G-Dragon of K-pop supergroup Big Bang directly addressed fans’ concerns as debate intensified over his live performance at the 2025 MAMA Awards.
The star took the stage at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium on November 29, performing a medley of his solo hits. Although he secured four major awards, including Artist of the Year, his vocals became the center of controversy online as viewers questioned the authenticity and stability of his live singing.
This marks the third time in a year that his vocal ability has faced scrutiny, following last year’s SBS Gayo Daejeon and his March solo concert in Goyang, where issues related to pitch and breath control were raised.
Loyal fans pushed back, arguing that technical difficulties were to blame and pointing to his repeated adjustments of in-ear monitors as signs that audio complications affected the performance.
Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon’s management agency, addressed the controversy on December 1 by releasing behind-the-scenes footage revealing that his MAMA Awards performance underwent last-minute changes.
According to the agency, G-Dragon had originally prepared a different lineup after Drama and Heartbreaker, but upon learning about a tragic local apartment fire, he chose to perform Untitled instead. The agency also confirmed that he donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars (127000 USD) to support the fire victims.
As discussion continued online, fans rallied to defend him. On November 30, one supporter posted a passionate fancam arguing that the criticism of G-Dragon’s live performance was unwarranted and that people needed to consider the circumstances, praising him for delivering a strong stage.
G-Dragon liked the post through his official account, a rare gesture that quickly drew widespread attention. The video also carried a message wishing him rest and comfort, which he appeared to acknowledge.
Before this, G-Dragon had hinted at his awareness of the backlash by leaving a cryptic thumbs-down emoji and ellipsis under the awards ceremony’s official upload of his performance, suggesting clear dissatisfaction with the situation.
Fans can now look ahead to the G-Dragon 2025 World Tour We Born to Be in Seoul Encore, scheduled for December 12 to 14 at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome.
