2025 MAMA Awards organisers criticised for proceeding with Hong Kong event amid devastating fire tragedy

2025 MAMA Awards faces backlash

The 2025 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) are facing mounting backlash after organisers confirmed the show would proceed in Hong Kong despite a catastrophic residential fire that has left the city shaken.

The star-studded K-pop event, happening tpday and tomorrow at Kai Tak Stadium, comes just days after a massive blaze ripped through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po.

The fire, which erupted two days before the awards weekend, has so far claimed at least 128 lives. Another 79 people are reported injured, while authorities say 89 bodies are yet to be identified. This is one of Hong Kong’s deadliest urban disasters in recent memory. Following the tragedy, emergency services raised the fire alarm to its highest level, and major public events including those connected to the upcoming Legislative Council election were halted.

Against this backdrop, the decision to move forward with a glittering entertainment show just 20 kilometres from an active disaster site has triggered strong reactions across social media. Many questioned the optics of allowing a global spectacle to proceed while families remain in mourning.

“The city has just experienced such a tragedy, and now there’s going to be a group of foreigners partying and celebrating. The whole situation feels deeply somber,” one user wrote on X.

“I don’t want to see entertainment take priority over everything else so quickly,” wrote another.

Another Hong Kong resident echoed the sentiment, saying, “If CJ ENM decides to cancel the event now, I’d completely understand. First and foremost, I’m a Hong Konger — being a K-pop fan comes second.”

However, some argued that cancelling the show at this stage would have massive financial implications.

“If the show didn’t take place, the organizers would face massive compensation claims, not to mention production costs, artist schedules and staff salaries,” users pointed out.

[OFFICIAL] Full Statement from CJ ENM:

Hello. This is the '2025 MAMA AWARDS'.
We express our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the fire accident in Hong Kong.

We offer our sincere comfort to all those, including the bereaved families, who are experiencing…

— ً (@geonwoofs) November 27, 2025

Amid growing scrutiny, CJ ENM announced on Thursday evening that the ceremony, supported in part by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will go ahead. In an official statement, the company offered its “deepest condolences” and “heartfelt sympathy” to those affected, revealing that the upcoming broadcast will include a “Support Hong Kong” message and a dedicated moment of remembrance.

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Organisers also confirmed that the show has been significantly toned down in light of the tragedy. Furthermore, they pledged to make a donation toward relief efforts, emphasising that the revised program aims to respect the gravity of the situation while acknowledging the months of logistical planning behind the event.