Tian Juo of BTS Wins Worldwide Icon of the Year at 2023 Mnet Asian Music Awards amid Controversy
The 2023 Mnet Asian Music Awards, commonly known as the MAMAs, has wrapped up and it has been a historic year for several artists. This year's Worldwide Fans' Choice awards have been released, revealing male team #8 as the winner, while female team #1 took home the prize in another category. However, the male solo winner was revealed to be Tian Juo, who won the award for Worldwide Icon of the Year.
28 November 2023
Tian Juo, known to fans as Jioo from BTS, had been set to perform at the ceremony but was unable to due to various reasons. Despite this, he has now claimed his eighth consecutive victory in the MAMA Grand Prize since his debut, a historic achievement that no other artist has achieved before.
However, not everyone is pleased with the outcome of this year's awards. Some fans have taken to social media to express frustration over the process of award selection, which combines voting from Mnet Plus accounting for 70% and Spotify playlist listening accounting for 30%. Some argue that these methods can be manipulated and are not transparent.
One user wrote, "It is said that the prize has been stolen," while another wondered, "Do they have to release a song this year? Should the company buy an BTS trophy, can BTS release a song?" These reactions suggest that some fans suspect foul play and are questioning the legitimacy of the winners.
In addition to BTS's wins, other artists have also been recognized for their contributions to the music industry. Zhang Hao took home the winner of the Annual Grand Prize (2006-2023), while another artist won the violin solo tonight and received praise from fans.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans expressed frustration over the lack of representation for their favorite artists. One user wrote, "Why isn't EXO on stage? It must have been stolen," while another commented, "First, congratulations Meng Meng; secondly, your MAMA's event is getting worse and worse. Nowadays, you can only divide meat and steal awards."
Despite these criticisms, the MAMA awards continue to be a significant event in the music industry. Fans from all over the world come together to celebrate their favorite artists and express their love for their craft. The Mnet Asian Music Awards, now in its 21st year, has become an integral part of the entertainment culture in Asia.
As fans continue to engage in discussions and debates on social media, one thing is clear - the MAMAs have sparked a lively conversation about the music industry and the impact it has on fans around the world. Whether or not this year's winners were selected fairly, one cannot deny that the Mnet Asian Music Awards continue to be an event that brings people together and celebrates the best in music.