“It Has To Be Rigged!” Netizens Debate On The K-Pop Idols Who Were Robbed Of Nominations For The 2023 “MAMA Awards”

The nominations for the 2023 MAMA Awards have just been released, but netizens have raised their anger after believing certain idols were “robbed.”

So many amazing idols got nominated and showcased what an amazing year it’s been. Yet, considering the huge number of idols in K-Pop, it wasn’t surprising that many amazing idols missed out on nominations in certain categories.

Despite three of the members being enlisted, BTS truly dominated with nominations for both the group and individual members.

Yet, netizens noticed that while Suga (as Agust D), J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook had solo nominations, nothing was there for Jin and RM. For many, all of the members’ solo releases deserved some recognition.

no matter for how long mama awards will try to deny this fact but namjoon carries the whole music industry on his back and the fact they didnt nominate him just proves that they’re scared of him

— ˚ ༘♡ (@yoongipd) October 19, 2023

The nominations of MAMA are just urgh…
Where's Namjoon and Jin?

— ㋛︎⁷ (@Moonie_ar) October 19, 2023

I’m honestly sad af because namjoon wasn’t nominated on mama, “indigo” is such good album like be fking fr

— jimin is the reason to live/working on commissions (@moreloveforjm) October 19, 2023

In particular, some huge acts got missed out of the main nominations. Although many were included in “Worldwide Fans’ Choice,” fans thought they deserved more due to their impact on K-Pop.

One group that has been making waves since debuting and continues to showcase their unreal popularity is ATEEZ. Over the past year, they have released so much music for fans and traveled across the world, performing in front of thousands of fans in so many countries.

So, it was unsurprising that fans couldn’t hide their shock when they weren’t nominated in the big categories, especially those linked to performance, as ATEEZ are known as “Performance Kings.”

Ateez not being nominated in any MAMA category is the biggest joke ever, they had one of the most successful cb worldwide and in SK, absolutely insane.pic.twitter.com/NuLs1rrCCE

— fri•• ⅞ GOLDEN my love (@jeonshalaaa) October 19, 2023

mnet using ateez for kcon but not nominating them is absurd and hypocrite. i need ateez to stop going there because there is NO way they aren’t nominated for not only best male group but also, and once again, for best dance performance male group at mama

— moon (@hwagiland) October 19, 2023

Me knowing that Mama is sh*t & rigged
Me always expecting mama will play fair
Me always ending up disappointed

And me continues to do it every year!

— Seeba♡ (@no1likeatz) October 19, 2023

Similarly, another group that netizens noticed was omitted, despite their domestic and international success, was ENHYPEN. Considering the number of HYBE groups nominated for main awards, fans were shocked and angry at Mnet for excluding ENHYPEN.

huh?? i think everyone can tell that enhypen is literally one of the strongest dancers in the whole kpop industry rn. the complex choreography and sharp synchronization. being not nominated is a mystery for real. i can't take this awards show that seriously

— takoniki (@namaewariki) October 19, 2023

how is that possible that enhypen's "the power house of k-pop" has only one nomination in MAMA? no best dance performance and also best male group? are you kidding us ?

— shinoa (@hoonsbbyy) October 19, 2023

mama should make a new nomination for enha which is most robbed group bcus what the hell is happening

— tiffany ‍ (@peachyniellie) October 19, 2023

One fan even pointed out that despite being “snubbed,” they knew that ENHYPEN would go and perform, showcasing why they deserved to be nominated.

without a doubt, enha will go all out on that mama stage and everyone on their seats in the venue and at home will wonder how tf are they not nominated in every category. ENHYPEN WILL SHOW YOU WHAT REAL AWARD-WORTHY PERFORMANCE IS

— takoniki (@namaewariki) October 19, 2023

If that wasn’t enough, many even pointed out that a majority of idols from JYP Entertainment were done “dirty.”

While TWICE and Jihyo had some huge nominations, many pointed out that groups like ITZY, NMIXX, and Xdinary Heroes were missed out. In particular, many noticed that they had removed the usual band category, and neither of the company’s newest girl groups gained any attention for their performances.

MAMA doesn't deserve ITZY, NMIXX and Xdinary Heroes.

— JYP Charts (@jypcharts) October 19, 2023

mama it’s so rigged&the beef they have with itzy doesn’t end since 2020 when they didn’t gave them the best performance award 4wannabe plus looking at the nominees let me laugh out loud and ijibol cause all the groups have them on their mood boards when it comes to performance

— ♛Mia≷ (@itziconicvibez) October 19, 2023

While it is inevitable that some idols will be unfairly missed from nominations, many fans believe some of these idols have shined and deserved to be nominated for bigger awards.

You can read the full list of nominations below.

A Look At The Full List Of Nominations For The 2023 “MAMA Awards”