The event, held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, was live streamed via Mnet, and Bruno Mars was one of the highlights of the evening. The MAMA Awards had teased his collaboration with Rosé the day before, fueling huge excitement online. Fans were eager to watch their performance of the viral hit APP. live.
The prominent presence of Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars impressed from the start of the awards ceremony. During aespa’s acceptance of the Fan’s Choice award, he was seen standing and applauding enthusiastically along with other artists, surprising many spectators. This moment further raised anticipation for his live performance later in the event.
Rosé and Bruno Mars also took to the stage to accept the Global Sensation Award together, showing a playful chemistry. Bruno delighted fans by giving a short acceptance speech in Korean, saying, “감사합니다” (“Thank you”). The duo’s interaction sparked further anticipation for their performance later in the show.
The disappointment of pre-recorded performances
After a prolonged wait of over an hour after accepting the award, fans were finally shown the much-hyped APP. performance towards the end of the third segment. However, it quickly became apparent that the performance had been pre-recorded in a small live venue, rather than being performed live on the Kyocera Dome stage.
The lack of a live performance left many fans frustrated, with a growing backlash online. Hopes for a surprise live stage appearance persisted until actor Byun Woo Seok appeared to introduce the Fans’ Choice of the Year prize, signaling the end of the night.
A cold conclusion
The lack of a live finale, especially with BTS’ Jimin unable to attend due to military service, cast a shadow over the event. Despite strong performances and accolades for artists like aespa and ENHYPEN, the show’s reliance on the star power of Bruno Mars and Rosé ultimately backfired. Critics argued that the awards relied too much on celebrity glamour, overshadowing the essence of a true musical celebration.
THE MAMA Awards 2024 will continue with Chapter 2 on November 23, with a red carpet event at 1pm and the awards ceremony starting at 3pm. Fans are hoping for a stronger conclusion to the two-day event.
Source: Xsports News
