“Sabotage on broad daylight”- Fans outraged by last-minute criteria changes at 2024 MAMA Awards as SEVENTEEN leads 'Album of the Year' predictions

On October 10, 2024, SEVENTEEN fans were frustrated by CJ ENM's new criteria for the '2024 MAMA Awards' in the 'Album of the Year' category. Previously, 80% of the award was based on album sales, favoring SEVENTEEN's Seventeenth Heaven, which sold over 5.7 million copies.

However, the 2024 awards will now consider factors beyond sales, such as production quality, visuals, and industry impact.

This shift makes the outcome less certain, frustrating fans who believed SEVENTEEN had the award secured based on past criteria. With the event set to take place from November 21 to 23 in Los Angeles and Osaka, many fans viewed the last-minute changes as unfair, accusing the organization of sabotaging the group's chances.

Social media platforms were flooded with fans voicing their disappointment and calling out the changes. A user on X, @SvntnYoon1004 wrote,

"They just don't want a Sure win for SVT, they kept on changing criteria whenever Seventeen is on the lead, You are so obvious MAMA, Sabotage on broad daylight."

"It just another way to say how to rigged it without rigged it...," a fan commented.

"And how many idols/groups have been robbed of their rightful awards because of MAMA changing the criteria on the last minute in the past years? How many fandoms have cried and wished MAMA to hell? A show hands please," a fan wrote.

"Just say u don’t want svt to win :))," a person remarked.

"changing it when tracking period has already ended. They can't even wait to change it for next yr's show instead. Oh MAMA. you are forever a snake," an X user wrote.

Some fans, despite the frustration over the criteria changes, remained optimistic, suggesting that SEVENTEEN should still win the 'Album of the Year' award. The supporters believe the group's work stands out in all aspects, making them worthy of the award under the new standards as well.

"Still Svt deserve the the album of the award. Not only quantity, quality wise also svt album stood apart...Music wise, production wise theme wise everything makes Svt album qualify for the award," a user wrote on X.

"ok, but let's talk about the visual and artistic aspects of SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN because that's like the most cohesive concept and physical art rollout for svt. The physical album, music video, performance, and track curation is one of the best out there in kpop," a fan mentioned.

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2024 MAMA Awards introduce 'Best Choreography' category while 'Album of the Year' changes disappoint SEVENTEEN fans

Fans of K-pop have expressed mixed reactions following the announcement of changes to the criteria for the 'Album of the Year' award at the upcoming 2024 MAMA Awards.

Many expected the group to secure the award with their album Seventeenth Heaven, which sold over 5.7 million copies in 2023. Other top-selling artists include Stray Kids, ENHYPEN, BTS’ Jungkook, TXT, and NCT DREAM, further highlighting the competitive nature of the award under the new criteria.

In addition to the 'Album of the Year' criteria change, a new category, 'Best Choreography', has been introduced. This award will honour choreographers and performers whose work has significantly contributed to K-pop's global success.

The nomination broadcast, where nominees for each category will be revealed, is set for October 14 at 6 PM KST and will be accessible globally via Mnet and YouTube.

Meanwhile, MAMA has also unveiled the concept for this year’s awards, titled "BIG BLUR: What is Real?"—a theme that explores the breakdown of boundaries between industries and the fusion of music, cultures, and art.

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The 2024 MAMA Awards will also be notable as the first time the ceremony is held in the United States, taking place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on November 21, followed by events at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan, on November 22 and 23.