The 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) was one for the books, filled with jaw-dropping performances, unforgettable wins, and a celebration of K-pop’s growing global influence. This year’s show continued to highlight the best of the best in Korean music, from seasoned icons to exciting new talent. Let's take a closer look at the standout moments and top winners that had fans talking!

The Venue: Inspire Arena, Incheon

In 2024, the MMA took place at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, bringing fans a sleek and modern backdrop for the glitzy celebration of music. With the atmosphere buzzing with excitement, it was the perfect setting for a night full of surprises.

Grand Prize Winners: (G)I-DLE Steals the Show

The grand prize awards, or Daesangs, are always the most anticipated moments of the night, and this year, (G)I-DLE made history by winning Artist of the Year—a well-deserved honor for the group’s incredible rise to global fame. But that wasn’t all. (G)I-DLE also snagged Album of the Year for their innovative work on Super Lady and Song of the Year for their hit track “Klaxon.” It was a night that solidified their place as one of K-pop’s brightest stars.

Meanwhile, Record of the Year went to BTS, whose legendary presence continues to dominate, while Jungkook bagged the Best Solo award for his global smash "Golden," proving yet again why he's a force in the music world.

Rising Stars: A Big Year for Riize & Aespa

The Global Rising Artist award went to Riize, whose track "Impossible" caught the attention of fans worldwide, and with their growing fanbase, it’s clear they’re a group to watch. Meanwhile, Aespa picked up several trophies, including Best Female Group, and their fan-favorite performances continue to push boundaries with every comeback.

But the real surprise of the night? BoyNextDoor's win for Best Performance in the male category, marking them as a rising force in K-pop performances. Fans are certainly excited for what’s next for these powerhouse rookies!

Best Group & Best Solo: Familiar Faces Take the Spotlight

As expected, BTS claimed Best Male Group, while Aespa took home Best Female Group, continuing their reign as one of the most iconic girl groups of their generation.

In the solo categories, Jungkook continued to shine with his win for Best Male Solo, while IU once again proved her incredible artistry by taking home the Best Female Solo award.

The Best of the Best: Genre Awards

There were plenty of memorable performances and hits in 2024, and the Genre Awards highlighted the best of each category. Charlie Puth's smooth track “Beautiful Things” took home Best Pop Song, while Benson Boone made his mark with “Beautiful Things,” winning Best Dance for the year.

On the R&B front, Baek Ye-rin’s “Square (2017)” captured hearts, while Heize’s “We Don’t Talk Together” continued her dominance in the Best R&B category.

Best Rock went to N.Flying for their track “Rooftop,” while Best Trot was claimed by Lim Young-woong with “Trust in Me”—a fan favorite.

Special Awards: Honoring K-pop Legends and Legends in the Making

This year, the Music Video Award went to (G)I-dle for their striking visuals in "Tomboy." Meanwhile, the Song Writer Award was a historic win for Jeon So-yeon of (G)I-DLE, whose creative genius shines through in their hits like "Super Lady," "Fate," and "Klaxon."

Other notable special awards went to Shinee, who won Stage of the Year for their epic “Shinee World VI: Perfect Illumination” tour, and Kakao Hot Star Award, which went to Riize, further solidifying their rising popularity.

Fan Favorites: Popularity Awards

The Netizen’s Choice Award was a tight race, with BTS coming out on top again, thanks to their all-time hit "Dynamite." Meanwhile, Lim Young-woong made history by winning the Hot Trend Award for his heartwarming performances that always resonate with fans.

2024’s Most Iconic Collaborations

As collaborations continue to dominate the charts, Coldplay & BTS took home Best Collaboration for “My Universe,” a song that bridged cultures and languages with its universal message. Similarly, 10cm & Big Naughty's “Beyond Love” was a hit, bringing a fresh sound to the music scene.

A Night to Remember

2024’s Melon Music Awards reminded us why K-pop continues to soar in popularity around the globe. With legendary artists, groundbreaking performances, and rising stars, this year’s ceremony was a celebration of everything that makes K-pop so special.

From the unforgettable performances to the incredible wins, it’s clear that the future of K-pop is brighter than ever. Whether it was (G)I-Dle’s historic night or Riize making waves on the global stage, 2024 marked yet another landmark year for K-pop—and fans can’t wait to see what happens next.

Stay tuned for more K-pop magic in the years to come!