On December 11, 2021, the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) was held in Paju City and was hosted by its first-ever female host, Lee Hyori. Numerous of our favorite K-Pop stars bagged a trophy, from groups such as BTS, ENHYPEN, and aespa, to solo artists such as Rosé, IU, and Baekhyun.

With the 2022 MAMA Awards just around the corner, check out some of the unforgettable moments that happened at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards you might've missed! 

1. Special Collaboration Performance by 4th-Gen Idols for Opening Stage

To kick off this year's MAMA, the awards ceremony presented a special opening stage featuring six of the the representative idols of the fourth generation: TXT's Yeonjun, aespa's Karina, Stray Kids' Hyunjin, ITZY's Yeji, ENHYPEN's Heeseung, and ATEEZ' Wooyoung, as they excited the crowd with their amazing dance performance!

2. Girls' Generation's Tiffany and Sooyoung Present Best Female Group

This year, Girls' Generation members Tiffany and Sooyoung were in attendance at MAMA and stunned the crowd with their amazing outfits. However, what's unforgettable about their appearance is that it marks the first time in 10 years since Tiffany and Sooyoung attended the awards ceremony!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Here are the Winners at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)

Not only that, but they presented the award for Best Female Group, an award they have won three times as Girls' Generation, which also signifies their passing of the legacy as a second generation girl group to the next!

3. ITZY and Heo Sung Tae's Collaboration Stage

A crossover we did not expect to see! ITZY's Ryujin brought out her acting chops as she performed an incredible fighting scene on stage to get to the boss, "Squid Game" actor Heo Sung Tae - who definitely played the part as a villain! The acting performance eventually led to ITZY performing "Mafia In The Morning."

4. Wanna One's Reunion Performance

Another unforgettable moment that happened at MAMA was the highly-awaited reunion of the "Produce 101" boy group, Wanna One! This special Wanna One stage marks the members' first time reuniting after three years following their disbandment in 2018. At the ceremony, the group brought tears to fans' eyes as they perform "Spring Breeze," "Energetic," "Burn It Up," and "Beautiful."

6. BTS Takes Home Nine Awards

Although they weren't able to attend the awards ceremony, BTS made history once again as they bagged a total of nine awards at the 2021 MAMA, including all four of the Grand Prizes (Daesang)! At the awards ceremony, BTS won: Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Worldwide Icon of the Year, Best Male Group, Best Dance Performance Male Group, Best Music Video, Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10, and Tiktok Favorite Moment.

5. Lee Hyori and 'Street Woman Fighter' Collaboration Performance

At the awards ceremony, all eight of the dance crews from "Street Woman Fighter" performed on stage to present a fierce dance performance. Not only that, but they also collaborated with host Lee Hyori for the closing stage, where they performed "Do the Dance."

What's special about this stage is that this marks the first time Lee Hyori performed at MAMA in 13 years, following her performance with BIGBANG back in 2008. The return of the first-generation idol queen at the awards ceremony is truly iconic!

Which is your favorite moment at the 2021 MAMA?

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THIS OUT: 2022 MAMA Awards Reveals Hosts, Collab Stages, New Trophy Name, More

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Written by Robyn Joan