JO1 won 'Favorite Asian Artist' at the 2025 MAMA Awards, showcasing their hits with a stunning performance in Hong Kong.
November/30/2025 14:44Related Groups & Members
JO1 won the 'Favorite Asian Artist' award at the world's largest K-POP awards ceremony, the '2025 MAMA AWARDS', held on November 28 (Friday) and 29 (Saturday). The '2025 MAMA AWARDS' is organized by CJ ENM and this year took place at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. JO1 performed on DAY2, the 29th (Saturday), showcasing their long-hit song 'BE CLASSIC' (MAMA ver.) and their latest song 'Handz In My Pocket' in a grand medley performance that depicted a story. As the iconic opening of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 'Fate' sampled in 'BE CLASSIC' resonated through the venue, Ren Kawashiri appeared on the central stage in an outfit reminiscent of Beethoven, playing the piano with an expression of anguish, gradually breaking through the dark and ominous atmosphere. Following this, Takumi Kawanisi and Kazunari Mamehara expressed their gradual liberation through dance on the side stages. Under Kawashiri's direction, other members and dancers stood up, delivering a stunning performance with a heavy piano arrangement, featuring original formations and choreography for the '2025 MAMA AWARDS'. As Junki Kono awakened with a three-stage long tone, they overwhelmed the audience with a group dance of 56 dancers. Following this, a scene where Kawashiri broke the piano, symbolizing 'the presence that binds them', led into a passionate dance break by the members. Transitioning from the classical mood to the EDM sound of 'Handz In My Pocket', the performance concluded with a grand finale that spread across the central venue, captivating not only those present but also K-POP fans worldwide watching the live stream. As the award winners were announced, JO1 was called as 'Favorite Asian Artist' by the presenter. Leader Shō Yonashiro commented in English, 'We were able to receive such a great award because of all the love and support from JAM (fan name).' Ruki Shiraiwa expressed condolences in Chinese regarding a recent fire incident, saying, 'I sincerely sympathize with those affected and pray for a swift recovery from their sorrow.' Kawashiri expressed gratitude in Korean, stating, 'I am thankful to everyone I have met so far, and I want to be a group that can bring happiness to those I will meet in the future.' Finally, Kono called out to the fans in Japanese, 'JAM~! This award is undoubtedly a prize given to us by all of you, JAM. I promise next year will be even more fun, so please continue to support us!' JO1 held their first world tour this year, and 'BE CLASSIC' ranked for the first time on the American radio airplay chart 'Mediabase Top40 Radio Airplay' as a Japanese boy group. Expanding their global activities, JO1 is set to perform at the Jingle Ball in Dallas on December 2 (Tuesday) and at the LA performance on December 5 (Friday), marking their first appearance as Japanese artists.
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