2021 MAMA lineup rumored to include Justin Bieber, BTS, AKB48, and more
A lineup for the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards, also known as MAMA, is rumored to have netizens in an uproar. The list, posted by a netizen on an online community forum, includes K-Pop acts like BTS, TWICE, and NCT 127, as well as international acts like Japanese idol group AKB48 and Canadian singer Justin Bieber.
[#2021MAMA] Host Announcement #이효리 #LEEHYORI
— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) October 14, 2021
LEGENDARY K-POP ICON!
Introducing you to the best and the first female host of MAMA, Lee Hyo Ri!
MAKE SOME NOISE! 2021 MAMA
2021.12.11 (SAT)#MnetAsianMusicAwards #MAMA #Mnet pic.twitter.com/9OoSWN6XV9
Lee Hyori was revealed as the host of the awards ceremony earlier this month, raising buzz for the artist lineup.
Additionally, Mnet released a sneak peek of a documentary special featuring artists such as Park JY, Psy, and CL that will premiere on October 28.
The rumored lineup includes many from JYP Korean Entertainments as well as the Japanese group NiziU, forming the prediction that the company will carry out a collaborative stage ”JYP Party. What's more, HYBE artists BTS, TXT, and Justin Bieber, whose management company was acquired by HYBE this year, appear on the rumor list.
[MAMA：THE ORIGINAL K-POP AWARDS]
— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) October 13, 2021
어디서도 들을 수 없었던
K-POP 아티스트들의 MAMA 이야기
MAMA：THE ORIGINAL K-POP AWARDS
10월 28일 (목) 저녁 8시 첫 공개#MAMA #MAMA_TheOriginaKPOPAwards pic.twitter.com/9bUDXBsXCi
- 1st lineup - BTS, TWICE
- 2nd lineup - LOST CHILDREN, ATEEZ, TXT
- 3rd lineup - SEVENTEEN, ITZY, NCT 127, Red Velvet, aespa
- 4th lineup: Lee Hyori, JY Park, Psy, BoA, Street Woman Fighter
- Fifth lineup: Justin Bieber, AKB48, NiziU, JO1
It wouldn't be the first time a non-Asian singer has attended or performed at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. In 2019, English singer Dua Lipa performed in MAMA in collaboration with MAMAMOO's Hwasa. Justin Bieber also consistently tops the music charts in Korea; this month, his song “Stay” with Australian artist El Niño LAROI ranked No. 1 on BTS's Digital Gaong chart, surpassing BTS's collaboration with Coldplay and aespa's “Savage”.
The response from online netizens has been divided, with numerous Korean netizens expressing their disapproval of the Japanese artists who attended the event. Another common focus is the absence of groups like BLACKPINK, Monsta X, and SUEÑO NCT who saw commercial success with their releases this year.
- I don't understand, why do these lineups keep allowing Japanese groups to meddle? "
- "Justin, who now?"
- “Uh… what is NiziU doing in this lineup? Really, I do not understand ".
On the other hand, international fans have focused more on the alleged appearance of Justin Bieber, especially since many idols are vocal fans of the singer. Bieber fans are tweeting members of his team in hopes of convincing them to allow him to attend.
The official lineup for the event has yet to be confirmed. The 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards will be held on December 11, 2021.
