MAMA 2014: K-pop group's EXO-rdinary win

They made headlines worldwide when two of their members, Kris and Luhan, filed separate lawsuits against their agency SM Entertainment and left the group.

But despite a controversy-ridden year, K-pop supergroup EXO showed that their popularity have not waned one bit.

At the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) yesterday, EXO emerged as one of the two biggest winners of the night. The other big winner was Taeyang of Big Bang fame.

Appearing as a 10-member group - minus Kris and Luhan - at the awards, EXO edged out other boy bands such as Super Junior and Beast to clinch the Best Male Group title. They then went on to win the Artist of the Year and Album of the Year awards.

Leader Suho, 23, said: "It's all thanks to the fans' support which allowed us to bag such big awards. We will continue to do our best."

Another member added: "People say that this year had been a dark one for EXO but today in MAMA, we showed that we still can do it."

It was a star-studded night as big-name stars, including US singer-songwriter John Legend, turned up in one of K-pop's biggest year-end awards ceremonies, held at the Asia World Expo in Hong Kong.

Singer Taeyang, 26, who released his second solo album RISE this year, bagged three awards, including Best Vocal Performance (Male), Best Male Artist and Song of the Year.

HUMBLE

When receiving his awards on stage, the humble artist thanked his friends and fans, and also his parents for giving him a good voice.

As if to reward his fans for their generous support, he put up a stunning performance later with fellow bandmate, G-Dragon.

The duo performed their latest chart-topping hit Good Boy live for the first time to deafening screams from the audience.

In a night of collaborations, popular boy bands Block B and BTS performed their tracks together on stage, including an energetic cover of The Black Eyed Peas' Let's Get It Started.

YG Entertainment's artists Epik High, Bobby, BI and Minho from rookie boy band Winner also came together for an upbeat and entertaining performance of Epik High's new track, Born Hater.

COLLABORATION

But it was veteran singer Seo Taiji's collaboration with idol Zico and rapper Vasco which got everyone, including the stars, on their feet.

Together, they performed a rock-influenced rendition of Seo's classic hit, Come Back Home.

Other nominees who did not go home empty-handed included singer Ailee and new boy band Winner.

Ailee, 25, repeated history by winning the Best Vocal Performance (Female) award two years in a row.

Winner, who are Big Bang's juniors, beat out their competitors, including rival boy band GOT7, to clinch the Best New Artist award.

jocelee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Dec 4, 2014.
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