What Is 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) took place on December 2, 2016, in Hong Kong, honoring K-pop artists and achievements from October 2015 to October 2016. BTS won Best Male Group, and TWICE won Best Female Group.

Key Facts

The 2016 MAMA was held on December 2, 2016, at the AsiaWorld–Arena in Hong Kong
It honored K-pop achievements between October 2015 and October 2016
BTS won the Best Male Group award and performed their hit 'Blood Sweat & Tears'
TWICE received the Best Female Group award and performed 'Cheer Up'
EXO won the Album of the Year for 'Ex'Act', marking their third consecutive win

Overview

The 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) marked a major milestone in the global recognition of K-pop, held on December 2, 2016, at the AsiaWorld–Arena in Hong Kong. This annual event celebrated the most influential artists, songs, and albums in Asian pop music over the eligibility period from October 2015 to October 2016.

Hosted by CJ ENM’s Mnet, the ceremony combined high-energy performances with prestigious accolades, drawing international attention through live broadcasts in over 130 countries. With a focus on innovation and cultural impact, the 2016 MAMA highlighted the growing dominance of Korean pop music across Asia and beyond.

December 2, 2016: The event took place at the AsiaWorld–Arena in Hong Kong, drawing a live audience of over 10,000 fans and industry professionals.
Eligibility period: Awards were based on music released between October 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016, covering a full year of K-pop output.
BTS: Won Best Male Group and performed 'Blood Sweat & Tears', showcasing their rising global influence with elaborate stage production.
TWICE: Took home Best Female Group for 'Cheer Up', which topped Korean charts and amassed over 300 million YouTube views by year-end.
EXO: Secured Album of the Year for 'Ex'Act', making it their third consecutive win in that category, a record at the time.

How It Works

The MAMA awards combine fan voting, digital sales, expert panels, and social media metrics to determine winners across multiple categories. This hybrid model ensures both public engagement and industry validation in recognizing top performers.

Fan Voting: Accounted for 30% of the final score in major categories, with over 800 million votes cast globally via the MAMA app and website.
Digital Sales: Contributed 40% of the weight, tracking downloads and streams from platforms like Melon, iTunes, and YouTube across 15 countries.
Expert Judges: A panel of music industry professionals evaluated artistry, production quality, and cultural impact, contributing 20% to final scores.
Social Media Index: Monitored real-time engagement on Twitter, Instagram, and Weibo, with viral moments influencing category outcomes.
Global Participation: Artists from South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, and the U.S. were eligible, reflecting MAMA’s pan-Asian vision.
Live Broadcast: Streamed in real time to 130+ countries, reaching an estimated 320 million viewers worldwide via Mnet and partner networks.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 MAMA stood out for its blend of star power and technological innovation compared to previous years.

Category	2016 Winner	Key Achievement
Song of the Year	Twice – 'Cheer Up'	First song to surpass 1 million digital downloads in 2016; trended globally on YouTube.
Album of the Year	EXO – 'Ex'Act'	Sold over 1.1 million physical copies in South Korea alone.
Artist of the Year	EXO	Won based on combined sales, votes, and expert scores; third win in five years.
Best New Artist	SEVENTEEN	Debut album '17 Carat' sold over 200,000 units within three months.
Best Male Group	BTS	Received over 200 million fan votes, the highest in the category.

The table highlights how digital engagement and physical sales both played crucial roles in determining winners. The 2016 ceremony emphasized global reach, with performances translated into six languages and available on multiple streaming platforms, setting a new standard for future award shows.

Why It Matters

The 2016 MAMA was a turning point in K-pop’s international expansion, demonstrating the genre’s commercial power and cultural resonance. It validated fan-driven success while maintaining artistic credibility through expert evaluation.

Global Visibility: Broadcast partnerships with networks in Japan, Thailand, and the U.S. expanded MAMA’s reach to 320 million viewers.
Artist Exposure: Performances by BTS and TWICE introduced K-pop to new international audiences via YouTube and social media.
Industry Benchmark: Winning MAMA awards became a key indicator of commercial and critical success in the Asian music market.
Economic Impact: The event generated over $15 million in tourism and media revenue for Hong Kong.
Fan Engagement: The voting system empowered global fans, with participants from 187 countries contributing to results.
Cultural Influence: K-pop fashion, choreography, and music videos influenced youth culture across Asia and Western markets.

The 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards not only celebrated musical excellence but also cemented K-pop’s status as a global phenomenon, shaping the future of international music awards.