โ wrote another supporter, highlighting a recurring complaint about the award show’s production value.
Some fans noted that G-Dragon seemed to have issues with his in-ear monitors during the performance, which could have affected his ability to hear himself sing. Others compared fan-recorded videos from the stadium to the official broadcast, claiming there was a “huge” difference in sound quality and that the official mix made him sound worse.
MAMA Awards 2025 Marred by Broader Issues
The controversy around G-Dragon’s performance was not the only problem facing the 2025 MAMA Awards. The entire event was impacted by the aftermath of a deadly high-rise apartment fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. As a mark of respect, the organizers canceled the red carpet event and adjusted the broadcast schedule.
Viewers also found the overall broadcast to be lacking. Many described the show as “boring” and predictable, complaining that idols were largely absent from the artist seats except when accepting awards, which eliminated spontaneous reaction moments. The first night of the event was particularly criticized for missing performances from popular third-generation K-pop groups.
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G-Dragon’s Philanthropy Amid the Scrutiny
Separate from the performance controversy, G-Dragon’s actions off the stage drew positive attention. Before the awards ceremony, he donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $130,000 USD) to support fire recovery efforts and community counseling for those affected by the Tai Po disaster.
His donation was allocated to aid firefighters, volunteers, and residents impacted by the tragedy. The Jusispis Foundation, where G-Dragon serves as honorary chairman, also pledged to provide psychological support for rescue workers. During his acceptance speech, he acknowledged the somber mood, stating, โIt’s a happy day, but it’s also a sad day,โ and expressed that he had prepared his performance to give strength to Hong Kong citizens.
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