A move, which it told, “demonstrated why this award is one of the most esteemed and meaningful awards categories.”
At the recent 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong in late November, the leading K-pop awards show gave out multiple prizes to the year’s top K-pop acts.
But a standout category in the said event was the Music Visionary of the Year, which gave honor to those who push K-pop’s boundaries, contribute to its legacy, and redefine its possibilities on the global stage.
Introduced in 2024, the award had established itself as a prestigious honor that exemplifies MAMA Awards’ forward-looking perspective and vision as it recognizes icons that have paved the way for K-pop beyond single-year achievements.
This year’s winner was the breakout Netflix animation film Kpop Demon Hunters, which was recognized for its compelling storytelling that expands K-pop’s global reach and introduces the genre to new audiences.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans received the award and expressed their gratitude, as well as shared their deep connection to K-pop culture and its fans.
“In truth, because we’re on the MAMA stage, we made it for all of you. We made it for the K-pop fans,” said Maggie Kang. “It’s a privilege to add to this grand history of K-pop music and Korean culture.”
Chris Appelhans emphasized the film’s heartfelt origins and told, “This movie is a love letter to K-pop. It’s a story about the power of music, the way it connects us, the way it heals us.”
The first-ever recipient of the MAMA Awards’ Music Visionary of the Year trophy in 20224 was K-pop superstar G-DRAGON.
For the past 26 years, MAMA Awards has elevated K-pop’s value and vision. First launched in 1999 as Korea’s first music video ceremony by CJ ENM’s music channel Mnet, the awards rebranded itself into MAMA Awards from its long-time name Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2021, which underscores its commitment to go global.
Since then, MAMA Awards has been at the forefront of K-pop’s global expansion by hosting the ceremony across the world, including Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and the United States.
Meanwhile, since 2020, media conglomerate CJ ENM has recognized industry leaders as “Visionary” for transforming industry paradigms across broadcasting, film, music and entertainment.
Marking the 30th anniversary this year, the company unveiled 20 “Visionary Selections” – landmark works that have shaped K-content.
Looking ahead to 2026, the company is also preparing to announce new “Visionary” for 2026 who will bring fresh perspectives to the entertainment industry.