What You Did not See on TV at 2024 MAMA Awards

On a media day the morning earlier than the inaugural MAMA Awards US, reporters heard feedback and requested questions of J.Y. Park, RIIZE, and the pinnacle of CJ ENM conference enterprise Park Chan Uk.

A significant theme across the press convention was Ok-pop persevering with to unfold internationally, which Park, the founder and largest shareholder of JYP Leisure, mentioned was being accomplished by fastidiously created localized acts. The producer shared plans for JYP lady group VCHA, created on a actuality program A2K [America to Korea], and launched a collection of singles from late 2023 till March of this 12 months.

“We’re getting ready for full actions subsequent 12 months for VCHA,” Park mentioned. “Our plan is to distinguish this group from our present Ok-pop artists with particular and distinctive contents. The prep interval is taking somewhat longer than common as a result of the preparation effort is taking longer than anticipated.”

Park shared extra about his imaginative and prescient in a follow-up query about VCHA.

“I wished to verify they’re not Ok-pop so far as music and visuals,” he added. “Despite the fact that they’re produced by a Ok-pop firm, I don’t need them to be Ok-pop; I would like them to be what they’re. They’re not born and raised in Korea, they’re not influenced by Korean tradition, they’re gifted youngsters who’re born and raised right here [in the United States]. We are attempting to verify the subsequent upcoming album is themselves. Not like our Ok-pop and Korean artists, I feel the artistic groups will probably be a mixture with American producers, musicians, choreographers, and ensuring it’s them. It’s going to be very totally different. The brand new music, the album, the brand new video will probably be very totally different from JYP.”

Whereas seating preparations at award reveals are usually a enjoyable, sizzling matter, the Ok-pop acts attending the MAMA Awards US tended to be in a relentless state of flux off-camera. All through the night time, followers noticed artist attendees like RIIZE, TWS, Younger Posse, ILLIT, KATSEYE and shifting seats relying on who was leaving to carry out or returning to their seats. Whereas American reveals are likely to favor seat fillers as a substitute of shifting celeb seats, the massive quantity of shifting and shifting between the celebs nonetheless noticed the televised manufacturing look flawlessly produced to viewers.

As somebody who is aware of a factor or two about music award reveals, *NSYNC member Lance Bass offered the award for Favourite International Performer Male to his boy band friends in RIIZE and made essentially the most of his time at MAMA’s inaugural stateside present. Whereas his dressing room was on the identical ground as visitor presenters like Dustin Hoffman, the star shared some respectful bows with RIIZE after the band’s successful speech and linked up with the night time’s host, actor Park Bo-Gum, to take images collectively.

Whereas followers nonetheless grapple with final month’s information that authentic group member Seunghan wouldn’t be returning to RIIZE after his many months of hiatus (with an announcement final week from the label SM Leisure that the singer would as a substitute debut as a soloist in 2025), native followers in Los Angeles tried to boost their voices for the 21-year-old — to various outcomes.

These outdoors the venue have been making their emotions clear (a number of individuals held a big banner that learn “Idols Are Human SM Defend Seunghan”) whereas holding flags and indicators with Seunghan’s face. Nevertheless, these attending inside have been discovering pushback and points from the venue over RIIZE-related merchandise.

Throughout social media, RIIZE followers documented what they are saying have been supplies that supported something associated to the group as seven members or associated Seunghan — in addition to some that didn’t — have been being confiscated or barred from coming into. Some followers even reported that something coloured orange (the group’s unofficial colour) wasn’t allowed into the venue. Contained in the Dolby Theatre, Billboard did see venue staff taking totally different supplies from followers by the night time.

In a touching second from the night time, RIIZE member Anton appeared to acknowledge the fan wrestle whereas nonetheless exhibiting them love in his portion of the group’s acceptance speech for Favourite International Performer Male.

“We actually are grateful for our followers for being there for us,” the East Coast native informed the viewers. “Loads has occurred within the one 12 months that we’ve been performing as artists, even within the final 12 months since final 12 months’s MAMA; I’m certain many people are conscious with what occurred, we’re all the time grateful to our followers, our BRIIZE…there have been many occasions and it’s a bit cliche to say this, I do know, however all of the members and I can do is promise to followers that we are going to all the time work arduous and check out our greatest to point out the most effective model of ourselves that we are able to. However all we are able to hope for is that our followers will probably be there to assist RIIZE and our future as effectively. You already know, there may be loads of open communication between us and our firm; it’s actually supportive. We’re all the time grateful for our followers; our greatest hope is that RIIZE and BRIIZE will probably be there for one another.”

After KATSEYE slayed a high-flying rendition of their tracks “Debut” and “Contact” in a particular collaboration with the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders squad, the 2 groups’ connection appeared to proceed post-performance as six members from the cheer squad joined the Chartbreakers to take a seat with them within the viewers to observe the remainder of the ceremony.

American award reveals are extra rowdy than a typical Ok-pop ceremony, so a heckler shouting at Dustin Hoffman because the actor offered the Greatest New Male Artist award was not the wildest factor for the viewers to listen to. But it surely nonetheless earned shocked and anxious faces from reporters and workers members within the viewers.

Ok-pop rookie standouts TWS had top-of-the-line performances of the night time, bringing “Oh Mymy : 7s” and “Plot Twist” to life with a school-themed idea that noticed the sextet using desks for choreography and ending with a big marching band enjoying with them.

Los Angeles Instances contributor Christine Terrisse shared with reporters that she realized the performers who appeared on the finish have been marching band members from the native Tetlaff Junior Excessive from Cerritos who needed to write essays to elucidate why they wished to take part. Terrisse ran into two of the performers, each Ok-pop followers, and shared the quotes with Billboard.

“I’m actually excited to see all of the totally different teams I’ve seen to this point,” mentioned Gia, 14, who performs alto saxophone. “I discover it actually enjoyable being up on there, it’s such a brand new expertise.”

“This is sort of a once-in-a-lifetime alternative that I’m by no means gonna have once more, most likely,” added Anushree, who performs clarinet. “However I really feel like assembly all these totally different individuals and having this expertise can be gonna assist me develop whereas like having an excellent time as effectively.”

The younger instrumentalists additionally spoke up and agreed a few must erase the labels when it got here to music.

“Top-of-the-line issues that’s occurring is it just like the inclusivity,” Anushree, who performs clarinet, mentioned of the MAMAs coming to the States, including, “However I feel one of many worst issues as effectively is that they’re focusing quite a bit on the inclusivity…[K-pop stars] are superb, however like I don’t know why they need to be categorized as like ‘Ok-pop,’ they may simply be pop or one thing. However I’ll nonetheless take heed to them.”

Whereas viewers streaming or at dwelling might have been saved in suspense when it got here to the Greatest New Feminine Artist winner at this 12 months’s MAMAs, the digital camera individuals on the scene weren’t significantly delicate. Whereas each ILLIT and Younger Posse have been each nominees for the award and within the viewers ready for the outcomes, a cameraman was solely taking pictures ILLIT (seated within the entrance row) whereas poor Younger Posse (within the second row) appeared a bit ignoredTK.

Whereas it was usually talked about how holding the primary MAMA Awards US on the Dolby Theatre was outstanding for the venue additionally internet hosting the Oscars, the digital camera work was a stark distinction in comparison with the Academy Awards expertise when viewers can see each nominee’s response in actual time.

Following ILLIT’s emotional speech accepting the Greatest New Feminine Group award (the place the members thanked supporters in Korean, Japanese, and English), the quintet started strolling right down to their seats within the viewers as a substitute of heading backstage to have a good time their win. Fortunately, Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph offered the award, and the actress gained the Academy Award for Greatest Supporting Actress on the Dolby Theatre this previous March (pictured above), she referred to as out to the “Magnetic” ladies and warmly instructed them to return backstage together with her.

We love seeing celebs look out for each other.

As J.Y. Park’s MAMA US finale efficiency with Anderson .Paak drew to a detailed, and a number of other stars in attendance led the gang to get on their ft to honor the music legend. The members of RIIZE, Younger Posse, and KATSEYE stood up and inspired the remainder of the Dolby Theatre to face up with them to point out much more like to Park.

KATSEYE’s Lara and Megan seemed significantly hyped as they grooved and sang alongside all through the 15-minute presentation.

As a part of his efficiency to have a good time his 30 years within the enterprise, J.Y. Park’s finale efficiency kicked off with an introductory video the place the music legend acted as if he misplaced his reminiscence of the previous 30 years. Two minutes into the mini movie, a computerized voice tells Park, “Simply earlier than shedding your reminiscence, you have been finalizing preparations for the debut of KickFlip set to launch subsequent 12 months,” with a photograph of seven younger males on the display screen confirming JYP Leisure’s plans for a brand new boy band in 2025.

Throughout the Dolby Theatre, there was extra pleasure about KickFlip, with a few of the JYP USA Leisure executives attending excited for his or her work to be quickly shared with the world and asking native press to have excessive expectations.

An official reveal of the group throughout JYP Leisure’s social accounts, asserting what seems to be their debut on Jan. 1, 2025:

Earlier within the media day, J.Y. Park talked about he would hit Anderson .Paak’s LA bar after the MAMAs wrapped turned out to be the go-to spot after the present.

Together with .Paak and Park on the former’s West Hollywood sizzling spot Andy’s, Eric Nam was additionally noticed after he accomplished his duties because the MAMA Awards US crimson carpet MC and visitor host for the night time. Ok-pop diva Sunmi, rapper-actor Dumbfoundead, Japanese DJ-singer Intercourse Pet, 88rising co-founder and EST Media Holdings chairman Jaeson Ma, plus a number of creatives from Anderson’s upcoming Ok-Pops movie together with author Khaila Amazan and actress Emi Kim, have been all noticed having fun with the night time.