The 2025 MAMA Awards made a major announcement on November 29, 2025, after a tragic apartment fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District left the region in mourning. The event decided to cancel its special collaboration performance that would have brought the fictional KPop Demon Hunters boy group Saja Boys to life. Originally, the stage was set to feature BOYNEXTDOOR’s Leehan, RIIZE’s Wonbin, TWS’s Shinyu, and ZEROBASEONE’s Park Gunwook and Han Yujin. The boy group members were slated to make a rendition of Your Idol, a song from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
However, KOZ Entertainment confirmed that Leehan’s appearance, scheduled for November 29 KST, was canceled. The award show also revealed that the entire program for day two would be adjusted to match a more somber tone. Day one already reflected the heavy atmosphere with artists wearing black or muted colors and even modifying song lyrics out of respect for Hong Kong residents. The decision to remove moments considered too bright or playful, including the Saja Boys performance, was part of these changes. The red-carpet event planned for the evening was also canceled to maintain a respectful tone.
[#2025MAMA] VIEWING GUIDE NOTICE
We will cancel RED CAPRET of 2025 MAMA AWARDS, and the main awards ceremony will be broadcast live as planned.
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‘2025 MAMA AWARDS’ 레드 카펫은 취소되었습니다.
본 시상식은 변동 없이 예정대로 생중계로 진행될 예정입니다.==… pic.twitter.com/DmmjRl4nni
— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) November 27, 2025
Despite the adjustments, day two of the 2025 MAMA Awards was still set to proceed later that night, hosted by Kim Hye Soo. BOYNEXTDOOR and TWS had already attended day one on November 28. Although fans were excited to see the fantasy group brought to life, many agreed that prioritizing respect and solemnity during such a tragic moment was the right choice.
