Hello
everyoneeeee!!!
It’s
been a long time since I post on this blog. Well, I’m really sorry that I
abandoned this blog again. I’m quite busy with all the college stuffs while
also went around exploring Seoul (I’m currently an exchange student for one
semester in Seoul by the way :D).
Anyway,
the end of the year is coming, which means that it’s time for various Korean
music awards and festivals. Among all of the awards and festivals, one of the most
anticipated would be Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). For three times in a row,
this year MAMA would be hold on Hong Kong on December 3rd, 2014,
which means one week later.
Why
MAMA is one of the most anticipated one? It’s because they always hold in on a
big scale from its place, stage, audiences, to performances. Beside that, the
fact that it holds overseas also rise up the pride for this award. Despite many
criticisms for this awards such as major biased to Korean music and
“popularity” contest through voting, many people still like to watch this
awards and many artists still put huge of effort for their performances in this
awards. Beside that, MAMA is always holding a special place in me because this
is the first award that I watched when I first discovered K-Pop.
Now,
while waiting for MAMA 2014 next week, I will have a throwback edition in this
post. It’s about my most favorites performances from MAMA 2009 until 2013. Why
from 2009? Because that was the first year where this award changed their name
from MKMF (Mnet Korean Music Festival) to MAMA. Their changing name means to
cater more into Asian music although at the end, Korean music still got the
most focus.
So, let’s
start from 2009….
2009
Honorable Mentions: G Dragon & Taeyang– Heartbreaker, Where U At, Wedding Dress, Korean Dream and T, Baby J, Hyuna, Jiyoon, Miryo – Lip Gloss, Pay Day
2PM – Heartbeat, Again & Again
This
performance is one of the best and the most heartbreaking performance from 2PM.
2PM has just lost their leader, Park Jaebum (Jay Park), who left the group at
the peak of their popularity. Jay Park left the group due to his My Space
controversy, which insulted Korean people, while 2PM continued to release their first full album, 01:59 PM
with Heartbeat as the lead single. It’s basically a messy situation at that
time with lots of drama.
One
week and a half after the album released, 2PM performed in MAMA. Controversies
and sentimental issues always gain more interests and 2PM used this well.
During the performance, they paid homage to Jay by leaving an empty spotlight
for him in the choreography and keeping his part on the song. Instead of the
boys singing, the fans sang Jay’s part. It was really heartbreaking. I think I
almost cried when watching it for the first time.
But
other than the sentimental part, the boys also delivered the good performances
that night. The dance and vocal were great for these songs. I like the remix
too with the mix of modern electronic music and classic orchestra music. 2PM
also brings out special guest on this performance by having JYP as a conductor with his memorable
glasses.
That
was a sweet night for 2PM because they also brought home on of the biggest
award for the night, Artist of the Year.
2010
Honorable Mentions: 2NE1 – Try to Follow Me, Clap Your Hands, Can’t Nobody and miss A – Bad Girl Good Girl, Breathe
Taeyang, T.O.P, and G-Dragon - Break Down, I Need a Girl, Turn It Up, Intro, Knock Out, Hallelujah
One
word for this performance is epic! I love everything from the action movie
concept, the transition between songs to the songs choice. All of them added by
Taeyang, T.O.P, and G-Dragon great stage presence; making this performance more
entertaining to watch.
However,
my most favorite part would be the surprise element on this whole performance.
I was shocked to see how Taeyang kissed 2NE1
Sandara Park, more shocked to see the shooting at the end of the
performance, and even most shocked to see the spoiler date for GD & TOP
upcoming sub-unit album when the performance finished. I think that this
performance really capture the essence of performing in awards shows because
you have to give surprise for the audiences to make the performance different
from the usual.
2011
Honorable Mentions: Super Junior –Superman, Mr. Simple, Sorry Sorry and miss A – Goodbye Baby
2NE1 – Lonely, I am the Best
If
the most favorite performances from previous years is more about concept and
gimmick, this 2NE1 performance showed that how a good song won over the
audiences. 2NE1 really hit it big in 2011 with Lonely and I am the Best and
it clearly shown in this performance. All of the audiences were singing along
with them. My most favorite part would be when the audiences kept singing
eventhough the music stopped in the middle of the song. It gave me chills.
The
power of the audiences also pumped up the girls’ spirit. They owned the stage
that night, especially CL with her
charisma, despite going for simple concept compared to the previous years’
performance. Definitely the best 2NE1 performance for me!
2012
Honorable Mentions: PSY – Gangnam Style and SISTAR – Alone
Big Bang – Crayon, Fantastic Baby
This
performance is a combination between good song, concept, and
sentimental/controversies issue. This was Big Bang comeback performance in
awards show after one year and after hit by several issues such as Daesung car accident and G-Dragon
marijuana scandal in 2011. Many people had wait for a long time and yes, Big
Bang did not disappoint. The monster concept was unique and the song was really
effective in pumping up the crowd. The boys had a great stage presence too and
knew how to have fun on stage. Although I still cannot forget some of the
members’ hideous outfit, hairstyle, and vocal, I forgive them. And yes, T.O.P,
you rock the pink suits and contact lenses!
2013
Honorable Mentions: Big Bang – Doom Dada, Ringa Linga, Let’sTalk About Love, Crooked, Fantastic Baby and Rain – How to Avoid the Sun, It’s Raining,Rainism, Hip Song
EXO – Growl, Wolf
What
I love the most from this performance is how EXO brings out the classic element
of K-Pop, good-looking appearance, catchy song, and well-polished choreography.
It worked really well for this performance because everything was on point from
the boys’ styling, the song remix to the concept that goes well with song
theme. The dance break also gives the surprise element for the song and I like
how they went with the actual dance break with new and sleek choreography. Also,
I give a special mention for the cameraman who did a great job in the camera
effect, adding the entertaining aspect for the performance. Sans the lip-synching
part, this is actually the best performance from EXO up until now.
So,
that’s the list of my most favorite performances in MAMA 2009 until 2013. As
for this year’s performance, they still have not announced the full line-up, so
it’s actually making me more anticipating the awards. Hopefully, many of the
performances will slay like the previous years.
Then,
what are your favorite MAMA performances? Which artists that you hope will
perform this year? Which performances that you are looking forward the most
this year?
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