MAMA: Ahn Hyo Seop returns as Jinu as Saja Boys collab axed

Ahn Hyo Seop returns as Jinu

Taking over the microphone, Ahn Hyo Seop said, “Remember this voice. You gave me my soul back. Our global K-Pop fans gathered at MAMA today and your energy fills the night with a quiet glow. Tonight you gave me light and now I’ll give it to you. May the stars of love shine softly on your nights. And my the music guide us into a better tomorrow. Courage, hope, and their real me… courage arises when you truly see and hope spreads, when you dream. Our music will shine to be seen tonight.”“Tonight, my voice spreads quietly for you, for this city and for the stars. And now, my friends are here, and its their time to make the world shine.”BOYNEXTDOOR’s agency announced, “Due to the scaling down of the 2025 MAMA Awards, BOYNEXTDOOR will no longer participate in the performance scheduled for today. We ask for fans’ generous understanding.” PLEDIS echoed for TWS, “TWS will not be participating in the performance scheduled for today,” shattering expectations for this multimedia fusion of live idols and animated demons.​

Star-studded lineup vanishes in sensitivity call

The dream ensemble-BOYNEXTDOOR’s magnetic Leehan, RIIZE’s Wonbin, TWS’s Shinyu, ZEROBASEONE’s powerhouse Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin-was set to channel Saja Boys’ brooding grim reaper aesthetic, complete with holographic effects, fiery choreography, and dark lyrics syncing the OST’s UK chart blitz (‘Golden’ clinging to No. 6 after 23 weeks). Mnet promos hyped the “Wonder Stage” as K-pop’s boldest animated crossover, teased with intense rehearsals blending real charisma and supernatural edge-now lost amid thematic clashes like “burning worlds” post-fire. Both groups electrified Day 1 on November 28, amplifying the heartbreak.​

Infernal blaze forces global K-pop mourning

The pivot stems from November 26’s catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong’s 32-story Tai Po residential tower-raging through 20+ floors, trapping hundreds in smoke and flames for Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno since 2008, claiming 128 lives and injuring 79 with tolls possibly rising. MAMA Park Bo-gum led silences, artists donned black ribbons (Enhypen, Rose during daesangs), red carpets evaporated, fire effects/garments banned.​

Fandom grief meets resilient hope

Global fans lament the milestone-Saja Boys’ reaper concept amplifying OST mania-but champion the compassionate decision, buzzing about M Countdown or fan con revivals. Agencies plead understanding; the subdued ceremony embodies solidarity, prayers surging for Hong Kong’s recovery as K-pop unites in grief.