Predictions for MAMA 2023.
Another year in K-pop is coming to an end; let's see which groups and idols deserve to be crowned the best of the year.
retrieved from MAMA’s official website.
As 2023 comes to an end, we welcome another exciting year of the Mnet Asian Music Awards. The Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) is a primary K-pop-focused annual award show. This is one of the most prominent award shows in the industry and features performances and special stage collaborations by the groups and soloists during the two-day event. This year has been very impressive for K-pop, as many rookie groups from last year are now cementing themselves in the industry and globally. As K-pop expands to the global market and with the break of BTS due to military obligation, the award show has been the most open it has been in years.
The quantity of sales, streams, and judges' votes generally determine the awards. This means that the predicted wins will be selected more objectively than subjectively. In addition, since this is a South Korean-based award show, Korean sales and streams are weighted more heavily than international votes. I will explain why a particular group deserves to win due to these factors. Additionally, based on the nominees presented, I will give my opinions on who should win.
All the nominees for each category are linked here, as many of the categories have over a dozen nominees!
Artist of the Year
Predicted: NewJeans
The rapid rise of NewJeans is simply unprecedented in K-pop; since the surprising release of their first single, “Attention,” the group has hit the ground running and has never looked back. With their major releases this year of “OMG” and their mini album Get Up, their music can be heard all over the world, from viral trends on TikTok to Google ads to the radio in stores. With a performance at Lollapalooza within their first year of their debut, the future is bright for one of the largest groups in the industry.
Author's Choice: IVE
IVE is a group that has continued delivering great music since their debut. However, there was always a big question with IVE of whether they could deliver more than two-song mini albums and show that they have a great, more extended project. The release of I’ve IVE proved that they could. IVE had a massive year, as they have run the South Korean charts, picking up three “Perfect All Kills” (when a song is charting in real-time at number one on all major Korean streaming platforms) and multiple high charting songs, proving that their success doesn’t just come from the notability of their members but, the musical talent the group provides. They have built their brand both in Korea and internationally with their first World Tour coming soon.
Song of the Year
Predicted: “Ditto” by NewJeans
Author's Choice: “Ditto” by NewJeans
At the tail end of last year, NewJeans released “Ditto” as a prerelease to their upcoming mini “OMG.” Little did they know that “Ditto” would confirm that NewJeans was ready to become one of the most dominant groups in K-pop. “Ditto” is a simple yet complex song, as the instrumental is minimal compared to other songs in their discography. This is mixed with a haunting yet upbeat vocal performance. The song has an infectious nature and holds the record for the longest Perfect All Kill in Korean music history, defining the dominance of NewJeans in 2023.
Album of the Year
Predicted: FML by Seventeen
The lack of BTS as an active group this year (as the members are finishing their obligation to serve in the Korean military) has allowed other groups to get more recognition. FML is Seventeen's answer to this opportunity. With its title track, “Super,” the mini-album has an infectious energy that can be found throughout the project. The project broke many records at the time of its release. It shows both the dedication of Carats (Seventeen’s fan base) and the expansion of the genre.
Author's Choice: I’ve IVE by IVE
I’ve IVE is an album that highlights everything great about IVE. The album explores many different sounds, from the posh nature of “I Am” to the kitsch aesthetic of “Kitsch.” From top to bottom, each song is unique and unlike the rest. It is an album that answers that question from early on. Can you give us a larger sample size? My answer was yes.
I’ve IVE album cover.
Worldwide Icon of the Year
Predicted: BTS
You don’t become the largest boy group without being beloved in the community. Even in a year when the group has not been releasing loads of music together, I would not be surprised if they took home this award anyway. In addition, if we add all of the work the members have been doing on their own while the group is on break, the argument only gets stronger. That, and the fan vote should, and probably will, allow the award to go to BTS.
Author's Choice: BTS
I would give this award to the group simply for their members’ individual accomplishments throughout the year. They continue to grow their brands and make BTS an even better-known entity throughout entertainment. They are the face of K-pop; even as someone who is not ARMY (BTS’s fan base), I can respect their accomplishments.
Best Male Artist
Predicted: Jungkook
Author's Choice: Jungkook
Out of all the BTS members, Jungkook has had the largest and most successful year. “Seven, “3D,” and his recent release, Golden, show that he can release a significant quantity of music that will be popular. The crazy part about Jungkook is that, due to the date restriction for this award show, not all of his projects’ streams and sales are counted for the awards.“3D” and Golden missed the deadline, which means that he would have had a better chance of winning every category he was nominated for if they were counted.
Best Female Artist
Predicted: Jisoo
Being in BLACKPINK has its perks. Jisoo was the last of the four members to release a solo project; fans have been waiting years for it. When it finally did release, of course, it did numbers. Her first single, “Flower,” broke countless records, as she was the first female solo artist to break over a million records sold in the first week of its debut. “Flower” was an exclamation point on the dominance of BLACKPINK.
Author's Choice: Jihyo
Jihyo has had a fantastic year. With two large group projects, her anticipated solo project “Kill Me Good,” and going on a world tour, the main vocalist of TWICE showed why she is one of the top idols in the industry. Her solo project was terrific, demonstrating her vocal range and on-stage charisma to its fullest potential.
Best Male Group
Predicted: Seventeen
It has been an active year for Seventeen. With the massive commercial successes of their mini albums, their subunit BSS’s song “Fighting,” and growing their name globally, they have been one of the most successful boy groups this year, and their dedicated fan base has helped them achieve many records.
Author's Choice: EXO
Being in an older group is hard, especially when the members have been in-and-out of the military for many years. It can take a lot of work to start back up where you left off. EXO was able to outdo themselves in their first full group realization in years, with many members delivering fantastic solo projects and an exceptional group album highlighting all the group's strengths. From outstanding vocals to excellent production, EXO proved why they are one of the best groups to ever debut.
Best Female Group
Predicted: NewJeans
This was a massive year for the group. Their music has already spread past the K-pop fandom, the group and members' brands have exploded in popularity, and they are only three months into their second year of being a group. Their ceiling will not be found for years to come, and they have the potential to become the most popular girl group in the history of music.
New Jeans 2nd EP “Get Up” album cover.
Author's Choice: IVE
IVE has had one of the most historic years for any K-pop group. Every single release this year has been such a good listen. With the volume that they’ve released music, IVE have made sure to focus on maintaining the quality of their projects. IVE has been up there domestically and internationally with other big hitters like New Jeans, and building off the success of last year with “Love Dive,” IVE has proven that they are here to stay as a top group in K-pop.
Best New Male Artist
Predicted: ZEROBASEONE
Mnet survival shows and the groups they create have always had lots of hype when they debut. ZEROBASEONE has a long way to go in their limited time as a group. However, they are on the right track to building up their legacy amongst other Mnet survival show groups like IOI, WannaOne, and IZ*ONE.
Author's Choice: RIIZE
With the next generation of SM boy groups debuting, RIIZE have set themselves up for a bright future. If the music and talent stay consistent, they will be like their predecessors in both popularity and quality. RIIZE has had a fantastic year, even within the short time since their debut, and it will be exciting to see where they go into the future.
Best New Female Artist
Predicted: tripleS
This year's category was less stacked than last year. However, last year was an outlier in the number of debut mega groups. One group that is getting their flowers is tripleS. Following the NCT format of having one large group and multiple subunits, tripleS has delivered more music than any other group this year.
Author's Choice: KISS OF LIFE
KISS OF LIFE has been a spectacular group this year. Their music is unique, and the multi-faceted talents of their members show in their music. They are a group of people who have been in and around the industry for years, allowing them to feel more veteran than they are. This year's ultimate highlight for the group is the solo song of member Natty, “Sugarcoat.” “Sugarcoat” is one of my top songs of the year, as it easily fits into the 90s and 00s R&B sound. This group has the potential to become big if they stay on the right track.
Best Music Video
Predicted: “Seven” by Jungkook ft. Latto
“Seven” is a fun music video that follows Jungkook chasing his love interest worldwide. With exceptional set pieces and a great sense of humor, “Seven”’s music video does its job of telling the song's story.
Author's Choice: “I AM” by IVE
As a music video, “I AM” does its job best in this category, from incredible editing, to spot-on concept, and amazing shots and visuals. This music video screams posh and rich. There is an amazing moment at the song's climax where the group members walk a long runway, and the grand nature of the moment is an exclamation point for the theme. The editing is amazing with great use of CGI and shots on set. With crisp and smooth editing, these small moments help build the music video's atmosphere.
For the next few categories, I will only provide my predictions and personal choices with no additional commentary.
Best Vocal Performance Solo
Predicted: “Love Me Again” by V
Author's Choice: “Let’s Break Up” by Parc Jae Jung
Best Vocal Performance Group
Predicted: “Love Lee” by AKMU
Author's Choice: “Love Lee” by AKMU
Best Collaboration
Predicted: “Seven” by Jungkook ft. Latto
Author's Choice: “Fighting” by BSS ft. Lee Young Ji
Best Dance Performance, Male Solo
Predicted: “Seven” by Jungkook ft. Latto
Author's Choice: “Rover” by Kai
Best Dance Performance, Female Solo
Predicted: “Flower” by Jisoo
Author's Choice: “Knock” by Lee Chae Yeon
Best Dance Performance Male Group
Predicted: “Super” by Seventeen
Author's Choice: “Super” by Seventeen
Best Dance Performance Female Group
Predicted: “Ditto” by New Jeans
Author's Choice: “Ditto” by New Jeans
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Performance
Predicted: “On the Street” by J-hope ft. J Cole
Author's Choice: “People Pt 2” Agust D ft. IU
Best OST (original soundtrack)
Predicted: “Planet” by BTS
Author's Choice: “Heaven” by Lim Jae Hyun
2023 has been a crucial year for the K-pop industry. The genre has only become more popular and important to the global consciousness. The MAMA awards are here to celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of groups and individuals who work tirelessly to provide music and entertainment to their fans. Feel free to support all the groups who were nominated this year by checking out their music on streaming platforms!
edited by Nico Stefanov.
MAMA logo retrieved from MAMA’s official website.
album artwork believed to belong to either the publisher of the work or the artist.
