Big music awards to bypass Korea again

MAMA is looking for domestic and overseas correspondents. Capture from Facebook of M COUNTDOWN X M2

By Dong Sun-hwa

The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) may take place in three countries again ― this time in Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong ― in December, but not Korea.

MAMA organizers are now checking artists' schedules, according to the Ilgan Sports news outlet Wednesday, citing an industry source.

MAMA dubs itself “Asia's No. 1 Music Festival,” with the hottest Korean celebrities ― such as EXO, BTS, TWICE, Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-gum ― appearing as performers and presenters.

However, it has upset Korean fans for not holding the ceremony in Korea, although Koreans win most awards.

MAMA is the flagship music awards ceremony hosted by entertainment giant CJ E&M. It first took place in 1999 under the name “Mnet Music Video Festival.” It changed its name to the current one in 2009.

The ceremony has been held in many countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Vietnam.