Idols under scrutiny after fire breaks out near MAMA venue in Hong Kong, Koreans demand "cancellations"

Article: "Why MAMA’s Fate in Hong Kong Depends on the Government Following the Fire"

Source: The Qoo

A fire has broken out near the venue for this year’s Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Hong Kong, causing a temporary evacuation and widespread concern among fans and performers. While no injuries were reported, the incident has become a hot topic online, with many Koreans pointing fingers at idol activities and performance setups as potential causes.

According to local Hong Kong reports, the fire started in the early afternoon on the 25th near the venue’s backstage area. Firefighters responded immediately, bringing the situation under control within an hour. Event organizers confirmed that the show’s schedule would continue as planned after safety checks. However, online discussions highlighted that some safety protocols might have been overlooked due to last-minute stage adjustments for idol performances.

Officials clarified that while the fire was minor and accidental, the proximity to the stage raised concerns about the high-pressure environment idols face during live events. Both local authorities and the MAMA team emphasized the importance of strict adherence to safety guidelines moving forward.

Koreans are reacting with frustration to the leaked reports. The mood online has quickly spiraled from cautious concern into defensive pushback. Many comments reflect weariness with the recurring pattern of “public tragedy → idol schedule → fans calling for cancellation.” The general tone is less about anger and more about tired frustration and a sense of inevitability. 

Below is a summary of key reactions:

• Several Koreans stressed that since this is clearly driven by the Hong Kong government, it makes little sense to preemptively bash Korean agencies or idols. They argued it’s unfair to judge or demonize performers for decisions outside their control.
• Some were blunt: “Just cancel it already,” or “Why are we acting like this is Korea’s responsibility?” But even those voices often admitted that they were speaking out of resignation to what people would do anyway: blame idols if the event goes ahead.
• Others pointed out the economic and political stakes: hosting a mega-event means money, tourism, and reputational capital. Cancelling on a whim especially when the disaster area isn’t even close to the stadium would cause heavy losses.
• A recurring fear: “If it goes on, idols will get hate. If it’s cancelled, output & livelihoods are screwed.” For many, the outcome felt like a lose‑lose but one in which idols are the most likely to take the blow, regardless of what happens.
• There was also visible backlash against overreaction: some users criticized those demanding cancellation as “overly dramatic,” or “ready-made idol-haters,” suggesting that many weren’t sincerely mourning the tragedy, just looking for excuses to criticize K‑pop idols.
• There was also a sense of distance from the tragic event itself: one user noted that the fire and its aftermath might not even directly affect MAMA’s logistics but the online uproar felt more about controlling idols’ images than anything else.
• Amidst the cynicism, a few voices expressed genuine concern for victims and hoped for “safety first.” But even these notes of sympathies were quickly overshadowed by the larger debate: “Will idols be dragged? Will fandoms be blamed? Will this be used as another avenue of backlash?”

In many ways, reactions reflect a kind of social exhaustion in Korea: from repeated scandals, mud-slinging, from fans’ fear that no matter what, idols, the ones who show up on stage, end up absorbing all the guilt, blame, or backlash.

In the meantime, it's still not clear whether CJ ENM and Mnet will cancel '2025 MAMA' after the fire.