The Two K-Pop Groups Netizens Believe Were “Robbed” During The First 2023 “MAMA Awards” Show

Fandoms of two huge K-Pop groups have called out Mnet for being rigged after their idols were “robbed” at the 2023 MAMA Awards,

The 2023 “MAMA Awards” logo | Mnet

One of the awards was for “Worldwide Fans’ Choice,” where groups were nominated, and the results would be determined by fans alone.

When the nominees were announced, Mnet released the criteria for voting and for this award, it was 70% voting from fans via the app and then 30% from Spotify votes.

[#2023MAMA] 'Worldwide Fans' Choice Category' PRE VOTE opens today at 6PM(KST)

Are you ready to vote for your artists?
Please check the Judging Criteria of 2023 MAMA AWARDS!

ONE I BORN
2023 MAMA AWARDS
2023.11.28(TUE)-29(WED) 6PM(KST)#MAMAAWARDS #2023MAMAAWARDS pic.twitter.com/OzGXMQmdVi

— MAMA AWARDS (@MnetMAMA) October 19, 2023

Throughout the voting period, various accounts kept fans updated on how the results were looking.

Even an hour before voting closed, the well-known account @kchartsmaster shared an update.

MAMA 2023 Worldwide Fans Choice — Last hour of voting:

#1 #BTS — 28.06%
#2 #StrayKids — 25.14%
#3 #TREASURE — 5.26%
#4 #NCTDREAM — 4.26%
#5 #ENHYPEN — 4.20%
#6 #EXO — 4.19%
#7 #SEVENTEEN — 4.13%
#8 #ZEROBASEONE — 4.09%
#9 #TXT — 4.08%
#10 #LimYoungWoong — 4.00%

— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) November 20, 2023

On November 28, the results were announced during the first day of the event at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

When the results were revealed, while a lot of the artists won as expected, two groups were missed. One was TREASURE, and despite remaining in third place in the voting, they missed out.

The members of TREASURE | Mnet

After the results were shared at the event, TREASURE fans shared their anger. For many, it was confusing as the group had been constantly near the top and it seemed almost impossible that they could’ve fallen so far down that they didn’t make the top ten.

its crazy how even some other fandom are questioning why on earth treasure didnt win wwfc, they were literally robbed everything was rigged crazy

— 훈석 ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶ (@12solamifasol) November 28, 2023

TREASURE didn’t win WWFC. We were #3 in voting what the hell is this. WE WERE ROBBED.

— 마기♡ (@iksanpjw) November 28, 2023

Tokyo Dome is just a practice ground for them at this point As much as I wanna say that they boys should have the other award, I’m grateful that non-fans can see that they were clearly robbed. And that opening stage? That’s just 30% of TREASURE. The full power 100% will be…

— faye누나•徐菲 ⟡ʚїɞ⟡ (@iamfayee) November 28, 2023

treasure the most robbed 4th gen artist, change my mind

— 祝 elle 祝 (@matetsushi) November 28, 2023

Another fandom that shared its anger after the awards was fans of EXO.

The members of EXO | SM Entertainment

Like TREASURE, earlier predictions had EXO in the top 10 for the “Worldwide Fans’ Choice.” When they saw the tables and watched the show, they couldn’t hide their anger that the members were “robbed” of a win. In particular, many shared that Mnet has been known for their poor treatment towards the members, which had fans even angrier.

MAMA @MnetMAMA IS A RIGGED AWARD SHOW & EXO IS THE MOST ROBBED IN MAMA. THIS AWARD SHOW VOTING IS JUST A SHOW OFF. JUST SO @MnetMAMA Know This Won't Effect EXO a bit.

EXO is & will be forever kings even without ur rigged award pic.twitter.com/qkh13SHTD2

— EXOBreakingNews (@EXOBreakingNews) November 28, 2023

history repeats itself.

EXO MOST ROBBED IN MAMA pic.twitter.com/pTX9fJXivF

— yana | i LOEY u ???? (@loeeey4life) November 28, 2023

Starting from 2017 this bitch still hasn't changed disgusting SNAKE!!

EXO MOST ROBBED IN MAMA

EXO MOST ROBBED IN MAMA

EXO MOST ROBBED IN MAMA

EXO MOST ROBBED IN MAMA pic.twitter.com/WwNlXyUDbJ

— w°✹ ִֶָ ࣪ (@lovingyeolexoo) November 28, 2023

Netizens couldn’t hide their shock that both TREASURE and EXO missed out.

So EXO & TREASURE got ROBBED by MAMA when they were in TOP 10 of the criteria!!

— Dora (@rutovines) November 28, 2023

While netizens congratulated the groups who won, many want Mnet to be transparent with the results so that they can see how they managed to miss out, especially as both groups seemed consistent with voting.

You can read the full results below.

The Full List Of Winners From Day One Of The 2023 “MAMA Awards”