What Is 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards

Overview

The 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards, commonly known as MAMA, was a multi-city K-pop awards event celebrating the most influential artists in Asian music. Hosted by CJ ENM’s Mnet, it highlighted achievements in music, performance, and global reach across various categories.

This year’s theme emphasized 'Music Makes One,' promoting unity through K-pop’s expanding international influence. The event featured live performances, award presentations, and fan engagement activities across three major Asian cities.

• December 10, 2018: The first ceremony took place in Goyang, South Korea, at the KINTEX Arena, focusing on technical and regional music awards.
• December 12: The Japan leg was held at Saitama Super Arena, honoring artists popular in the Japanese market and featuring localized performances.
• December 14: The grand finale occurred in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld–Expo, where top awards like Artist of the Year were presented.
• BTS dominated the night by winning nine awards, including Best Male Group, Worldwide Icon, and Song of the Year for 'Fake Love.'
• Over 170 countries received live broadcasts via Mnet, YouTube, and regional partners, making it one of the most globally accessible K-pop award shows.

How It Works

The MAMA awards combine fan voting, digital sales, expert judging, and social media metrics to determine winners across categories. Each city hosted different segments, but all contributed to the overall narrative of K-pop’s global expansion.

• Voting System:Online fan voting accounted for 30% of the final score, with votes collected through official websites and apps between October and November 2018.
• Digital Sales:Streaming and download data from platforms like Melon, iTunes, and Spotify made up 40% of the evaluation criteria for major music awards.
• Jury Panel: A panel of music industry professionals from South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia contributed 30% to the final decision for main categories.
• Global Categories: Awards like Best Worldwide Icon were based on YouTube views, Twitter mentions, and international concert attendance.
• Host Cities: The multi-location format was designed to strengthen regional ties and expand MAMA’s brand presence across Asia.
• Performances: Each act performed live, with BTS, EXO, and TWICE delivering choreographed sets that combined music, storytelling, and visual effects.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 MAMA compared to previous editions in key metrics:

The 2018 edition maintained the multi-city format introduced in 2017, but expanded fan engagement through mobile apps and real-time voting. BTS’s continued dominance reflected their growing global influence, while the inclusion of regional awards highlighted MAMA’s pan-Asian focus.

Why It Matters

The 2018 MAMA was a milestone in K-pop’s global recognition, showcasing how digital platforms and fan-driven campaigns can elevate artists beyond national borders. It also reinforced South Korea’s cultural export strategy through music.

• Global K-pop Growth: The event highlighted K-pop’s rise, with 170 countries tuning in, up from 150 in 2016, indicating expanding international appeal.
• Fan Participation: Over 100 million votes were cast online, demonstrating the power of fan communities in shaping award outcomes.
• Regional Representation: Artists from China, Thailand, and Indonesia won regional awards, promoting inclusivity in the Asian music scene.
• Brand Expansion: Mnet leveraged MAMA to grow its global footprint, partnering with YouTube, Twitter, and Spotify for live coverage.
• Artist Exposure: Winning at MAMA boosted international concert bookings, with BTS selling out U.S. stadium tours shortly after.
• Cultural Diplomacy: The South Korean government recognized MAMA as part of its Hallyu (Korean Wave) initiative to promote soft power.

Ultimately, the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards was more than an awards show—it was a strategic celebration of K-pop’s global reach, fan engagement, and cultural impact across Asia and beyond.