Since then, the way the performance was organized has raised questions.
When it was first announced BLACKPINK‘S Rose AND Bruno Mars would both be honored at the “2024 MAMA Awards” in Japan, fans couldn’t hide their excitement. And, as much as their appearance was long-awaited, the superstar duo was celebrated during the show, turning other K-Pop idols into fans as well.
Idols’ Reactions to BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars at “MAMA Awards 2024” Become a Hot Topic
But after the show aired, including a pre-recorded performance of “APT” on the big screen, questions were raised about MAMA’s performance. “misbehaviour”.
MAMA marketed Rosé and Bruno Mars’ appearance for a “special test”. Until the pre-recording was shown, according to the audience it was not announced that it would not be a live performance.
That said, those who were present and watching from home now claim that MAMA did “scam” the spectators for the “tickets” AND “spectators”. Hundreds of comments have piled up in online communities, all criticizing MAMA for pulling such a stunt.
- “Huh. Wasn’t this a live performance? Was a pre-recording shown instead? I would have guessed that the two would perform in person… Here’s how the performance was marketed.
- “Bruno is also popular in Japan. I’m sure there are people who bought tickets to see him perform live. This sucks. I mean, people watching at home felt cheated. I’m sure it was worse for the people who went in person.”
- “Really… CJ wanted power, so it wasn’t announced. Which is disgusting.
- “Oh, man. Sometimes, when idols swap a live performance for a pre-recorded one during awards shows or year-end performances, they still go on stage and perform a bit. I guess they didn’t even do that… People must feel cheated.
- “This is on MAMA and not Rosé or Bruno Mars. A live band performance would have been possible if they hadn’t split the awards show into three nights and budgeted for an evening done right.
- “Oh, people have every right to be pissed off. Even in music shows, idols come on stage to perform even when there is a pre-recording. What if something like this happened to a show I paid for? I would feel cheated.”
- “They should have been announced… Those tickets weren’t cheap.”
- “If it hadn’t been announced, it would be a borderline scam. Mom is crazy.
- “Even fucking CJ. They also advertised this as if it were a live performance.”
- “So they scammed people into buying tickets… And even if the pre-recording is shown, the artists usually go on stage. I guess this wasn’t done either and was literally shown a video.
- “But why [was it a pre-recording]?”
While some tried to understand the need for a pre-recorded performance, given the live band and all, most criticized MAMA for using the duo’s name for influence and then disappointing the audience big time.
It’s understandable why Rosé and Bruno Mars opted for a pre-recording (to have a live band). I also think that the two were thoughtful in showing up anyway to collect the award in person. The problem is with MAMA. If MAMA had announced that a pre-recorded performance would be shown, no one would have felt disappointed. But they didn’t. And it’s obvious why CJ kept it a secret until the end. They probably wanted power for their awards show, right?
— Comment from Netizens
However, the performance itself was praised. Additionally, audiences saw Rosé and Bruno Mars accept the award in person, even leading to a “embarrassing” moment that showcased their personalities.
Read more about it below.
A hilariously “awkward” moment between BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars at the “2024 MAMA Awards”