The nominees for all categories of MAMA 2023 have been officially revealed
2023 MAMA promises to be a battleground of fierce competition among K-pop artists. Two global icons BLACKPINK and BTS are absent from many categories. In their place, members of BTS, and Jisoo, have been nominated as soloists. Meanwhile, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, and EXO are representing the 3rd generation.
Controversy Surrounds the Best New Artist Category
Among 2023 rookie groups, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, and ZEROBASEONE are the most prominent rookie boy groups. Meanwhile, FIFTY FITY with the global hit, “Cupid,” is the only outstanding rookie girl group. However, due to their legal dispite with their agency, FIFTY FIFTY missed out on MAMA nominations, sparking a heated debate.
Among the rookie girl group nominees, which include tripleS and LimeLight, FIFTY FIFTY’s absence has been the most contentious. Unfortunately, the ongoing dispute has left the group’s career at a standstill. While some argue that MAMA’s decision not to nominate FIFTY FIFTY for Best New Artist is justified, others find it unjust.
HYBE Artists: High Expectations for Victory
HYBE artists are dominating the majority of categories at MAMA 2023. Notably, in the solo nominations, three BTS members – V, Jimin, and Jungkook – are present. Jungkook, in particular, is the strongest contender among BTS members, thanks to the worldwide success of his solo single “Seven”.
NewJeans has secured several Daesang nominations and multiple other awards. As the top girl group in terms of digital achievements, NewJeans has achieved fame both in Korea and internationally with a string of chart-topping hits. Their EP, “Get Up,” and their hit track, “Ditto,” are prime candidates for major awards.
TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and SEVENTEEN have also made their presence felt in various important categories.
SEVENTEEN is Most Likely to Win the Daesang?
After winning the Daesang at The Fact Music Awards, SEVENTEEN has continued to impress, with numerous nominations from MAMA. Notably, in the Daesang categories, SEVENTEEN is seen as a strong candidate to sweep the Album of the Year and Artist of the Year awards, thanks to their exceptional achievements in 2023.
The Artist of the Year award takes into account 20% judges’ scores, 40% download/streaming of songs (25% from South Korea and 15% from global sources), and 40% album sales. In the Album of the Year category, the criteria consist of 20% judges’ scores and 80% album sales, with the majority of the chances of winning attributed to album sales. Given that SEVENTEEN sold over 10 million copies within 8 months, the group is viewed as the frontrunner for the Daesang.
While some argue that SEVENTEEN’s streaming performance falls short compared to girl groups, others point out that their overall achievements have been impressive. SEVENTEEN and their sub-unit, BSS, have maintained stable digital rankings. Their title tracks, “Super” and “Fighting” (BSS), have accumulated over 132 million streams and over 61 million streams on Spotify, respectively.
SEVENTEEN has demonstrated outstanding achievements across various areas in 2023. As a result, fans and netizens alike are convinced that the group’s current nominations are well-deserved. Their mini-album, “FML,” which sold over 6.2 million copies, is a top contender for Album of the Year.
Will Jisoo Make History for BLACKPINK?
Despite BLACKPINK’s international success, the group has yet to secure a Daesang award 7 years into their debut. This year, Jisoo made her solo debut and secures a place in some of the highest nominations. Jisoo’s stellar achievements with “Flower” have raised hopes that she can win big at MAMA.
If Jisoo manages to win a Daesng, it would mark the first time that a BLACKPINK member has held the Daesang trophy, with Jisoo winning as a solo artist.
As MAMA 2023 unfolds, fans will eagerly await the results of these important categories.
Important Categories at MAMA 2023:
- Best Male Group: EXO; NCT DREAM; SEVENTEEN; Stray Kids; TOMORROW X TOGETHER; TREASURE
- Best Female Group: (G)I-DLE; aespa; IVE; LE SSERAFIM; NewJeans; TWICE
- Best Male Artist: Jimin (BTS); Jungkook (BTS); Lim Young Woong; Park Jae Jung; Taeyang; V (BTS)
- Best Female Artist: Hwasa; Jeon Somi; Jihyo (TWICE); Jisoo (BLACKPINK); Lee Chaeyeon; Yena
- Daesang:
- Artist of the Year, criteria: 20% judges + 40% download/streaming of songs (25% South Korea + 15% global), 40% album sales.
- Nominations:
- (G)I-DLE; ADYA; aespa; BOYNEXTDOOR; EL7Z UP; EVNNE; EXO; HWASA; IVE; Jeon Somi, Jihyo; Jimin; Jisoo; Jungkook; KISS OF LIFE; LE SSERAFIM; LEE CHAE YEON; Lim Young Woong; LIMELIGHT; NCT DREAM; NewJeans; Parc Jae Jung; RIIZE; SEVENTEEN; Stray Kids; Taeyang; TXT; TREASURE; tripleS; TWICE; V; xikers; Yena; ZEROBASEONE
- Album of the Year, criteria: 20% judges + 80% album sales.
- Nominees: “I Feel” – (G)I-DLE; “MY WORLD” – aespa; “D-DAY” – Agust D; “Hopeless Romantic” – Big Naughty; “WIND AND WISH” – BTOB; “7+UP” – EL7Z UP; “Target: ME” – EVNNE; “EXIST” – EXO; “I’ve IVE” – IVE; “GAME PLAN” – JEON SOMI; “ZONE” – JIHYO; “FACE” – JIMIN; “Rover” – KAI; “KISS OF LIFE” – KISS OF LIFE; “UNFORGIVEN” – LE SSERAFIM; “Over The Moon” – Lee Chae Yeon; “LOVE & HAPPINESS” – LIMELIGHT; “ISTJ” – NCT DREAM; “Get Up” – NewJeans; “Alone” – Parc Jae Jung; “FML” – SEVENTEEN; “TEENFRESH” – STAYC; “5-STAR” – Stray Kids; “Down to Earth” – TAEYANG; “SHALALA” – TAEYONG; “The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION” – TXT; “REBOOT” – TREASURE; “ASSEMBLE” – tripleS; “READY TO BE” – TWICE; “Layover” – V; “House Of Tricky: How To Play” – xikers; “YOUTH IN THE SHADE” – ZEROBASEONE
- Song of the Year, criteria: 20% judges + 80% song downloads/streaming (50% South Korea + 30% worldwide).
- Nominees: “Queencard” – (G)I-DLE; “Spicy” – aespa; “People Pt.2” – Agust D feat. IU; “Love Lee” – AKMU; “Expectations” – Anne-Marie, MINNIE; “Goodbye” – ASH ISLAND feat. Paul Blanco; “Hopeless Romantic” – Big Naughty feat. Lee Su Hyun; “With me” – Big Naughty; “Fighting” – BSS feat. Lee Young Ji; “Wind And Wish” – BTOB; “Take Two” – BTS; “The Planet” – BTS; “Dear My Light” – DAWN; “I Love My Body” – HWASA; “I AM” by IVE; “on the street” – j-hope with. J. Cole; “Candy” – Jay Park feat. Zion.T; “Fast Forward” – JEON SOMI; “Killin’ Me Good” – JIHYO; “Like Crazy” – JIMIN; “FLOWER” – JISOO; “Seven” – JUNGKOOK; “Rover” – KAI; “UNFORGIVEN” – LE SSERAFIM; “KNOCK” – Lee Chae Yeon; “Ordinary Confession” – Lee Mujin; “Heaven (2023)” – Lim Jae Hyun; “London Boy” – Lim Young Woong; “Eternity” – M.C The Max; “Shining Day” – MeloMance; “Ay-Yo” – NCT 127; “Candy” – NCT DREAM; “Ditto” – NewJeans; “Let’s Say Goodbye” – Parc Jae Jung; “You Remember” – Paul Kim; “Super” – SEVENTEEN; “Teddy Bear” – STAYC; “S-Class” – Stray Kids; “VIBE” – TAEYANG feat. JIMIN; “SHALALA” – TAEYONG; “Goodbye Now” – TXT; “Sugar Rush Ride” by TXT; “Love Me Again” – V; “In Bloom” – ZEROBASEONE; “CHRISTIAN” – Zior Park
