The 2024 MAMA AWARDS has officially made its debut in the U.S. On Nov. 21, K-pop fans gathered at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, CA., to celebrate 25 years of the MAMA AWARDS and, of course, to see their favorites live.
However, earlier in the day, POP TOKKI had the opportunity to speak with RIIZE about the 2024 MAMA AWARDS:
POP TOKKI: What do you hope the audience will feel or take away from tonight’s performance?
ANTON: Especially since it’s an award ceremony and it’s not only our fans, tonight might be our chance at giving a good first impression to some people that never seen our performance before. So, I think as Wonbin mentioned earlier, I think our main goal is for tonight’s MAMA’s performance to show a different side or something like – how much we’ve grown since last year as artists, and I think it will be a different vibe than last year. Hopefully, you guys will be a little surprised at the performance.
2024 MAMA AWARDS SHOW
The 2024 MAMA AWARDS in the U.S. was filled with rising artists like RIIZE, TWS, ILLIT and veterans like JYP. Packed with celebrities such as Park Bo Gum as the host and award presenters Lance Bass of N’SYNC filmmaker Lee Issac Chung and more, it made for the MAMA AWARDS “Big Blur” concept as the lines were blurred between Western culture and Korean culture brought together by music.
The night was full of nonstop eye-catching performances, like KATSEYE performing alongside the Los Angeles RAMS cheerleaders, showcasing their skills as a new global girl group. Despite Manon being absent due to being sick, KATSEYE still slayed this performance. YOUNG POSSE filled the stage with a flow of hip-hop high-energy performance, a perfect way to start the show, while TWS opened with a small tribute to BTS’s “Dynamite.” ILLIT, TWS, RIIZE, and JYP performed their hit singles such as “MAGNETIC”, “PLOT TWIST”, “GET A GUITAR” and “SHE WAS PRETTY”. It was a night full of colorful and energetic performances.
Among four categories presented in Los Angeles at the MAMA AWARDS, RIIZE won for Favorite Global Performer. ILLIT won Best New Female Group, making it a night to remember for many firsts, including the first-ever U.S. performance, the first-ever MAMA performance, and the first-ever MAMA AWARD. TWS won two awards for Best New Male Group and Best Dance Performance Group, and JYP won the Inspiring Achievement Award after a fun closing-out performance set with Anderson .Paak.
What was your favorite performance at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS? Let us know on our Instagram and X.
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Featured Image Credit: CJ EMN
