The competitive landscape for the core category ‘TOP10’ of MMA2025 (Melon Music Awards), which determines the most beloved artist of the year, has been revealed.
Kakao Entertainment's music platform Melon has announced the 30 teams nominated for the ‘The 17th Melon Music Awards(2025 Melon Music Awards, MMA2025)’ TOP10 and will conduct voting and attendance check events from November 20 to December 4.
Voting for MMA2025 ‘TOP10’ is open to all Melon users, while the attendance check event is only available to members holding Melon vouchers. Users can vote for their desired artists and complete the attendance check to receive daily MMA invitation tickets (1 person, 1 ticket) and instant win gifts such as mini carriers, humidifiers, diffusers, and lights. On the last day of the event, December 4, an additional opportunity to enter for MMA invitation tickets (85 people, 1 ticket per person) will be available only to members who have completed the attendance check every day.
The list of the 30 teams nominated for ‘TOP10’ includes IU, G-DRAGON, 10CM, MAKTUB, Hwang Garam, DAY6, SEVENTEEN, Lim Young-woong, BLACKPINK, NCT DREAM, Ovan, Jennie, Woody, Tomorrow X Together, aespa, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, Rosé, PLAVE, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, BABYMONSTER, NCT WISH, ILLIT, MEOVV, JAESSBEE, Jo Jae-ju, Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii, and ALLDAY PROJECT.
The nominees have had a spectacular year. G-DRAGON's ‘TOO BAD (feat. Anderson .Paak)’ proved its class by reaching number one on the Melon TOP100 just one hour after its release. 10CM made a dramatic comeback with the theme song ‘I Hope It Reaches You’ from the animation of the same name, which topped the TOP100 within two months of its release after 15 years. Jo Jae-ju's ‘Do You Not Know (PROD. Rocoberry)’ also gradually rose through word of mouth, achieving an impressive record of 39 consecutive days at number two on the daily chart.
Jennie's ‘like JENNIE’ entered the TOP100 immediately after its release and has remained on the chart for nine months, proving its long-term popularity. It recorded number one on the daily chart a total of 14 times, demonstrating ‘solo power’. Additionally, BLACKPINK's new song ‘Jump’ swept the top two spots on the Melon chart, showcasing the strength of the ‘world-class group’ once again.
The momentum of the fourth-generation girl groups is also fierce. IVE started with ‘REBEL HEART’, which topped the monthly chart in February, and followed up with hits like ‘ATTITUDE’ and ‘XOXZ’, showcasing solid popularity. LE SSERAFIM's ‘SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS)’ climbed to number three on the TOP100, proving its global appeal with strong addictiveness.
Teams emerging as representatives of the fifth generation are also notable. ILLIT's ‘Borrowed Cat (Do the Dance)’, BOYNEXTDOOR's ‘I LOVE YOU Only Today’, NCT WISH's ‘COLOR’, and RIIZE's ‘Fly Up’ have entered the upper echelons of the Melon chart, continuing their rise as the ‘next mainstream’.
The rise of newcomers debuting this year is also remarkable. ALLDAY PROJECT's debut song ‘FAMOUS’ reached number one on the TOP100 just three days after its release, leaving a strong first impression, while Hearts2Hearts' ‘The Chase’ and KiiiKiii's ‘I DO ME’ also settled on the charts, showcasing their ‘monster rookie’ status.
MMA2025, with Kakao Bank as the title sponsor, will be held on December 20 (Saturday) at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The main slogan is ‘Play The Moment’, conveying the meaning of sharing all moments connected and recorded through music at MMA2025.
The lineup for the main event includes G-DRAGON, Jay Park, 10CM, Zico, EXO, WOODZ, Jennie, aespa, IVE, Hanrolo, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, PLAVE, NCT WISH, ILLIT, Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii, ALLDAY PROJECT, IDID, and ALPHA DRIVE ONE, raising expectations for the ‘finale stage’ to conclude the year.
