CJ ENM has unveiled the hosts who will lead the "MAMA AWARDS," the year-end music awards ceremony that has garnered the most attention from global K-POP fans for 24 years.

Park Bo-gum and Jeon Somi have been confirmed as the hosts for the "2023 MAMA AWARDS," which will be held for two days on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, marking the first time a domestic awards ceremony will be held at the Tokyo Dome. As the "2022 MAMA AWARDS" was a year of branding that signaled its evolution beyond Asia into the world's largest K-POP awards ceremony, the role of the hosts as messengers conveying the values pursued by the "MAMA AWARDS" shone brighter than ever. Having fully demonstrated their world-class presence as hosts with skillful delivery and overflowing energy, the two are expected to once again become iconic representatives of the "MAMA AWARDS" this year.

CJ ENM has set "ONE I BORN" as the concept for the "2023 MAMA AWARDS," which encompasses the entire ceremony. This embodies the meaning that "I," the one and only existence in the world with infinite potential, meet "MAMA" and become a perfect "One" through positive energy. Building a new history every year, the "MAMA AWARDS" aims to prove the value of each individual as the most special "one and only existence" in the world, becoming a musical world that fulfills their dreams, and creating a festival space where amazing potential, infinite imagination, and positive energy harmonize. In particular, as the "MAMA AWARDS" has consistently pursued the true power of "Music Makes ONE," it plans to prove that value to the whole world together with the two hosts. Shim Joon-beom, Head of Music Content at CJ ENM, stated, "I believe the two, who were with us in the inaugural year of the 'MAMA AWARDS' brand change, are the perfect icons to convey the values and messages of the awards ceremony," adding, "As this year's '2023 MAMA AWARDS' has promised an interactive stage where people can empathize and join in through 'K-POP,' we plan to introduce some new technologies in our presentation to communicate with global audiences in new ways and provide diverse entertainment."

Attention is focused on the return of Jeon Somi, an icon representing the Gen-Z generation and an enviable artist known for her honest, unhidden charm, positive energy, and healthy self-care. Jeon Somi, who boasts versatility as a solo artist and leads global K-POP trends through various challenges, showed such skillful expertise last year with her witty conversation and relaxed hosting that it was hard to believe it was her debut as a host. Jeon Somi plans to host Chapter 1 on the first day, contributing to the effort for people around the world to empathize and connect through the "2023 MAMA AWARDS."

National treasure-level actor Park Bo-gum, who has been a representative host of the "MAMA AWARDS" since 2017, will host Chapter 2 on the second day. From the first award presentation in the "Worldwide Fans' Choice" category, which began in 2018, to the leap into the world's largest K-POP awards ceremony in 2022, Park Bo-gum is a figure who has helped build the history of the "MAMA AWARDS." Park Bo-gum, who has been well-received for his sincere hosting every time, will have stood at three major Japanese domes: Nagoya in 2019, Osaka in 2022, and Tokyo this year. In particular, as he is considered a representative actor who continues to exert a positive influence, such as by donating his voice for barrier-free films, he is expected to demonstrate a valuable presence.

Meanwhile, the "MAMA AWARDS," which has garnered much attention every year with its spectacular scale, differentiated planning, and iconic stages, is expected to provide even more powerful attractions this year, ranging from unconventional performances expressing the "I" that possesses amazing potential and infinite imagination, to stages that bring out the unique individuality of the artists, and interactive stages where people empathize and join in through "K-POP." The "2023 MAMA AWARDS," held for two days on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, will be sponsored by SAMSUNG Galaxy and will be broadcast live worldwide not only on Mnet but also through the YouTube channel Mnet K-POP, as well as Mnet TV, KCON official, and M2.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr

These are English translations of articles from our GTTOUR Japanese website.