The inaugural night of the 2025 MAMA Awards ceremony in Hong Kong on Thursday became a platform for poignant expressions of sympathy, as Mandopop idols from globally recognized K-pop groups used their acceptance speeches to acknowledge recent tragedies in mainland China. Held at the new Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, the event saw members of prominent girl groups aespa and (G)I-DLE deliver heartfelt messages in Mandarin Chinese after receiving the Fans’ Choice Award, extending condolences to victims and heroes of devastating fires.

Ningning, the Chinese member of the K-pop sensation aespa, utilized her moment at the podium following the group’s win to directly address the recent calamities. Speaking in Putonghua, she conveyed profound grief for those impacted, stating, “I extend my deepest condolences to all the compatriots who perished in the recent fire incidents, and offer my highest respect to the firefighters.” Her remarks immediately resonated across social media platforms, underscoring the artists’ connection to events impacting their home country.

Similarly, fellow K-pop group (G)I-DLE, which had recently made news for donating 1 million Chinese Yuan to relief efforts, also secured the Fans’ Choice Award. Yuqi, the group’s Chinese member, echoed the sentiment of compassion when she accepted the honor. Also speaking in Mandarin, Yuqi offered solace to those affected by the fires, expressing solidarity and hope for swift recovery. She encouraged the audience and fans to provide support where possible, urging those with the means to help the victims navigate this challenging period.

Art and Empathy Intersect on the Global Stage

The MAMA Awards, recognized as one of Asia’s most significant music events, traditionally celebrates achievements in K-pop and Asian music. However, the decision by these artists to use a heavily publicized international event to address domestic crises highlights a growing trend among celebrity figures to integrate philanthropic messages and social awareness into their public appearances.

For both aespa and (G)I-DLE, the gesture moved beyond the typical glamorous acceptance speech, injecting a moment of solemn reflection into the entertainment spectacle. This public demonstration of empathy by high-profile figures serves to keep the focus on ongoing critical events and helps mobilize public awareness and support for disaster relief initiatives. The artists’ use of their native language further amplified the sincerity, ensuring an immediate and direct emotional connection with audiences across Greater China.

The Role of Celebrity in Disaster Relief

The actions taken by artists like Ningning and Yuqi, especially following the substantial financial contribution made by (G)I-DLE, demonstrate the powerful role celebrity influence plays in disaster response. Such public appeals can often galvanize fanbases into action, inspiring volunteer efforts and further financial contributions towards rebuilding communities and assisting affected families.

As the music industry continues its global expansion, the integration of social responsibility into awards show narratives reinforces the notion that cultural figures are not just entertainers but significant societal communicators. The outpouring of support seen at the MAMA Awards underscores the shared humanitarian values that transcend entertainment borders.

HONG KONG – The 2025 MAMA Awards ceremony commenced Friday at the Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, adopting a distinctly somber tone as organizers and participating artists offered deep condolences and solidarity with Hong Kong following a devastating recent fire. Before the broadcast, which was streamed in Hong Kong via HBO Max, a black-and-white message displayed on screen stating, “The 2025 MAMA Awards extends its deepest condolences to the victims of the Hong Kong fire.” Throughout the ceremony, the message “Support Hong Kong” appeared beneath the MAMA logo, a direct rally of encouragement to the local community.

The annual celebration of Asian music quickly transformed into a global platform for mourning and support. Many artists and presenters adhered to a muted, monochrome dress code, appearing in black, white, and grey attire, with several also visibly wearing black ribbons as a mark of respect.

During their acceptance speeches, several award winners took time to address the tragedy directly, speaking to the emotional weight of the moment. RIIZE member Anton, whose group received the Fan’s Choice award, delivered his heartfelt thanks in Cantonese. “We understand that many people are going through a heavy time right now,” Anton stated. “We accept this award with a peaceful heart today, and we extend our most sincere care to those who need strength and support.”

The sentiment was echoed by other international artists. Martin, a member of the group CORTIS, conveyed his sympathies in English after the group was honored with the Best New Artist award. Similarly, the popular boy group BOYNEXTDOOR, winners of the Most Popular Boy Group award, offered encouraging words in Mandarin. “We hope the people of Hong Kong successfully overcome this adversity, and that everyone remains safe and peaceful,” a member remarked.

This unified expression of grief highlights the interconnected relationship between the global K-pop industry and its deeply dedicated Asian fanbase. Award shows like MAMA, while primarily focused on entertainment and artistic achievement, frequently serve as cultural touchstones, reflecting and responding to significant events impacting host cities and regions.

The decision by event organizers to proceed with the ceremony while actively integrating messages of mourning and tribute demonstrated a commitment to acknowledging the community’s pain, positioning the awards not just as a spectacle, but as an act of shared, empathetic global citizenship. The broadcast served as a highly visible moment where celebrity and collective grief intersected, using one of Asia’s largest cultural events to provide comfort and encouragement during a period of local tragedy.

As the music industry continues its engagement with the local community, these acts of solidarity from high-profile figures provide a potent form of emotional support, underscoring the unifying power of shared culture across borders during times of crisis. The 2025 MAMA Awards’ modified presentation underscored that even amidst celebration, recognizing humanity and sorrow remains paramount.

A catastrophic inferno in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in scores of casualties, has compelled several prominent actors to cancel their scheduled appearances at a major international cultural event. Following a devastating five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court on November 26, which tragically claimed 128 lives and injured 79 others—with reports indicating around 200 additional cases still unconfirmed—the entertainment industry in Hong Kong has seen widespread cancellations and postponements.

The immediate aftermath of the disaster led stars Louis Koo, Tony Wu, and German Cheung to scrap their trip to Japan for the Tokyo Comic Con. The trio, who feature in the hugely popular film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, were set to attend the three-day event at the Makuhari Messe convention center beginning December 5.

Tokyo Comic Con officials publicly confirmed the cancellation on their official social media channels today, November 28. The convention’s post explained that the cancellation stems directly from the ongoing crisis in Hong Kong. “Louis Koo, Tony Wu, and German Cheung have announced the cancellation of their visit to Japan,” the statement read. “Due to the large-scale fire that occurred in Hong Kong on Wednesday, November 26, 2025,” and the necessity for them to focus on “local relief efforts and support work,” making travel difficult, the decision was unavoidable.

The actors’ decision underscores the severity of the unprecedented disaster and the deep impact it has had on the community. The shift from celebrating cinematic success—particularly the Japanese popularity of Twilight of the Warriors—to prioritizing local humanitarian needs reflects a broader solidarity within Hong Kong society.

“We deeply apologize to all those who were eagerly anticipating their visit and ask for your understanding regarding the current situation in Hong Kong,” the Tokyo Comic Con notice continued, extending profound condolences to those affected by the blaze.

The incident in Tai Po has mobilized attention globally. Local reports indicate that Koo, Wu, and Cheung have redirected their efforts toward supporting those impacted by the fire, either through direct involvement in relief activities or by assisting organizations dedicated to recovery efforts.

The ripple effect of the tragedy on the cultural calendar is evident. Across Hong Kong, numerous concerts, promotional events, and film premieres have been either postponed indefinitely or entirely canceled out of respect for the victims and to allow focus on the emergency response. The entertainment sector’s prompt restructuring of activities highlights a collective recognition of the need for sobriety and community support during this period of intense mourning and recovery.

As emergency crews continue to manage the disaster site and authorities work to identify victims and determine the exact cause of the fire, the focus remains firmly on humanitarian assistance. The choice by these high-profile figures to forgo international engagements to assist their home community serves as a powerful symbol of unity and public devotion during a challenging time. Further updates regarding the comprehensive relief efforts are expected in the coming days.