MMA 2025: Melon Music Awards announces date, venue, and revamped voting system
Recognized as one of the most influential year-end events in K-pop, the MMA honours the year's standout artists using Melon's annual streaming data, fan voting, and evaluations from music experts.
Judging criteria updated for "TOP10" category
This year, the MMA is introducing a new judging formula for its prestigious "TOP10" award. Previously calculated with 80% streaming data and 20% fan votes, the updated criteria will now include 60% streaming data, 20% fan votes, and 20% expert evaluation.
Kakao Entertainment explained the shift, saying: "Music consumption on Melon has become more diverse. We aim to spotlight the artists who truly defined the year, analyzing songs based on popularity, cultural impact, and overall quality."
The 2025 Melon Music Awards will be held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Incheon on December 20th, 2025. pic.twitter.com/ioqHbw2vVN
Meanwhile, for albums listed in Melon's Hall of Fame under the "Millionance Album" category, the criteria for the "Millionance Top 10" awards will remain unchanged - 80% based on streaming data and 20% on fan votes.
Ticket reservations now limited to paid members
In a further policy change, only paid Melon subscribers will be allowed to reserve tickets to the ceremony. This ends the previous system, which granted access to all users. The company stated that the move is part of a broader effort to reward long-term subscribers and prevent misuse through unofficial platforms.
"We aim to protect our members' rights by blocking unauthorized reservations and allowing more genuine fans to experience Korea's premier K-pop award show," Kakao Entertainment added.
What is MMA?
The Melon Music Awards (MMA) has grown to become one of the most prestigious K-pop award events, honoring artists' accomplishments using a combination of Melon's streaming data, user votes, and expert judgments. The MMA began online in 2005 and moved to real events by 2009, becoming a highly anticipated year-end festival for both fans and artists.
MMA, unlike many other award ceremonies, has acquired the term "the true home of K-pop," providing a dependable and fan-accessible celebration of the year in music.
Melon intends to connect music fans and build enthusiasm for MMA 2025 with a series of pre-event activities. These events will provide exclusive benefits, such as highly sought-after MMA tickets, to build excitement for the main ceremony.
Voting for the "TOP10" and numerous category awards will also take place, with more information and announcements being revealed gradually on the official MMA 2025 page on the Melon platform.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
6 hours ago
- Pink Villa
KPop Demon Hunters: BTS' Jungkook's Soda Pop cover earns BIG reaction from voice of Jinu, ‘Pointed out a mistake…'
KPop Demon Hunters is one of the most viral things to come out of 2025— we're looking at you, nine-toothed dolls— and anyone online would have caught a glimpse of the phenomenon by now. BTS have previously expressed their liking towards the movie, including impromptu covers and dance challenges. With 2 possible sequels and a live-action being eyed for the future of the story, it's unlikely that the connections would die down any time soon. It's no surprise that the stars behind the show have gotten utterly famous, and the man behind Jinu- not Ahn Hyo Seop - but the singer Andrew Choi, have gained a lot of fans. Reacting to Jungkook's cover of one of the songs in the Netflix film, he showered praise on the BTS member. KPop Demon Hunters star calls Jungkook a 'true vocalist' In a video shared by Straits Time Online, Andrew Choi, the 'The thing that I love about Jungkook is that he sings with such ease, which is a sign of a true vocalist. Jungkook's performance is 11 out of 10,' he said while reacting to a song cover of Soda Pop that the BTS member did casually during a livestream. Watching the video further, he noticed how a lyric error in the track was noticed by the K-pop star. 'Jungkook pointed out a mistake in the movie's OST Soda Pop. I didn't even notice it. No one seemed to have noticed it until Jungkook took a listen to it. So thank you, Jungkook, for that.' Moreover, another video showed the singer picking his own version of the Saja Boys lineup in real life. He started off with the BTS maknae Jungkook with his superstar power and all-rounder base, and then moved to another maknae from NCT, Mark, for his rapping skills. He continued by adding Cha Eun Woo for visuals, often believed to be the biggest inspiration for the character of Jinu, especially after his Free OST cover with Arden Cho, the voice actor for Rumi. Strong vocalists in the form of EXO's Baekyun or D.O. were his next pick, and adding to that DAY6's Young K, would form his version of the perfect demon group from the animated film.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Following his look or throwing shade? K-pop soloist Somi's post about ALLDAY PROJECT's Tarzzan sparks mixed reaction
K-pop idols Somi and ALLDAY PROJECT's Tarzzan - both signed under THEBLACKLABEL - have often found themselves at the center of controversy. While they've previously faced backlash for separate incidents, this time, they're both catching heat over something that involves them together. Somi recently sparked a firestorm online after posting a photo on her Instagram Story that appeared to reference Tarzzan's signature style. In the photo, she's seen sagging her pants to expose her underwear, tagging Tarzzan with the caption: "This is how you do it, right?" The post immediately drew attention, as Tarzzan is widely known for wearing pants low on his hips in a similar fashion. Somi recieves mixed reactions online The reaction was swift and divided. Many netizens criticized Somi's post, saying it ignored the origins of sagging pants and seemed to give Tarzzan credit for a style rooted in Black culture. Bro influencing other idols. Its over somi i try defending u girl but u make it way too hard ur on ur own mama Op deleted so im reposting. Jeon Somi, a soloist under The Black Label, sagged her pants and tagged Tarzzan of ALLDAY PROJECT, insinuating that she was following in his footsteps. The trend of sagging pants is said to originate from the culture of Black Americans. Others, however, believed she was throwing subtle shade at her labelmate, rather than supporting or mimicking him. somi lokwey shading that tarzzan dude and making fun of him and yall using this to start another hate train on her 🤣🤣 she's throwing shade but yall too slow Somi making fun of Tarzzan sagging on her ig story I cantttt😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 While it's unclear whether Somi was poking fun or paying homage, one thing is certain: fans believe both idols could benefit from taking a break from social media. she needs to delete social media More about Somi and Tarzzan Jeon Somi's upcoming mini-album, Chaotic and Confused, is officially set to arrive on August 11 at 6 PM KST. Teasing what's to come, the K-pop soloist unveiled the full tracklist on social media, sending fans into a frenzy. The EP includes five tracks: the previously released EXTRa, the title track Closer, and new additions Escapade, Chaotic & Confused, and DELU. With a mix of bold energy and emotional depth, this release promises to mark a defining moment in her musical evolution. Meanwhile, Tarzzan from ALLDAY PROJECT is under fire after a viral video surfaced showing him allegedly using a racial slur. In the clip, the 22-year-old idol appears rapping along to Playboi Carti's LIKE WEEZY during a car ride. Viewers claim he replaces the word "boy" with the N-word, igniting a wave of backlash and sparking renewed criticism across social media. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- NDTV
OTT And Theatrical Releases This Week: Freakier Friday, Wednesday Season 2 And More
New Delhi: This week is shaping up to be an exciting one for entertainment enthusiasts. A slew of new releases are hitting OTT platforms and theatres. From the Freakier Friday sequel, where Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan swap bodies once again, to the latest seasons of Wednesday, the latest offerings promise to deliver on every aspect of entertainment. Get your popcorn and gear up to binge-watch your new favourite shows and movies with your loved ones. Here's a look at what's new in the world of OTT and theatrical releases. Love Take Two (August 4) - TVN The K-drama narrates the story of a 43-year-old single mother, Lee Ji An and her 23-year-old medical student daughter, Lee Hyo Ri. The mother-daughter duo move to the countryside for a new beginning. The series perfectly blends elements of comedy, romance and slice-of-life, making it a heartwarming watch to enjoy with your loved ones. Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 (August 6) - Netflix Part 1 of the new season, consisting of four episodes, will witness Wednesday Addams making her return to Nevermore Academy as she gets drawn into a new supernatural mystery. The second part, also featuring four episodes, will be released on September 3, 2025. The season is described as "darker and more complex" with more horror elements. The Pickup (August 6) - Prime Video The film centres on Russell (played by Eddie Murphy) and Travis (played by Pete Davidson), two armoured truck drivers involved in a seemingly routine cash pickup. However, the situation takes a drastic turn when they are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by the cunning Zoe (played by Keke Palmer), who has intentions far beyond simply stealing the cash. Platonic Season 2 (August 6) - Apple TV Plus The show revolves around two best friends, played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, as they navigate midlife challenges. The second season picks up with the duo facing new hurdles, including careers, relationships, and partners in crises. It explores themes of boundaries in friendships and the challenges of maintaining adult friendships amidst life changes. Heer Express (August 8) - Theatres The story centres around Heer, a young, ambitious girl passionate about cooking. She dreams of opening her own restaurant and travels to London to pursue this ambition. However, she faces numerous challenges along the way as she tries to overcome obstacles and bring the magic of Indian flavours across borders. Freakier Friday (August 8) - Theatres The film is a sequel to the popular 2003 film Freaky Friday. It features a multi-generational twist on the classic body-swap story, bringing back the beloved mother-daughter duo of Tess and Anna Coleman, played by Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Salakaar (August 8) - Jio Hotstar The series centres around a young Indian spy on a covert mission that uncovers hidden truths and national secrets. The story spans two timelines: one set in 1987 and the other in 2025, both focusing on the threat of nuclear war. It explores the themes of espionage, sacrifice, and patriotism. Our Golden Days (August 9) - KBS2 The K-drama focuses on the contrasting lives of older and newer generations within a family, as they learn to understand and share each other's pain. The story revolves around Lee Ji-hyeok, a cold but successful individual who finds the true meaning of life after facing a difficult period, and Ji Eun-oh, a passionate and optimistic woman who stands by him despite a past rejection.
