2025 Year-End K-POP Award Shows & Performance Lineups

Year-end in K-POP means more than holidays or countdowns. It is the season when the industry reflects on a full year of music, performances, and fandom energy. For artists, year-end stages are moments of recognition and creative statement. For fans, they are celebrations that bring together the biggest names, unforgettable performances, and emotional highlights.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the major 2025 K-POP year-end award shows and concerts in Korea and nearby Asia. It covers dates, venues, confirmed lineups, and why each event matters—especially for international fans following K-POP from abroad.


Colorful K-pop year-end awards stage with bright lights and cheering audience, AI-generated image

Why Year-End K-POP Events Are So Important

Unlike many Western award shows that focus primarily on trophies, K-POP year-end ceremonies emphasize live performance. Artists often prepare special stages, remixes, collaborations, and choreography that are shown only once. These stages frequently set trends for the following year, influencing music style, fashion, and performance direction.

For rookie groups, a year-end appearance can be a turning point. For established acts, it is a chance to redefine their image or celebrate longevity. This is why year-end events are treated as cultural milestones rather than simple awards ceremonies.

1. 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon (SBS Song Festival)

The 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon will be held on December 25, 2025, at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. Traditionally scheduled on Christmas Day, this event has become one of the most festive year-end K-POP shows.

SBS Gayo Daejeon is known for bringing together artists from different generations. Rather than focusing on awards alone, it highlights large-scale stages, creative concepts, and holiday-themed performances. Many fans consider it a “concert-style festival” rather than a formal ceremony.

Confirmed MCs: Ahn Yujin, Young K, Jaemin

Confirmed Performers (as announced):

  • NCT Dream
  • THE BOYZ
  • Stray Kids
  • ATEEZ
  • ITZY
  • TREASURE
  • ENHYPEN
  • TXT
  • IVE
  • (G)I-DLE
  • LE SSERAFIM
  • ZEROBASEONE
  • RIIZE
  • NCT WISH
  • ILLIT
  • BabyMonster

The Inspire Arena venue allows for advanced stage design and large audience capacity, making it suitable for visually complex performances. International fans often look forward to SBS Gayo Daejeon because of its broadcast accessibility and high production value.

2. 2025 MAMA Awards

The 2025 MAMA Awards will take place on November 28–29, 2025, at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. As one of the most internationally recognized K-POP award ceremonies, MAMA often expands beyond Korea to emphasize its global reach.

MAMA is known for large-scale production, cross-label collaborations, and stages designed specifically for international audiences. It also places strong emphasis on global fan participation, digital voting, and worldwide streaming.

MC Lineup:

  • Park Bo Gum (Day 1)
  • Kim Hye-soo (Day 2)

Featured Artists (announced and expected):

  • ENHYPEN
  • IVE
  • (G)I-DLE
  • TREASURE
  • aespa
  • ZEROBASEONE
  • BabyMonster
  • BoyNextDoor
  • NCT WISH

One of MAMA’s defining characteristics is its collaborative stages. Artists from different groups or agencies sometimes perform together, creating unique moments that are not repeated elsewhere. This aspect makes MAMA particularly appealing to global fans who want to see something beyond standard concert performances.

3. 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA)

The 17th Melon Music Awards (MMA 2025) will be held on December 20, 2025, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. MMA is widely regarded as one of Korea’s most influential music awards because it combines streaming data, fan voting, and expert evaluation.

Compared to other ceremonies, MMA places stronger emphasis on digital performance and domestic popularity. As a result, its lineup often reflects actual listening trends throughout the year.

Confirmed Performers:

  • G-Dragon
  • Jennie
  • EXO
  • aespa
  • IVE
  • RIIZE
  • BoyNextDoor
  • PLAVE
  • 10CM
  • ZICO
  • WOODZ

Major awards include Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. The famous “Top 10 Artists” recognition is also closely watched, as it reflects consistent popularity rather than one-time success.

4. Other Notable 2025 Year-End K-POP Events

In addition to the three main events above, several other ceremonies and concerts contribute to the year-end K-POP atmosphere. These events may vary in scale but remain important to fans and artists alike.

  • Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2025) – December 6, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • Korea Grand Music Awards – November 14–15, Incheon

These events often spotlight both mainstream and rising artists. They also serve as platforms for acts that may not appear on every major broadcast, adding diversity to the year-end lineup.

How International Fans Can Watch and Follow

Most major K-POP year-end events are available through official broadcasts and streaming platforms. Availability may vary by region, but global access has expanded significantly in recent years.

  • Official broadcasters: Mnet, SBS, Melon
  • Streaming platforms: Wavve, 1theK, global partner platforms
  • Official social media accounts for live updates and clips

For international viewers, it is recommended to check official announcements for time-zone adjustments and replay availability. Many performances are also uploaded as individual clips after the live broadcast.

Final Thoughts

K-POP year-end award shows are more than industry events. They represent a collective moment where artists, fans, and creators reflect on the year together. Whether you follow K-POP casually or as a dedicated fan, these ceremonies offer insight into trends, achievements, and the direction of the industry.

As 2025 comes to a close, these events will once again define the memories and milestones of K-POP. For global fans, they are an opportunity to experience the energy of the scene—no matter where you are in the world.








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