MAMA used to be such a big deal in K-pop, but I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t even know when it was happening this year! The hype definitely seemed underwhelming. So rather than slog through the entire show and its meaningless awards, I hopped on YouTube and watched the performances. Here are the three that stuck out most to me.
3. Jeon Somi – The Way + Fast Forward
She’s had quite a musical transformation, and her confidence owned this stage. Both songs are total bops and meshed well together. The only awkward point was that too-long costume change transition between them. The stage went silent… and not in a good way. Luckily, the pay-off was worth it.
2. RIIZE + TVXQ – Rising Sun
Rising Sun will never not go off — especially in a live setting. It was a blast to see RIIE perform it (give them music like this, SM!), but then TVXQ came in to show exactly why they’re the rightful owners of this K-pop classic. One day I’ll be able to see this song performed live… I’m manifesting it…
1. Yoshiki x Taehyun x Hueningkai x Jaehyun x Anton x Han Yujin – Endless Rain
Endless Rain is another song that will never not go off. Yoshiki is such an expressive, emotional performer and I loved seeing this tone rub off on the various K-pop stars who joined him. It was a great opportunity to showcase individual skills within the context of a legendary J-pop classic. The high key was a bit of a strain for the TXT guys (who otherwise did a great job), but it’s honestly a strain for almost any vocalist. The emotion and theatricality of the stage made up for any of those shortcomings, and honestly it’s just refreshing to see an idol performance that focused on singing rather than choreo and staging.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
all performances from the 1st day 🫢 I’d include ZB1 too, I really enjoyed the Take My Hand performance, and I got goosebumps from Taerae’s high note in the CRUSH performance.
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Wonbin is soo stable and changmin going straight for the highnote… it just gave me life
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Well, I liked JustB’s Medusa🤣
Endless Rain was wonderful, especially Anton and Kai. I agree it was a good rendition but it sounded a little strained.
BoysNextDoor were a pleasant surprise. Thought their performance and energy were awesome, and a breath of fresh air among all the “darker/harder” performances.
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Enhypen stole the show.
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Wow, never thought I would see Endless Rain performed at MAMA- love it though
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I’m so happy you made a post for this, I knew you would love Rising Sun’s performance, TVXQ stole that first day for me, they were fantastic and I liked the collaboration with Riize. My top 3 was:
1. Rising Sun
2. Endless Rain
3. Grand Prix (the “Mission complete” part broke my heart)
I hope you also share your MMA2023 top 😀
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I had no idea MAMA happened either until clips began to pop up in my youtube suggested feed.
TVXQ for the win, I mean yes of course.
Yunho and Max Changmin come from a different era of dance, looser and more fluid. When they move their limbs its more like noodles swaying and drifting in a current. The RIIZE boys being almost two decades on tend to punch and swat the air like their limbs and joints are articulated through mechanical gears.
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Still I liked their performance both here and on MMA, I saw the debut a few months ago and didn’t pay a lot of attention, but seeing these performances I kinda got high hopes for them😄. I mean, out of these other rookie groups, and even among the ones that debuted a year or two earlier, they feel like the biggest addition and a refreshment honestly!
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