“Like idols aren’t overworked enough”— Internet divided over the announcement of 2024 MAMA Awards to be held in Los Angeles, USA

On July 18, 2024, CJ ENM confirmed that the 2024 MAMA Awards will reportedly be held in Los Angeles USA for the first time in history. K-pop's largest annual year-end music award is expected to be held at the Dolby Theatres on November 21, 2024 (PST), and then move to Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan for a two-day act on November 22 and 23.

Since Japan will be 17 hours ahead of the U.S. West Coast time zone, the events might overlap each other or could be consecutive. However, the time, artist setlist, and show specifics are yet to be revealed.

The Korean media and entertainment company CJ ENM declared that the choice to have concerts and award shows on both sides of the Pacific Ocean is crucial in uniting K-pop fans worldwide. However, K-pop fans were divided as the news surfaced online. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

Netizens weren't pleased with the news of the 2024 MAMA Awards being held in the United States. Some pointed out that the Dolby Theatre can only hold about 3,400 people, making it an unsuitable location for an awards presentation.

Others brought up the recently released KOMCA criteria, which stated hosting Korean awards preferably in South Korea.

"The venue choice for LA is a bit disappointing. Selecting a venue that only holds a max of 3,300? Were places like the Rose Bowl(capacity of 89,000) or Dodger Stadium(capacity 56,000) not available? Why was such a small venue selected?," one X user wrote.

"Wait, recently wasnt the korean goverment said they dont wanna make anymore KOREAN awards event OUTSIDE korea cause doesnt make sense?? What happend with that?," another X user commented.

"That doesn’t make sense?? and is only gonna be a stress factor on the idols themselves," one netizen added.

"Why the Dolby Theater though… it’s small and holds only like 4000 people. I get the Grammy’s are held there but the Crypto Arena or Kia Forum would be better," another X user wrote.

However, a few X user expressed their excitement about the award show being held at Dolby Theatre. Some fans were giddy with anticipation, hoping for their favorite musicians to perform live and win the 2024 MAMA Daesang Award.

"And if SVT wins on mama this year, that means, shua will receive it in his hometown and woozi will receive it on or around his birthday. That would be sooooo amazing gift for joshua, woozi and seventeen," one fan wrote.

"Honestly I think this years lineup won’t disappoint me bc I stan lots of 5th gen groups so I will def tune in this time. I haven’t tuned in properly since 2020-2021 bc every lineup after that was," another fan said.

"MAMA awards coming to LA? that's crazy cool. I'm so excited for this year's show," another netizen added.

"Whoever wonder why US and Japan (again) being the venue event: it's simply because both US and Japan are the 1st and 2nd largest music market in the world respectively," another fan wrote.

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CJ ENM intends to unite the global K-pop fanbase by hosting the 2024 MAMA Awards at the Dolby Theatre, USA

The theme for the 2024 MAMA Awards is reported to be "BIG BLUR: WHAT IS REAL?" The official X account of MAMA Awards posted a new poster for the annual year-end award show with the concept title.

CJ ENM stated that through the combination of art and technology, audiences will be able to witness visually appealing performances in addition to unique special stage acts. CJ ENM Head of Music Entertainment, Harry H.K. Shin, told Variety on July 17:

“The 2024 edition of the MAMA AWARDS will have a wide array of K-pop performances with visuals and sounds that will make you feel as if you’re in another reality beyond space and time."

In 2023, popular K-pop group SEVENTEEN took home the Daesang Award at the MAMA Awards, which was held on November 28 and 29, 2023, at Tokyo Dome, Japan.

The group won the Album of the Year for FML alongside other MAMA Awards such as the Best Male Group, and Best Dance Performance (Male Group) for Super. Additionally, SEVENTEEN also took home the trophies for BIBIGO Culture & Style Award and the Worldwide Fans' Choice at the 2023 MAMA Awards.

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In other news, K-pop groups took over 6 slots out of the top 10 midyear CD album sales rankings in the United States, according to Luminate's midyear list of the best-selling CD albums of 2024. The 6 K-pop acts are SEVENTEEN, TWICE, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, and TXT.

Digital download albums and other formats were not included in the list while determining the ranking of CD sales.