2025 MAMA Awards organisers face backlash as event continues in Hong Kong amid fire incident

Two days and just 20 kilometres away from the event's venue, a residential estate fire broke out in the city

The 2025 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) scheduled to take place Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on November 28 and 29 have become the subject of scrutiny as the city reels from a residential estate fire that has now claimed atleast 128 lives.

Just two days prior to the K-pop event, a massive blaze ripped through the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po district.

With 79 known to be injured, and 89 bodies yet to be identified, the fire has been deemed one of Hong Kong’s deadliest urban disasters in recent history. Following the disaster, the city's fire alarm was raised to the highest level and major public activities were suspended including events related to the upcoming Legislative Council election.

In light of the crisis, a debate has erupted online about the appropriateness of holding a flashy award show, a mere 20 kilometres away from the site of the tragedy where rescue efforts are ongoing.

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

Another said, “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.”

Others argued that if the show didn't take place, “the organizers would face massive compensation claims, not to mention production costs, artist schedules and staff salaries,”

Amid the debate, organisers CJ ENM confirmed on Thursday evening that the event, which is partly funded by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will proceed as scheduled.

In a statement, they expressed their “deepest condolences” and “heartfelt sympathy” to the victims of the incicent and revealed that the event will feature a “Support Hong Kong” message and a moment of remembrance to “share in the grief.”

They also pledged to make a donation for relief efforts and clarified that the ceremony is being altered into a more toned-down format, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the incident.

[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