MAMA Facing Difficulties With International Venues This Year
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), the largest Asian awards ceremony held every year by CJ E&M, is currently facing difficulties in determining site locations.
As Korea-Japan relations are currently tense and with the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, it is uncertain where the awards will be held this year (Hong Kong has been a location for the awards ceremony since 2012).
MAMA included Japan as a site location starting in 2017 and, in 2018, the awards ceremony was held in Korea, then Japan, and finally in Hong Kong. At the Japanese awards ceremony, many top celebrities were present, including actors like Park Bo Gum.
Every year, MAMA has announced the locations in August, but this year, Mnet has stated that the Asian venues are still under review. MAMA is held every December, which means there are four months left until the ceremony. Awards, events, and nominees will also need to be screened by this time.
Japan is one of the biggest markets in the Hallyu wave, but it is very uncertain whether the relationship between Japan and Korea will be mended by this time.
It is currently unsuitable to host the ceremony in Hong Kong due to the continous protests and riots with the police. Because of this, it is highly unlikely that Hong Kong will be selected as a venue.