As the 2025 MAMA Awards unfolded on November 28 at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, I-DLE received the prestigious Fans’ Choice award at the 2025 MAMA Awards, held on November 28 at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.

The Fans’ Choice award is determined through 90% Mnet Plus votes and 10% Twitter (X) votes, with winners selected through first and second-round voting. A total of 20 artists—10 male and 10 female—receive the award.

Marking the group’s 7th anniversary, the members had recently changed their team name from (G)I-DLE to I-DLE, making this the first time they received the award under the new name. Standing at the microphone, the group expressed gratitude to fans, saying, “We sincerely thank Neverland for always loving and supporting us, no matter the time or place.”

They also paid tribute to the recent Hong Kong fire tragedy, adding, “It is an honor to receive this award in Hong Kong, but our hearts are heavy. Many are surely going through difficult times right now, and we pray for peace to come swiftly to Hong Kong. We hope our hearts can bring a small comfort.”

Member Yuqi, from Beijing, shared her own thoughts, “It is an honor and a privilege to receive this award. We are always grateful to our fans. Our team will continue to work hard and repay your love with better performances. Today, we performed with nervous hearts as well. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by the incident. We hope our sincerest feelings reach those impacted. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the families who have suffered losses. If we have the means and the ability, we hope to help them.”

The fire occurred on November 26 at the high-rise apartment complex Wong Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. As of November 28, 128 people had died and 79 were injured. Organizers CJ ENM arranged a moment of remembrance in line with local mourning and pledged donations to support the victims.

However, I-DLE also faced backlash for their stage outfits during the performance of “Good Thing.” The group, comprising Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua, delivered a rock-inspired rendition of the track, but critics argued that the revealing costumes were inappropriate during a time of national mourning.

Member Minnie particularly caught attention by wearing what appeared to be a bra-like top, layered only with a jacket, which she dramatically opened during her solo part. Fellow members Soyeon and Shuhua also wore outfits that accentuated their chest lines, while Miyeon exuded elegance in a gown and Yuqi went for a more hip, streetwear-inspired look.

The group’s bold stage presence, though in line with the performance’s concept, stood in stark contrast to the somber atmosphere surrounding the event. On November 26, a fire at Wong Fuk Court, a high-rise apartment complex in Tai Po, claimed nearly 100 lives, making it one of Hong Kong’s deadliest recent tragedies.

In response to the tragedy, the MAMA Awards made several programming changes:

  • The red carpet was canceled
  • Chinese stars Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat, scheduled to present awards, withdrew from the event
  • A moment of silence was held at the start of the show

Critics argue that I-DLE’s styling did not align with the tone of national grief. Online forums and media commentators questioned the lack of sensitivity in the performance, especially given the international platform and timing.

While I-DLE has not released an official statement, the situation has reignited broader conversations about styling standards, cultural awareness, and appropriateness in global K-pop performances during times of crisis.