Photo Credits: Mnet

Award season 2020 favourite performances

2020 was the year of changes, and our favourite K-pop stars joined the wagon and pulled off fantastic online performances for fans around the world.

The awards season this year was very different, stages were limited and had to be pre-recorded due to restrictions, however, our favourite singers were able to create great stages and some very unexpected collabs that surprised many. 

For this years’ list of performances rather than listing our Top 10 favourites, we have decided to share the stages we enjoyed the most in no particular order. 

Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)

Taemin:

Our  King Taemin opened the MAMA Awards with breathtaking performance and incredible vocals. Indeed, a legend. 

Hwasa:

Hwasa’s performance surprised me, that intro with the water was dramatic and stunning, and as usual she killed it with her singing. 

The Boyz X ATEEZ X Stray Kids:

Through this performance we found the line-up for the next season of Road to Kingdom, and we just can’t wait. These three groups are incredible and this performance was top quality.

NCT 2020:

NCT 2020 released a lot of music and had the longest performance of the ceremony. I liked how each unit was able to perform their own music and how at the end clicked with the stage ‘Resonance’.

BoA:

The MAMA awards this year celebrated the very impressive discography the Queen BoA has released since her debut. We were able to relive a few of our favourite songs and enjoy her latest release. 

Melon Music Awards

BTS:

As usual BTS killed it with this stage. My favourite part is the intro, the instrumental version of ‘Black Swan’ is just stunning. The stage for ‘Life Goes On’ was beautiful and emotional. Absolute legends.

Code Kunst x Jannabi’s Choi Jung Hoon x Simon Dominic:

An unexpected performance that did not disappoint, they are all total legends and this stage was simple but beautiful. 

TXT:

TXT’s performance was full of amazing CG and a lot of charm and emotion with every single movement. 

Oh My Girl:

Oh My Girl’s YooA’s single stage plus ‘Non-Stop’ and ‘Dolphin’ had me fangirling during this performance. I absolutely loved every single minute of it. 

SBS K-pop Awards

ATEEZ: 

The 90s Hip-Hop aesthetic of this performance got me hyped up, and I loved every single bit of it. 

Itzy:

The Cowboy girl concept for this stage was superior. Itzy can pull off any concept in fairness, but this one was just extra cool.

TWICE:

The vintage outfits for this stage had me remembering my favourite classic movies. TWICE killed it with their vocals, aesthetics and concept, a ten out of ten.

Stray Kids:

God’s Menu’ is without a doubt one of 2020 top hits, and this performance is incredible, the intro is insane and the guys did a fantastic job in this performance. 

KBS Music Festival:

Jessi x Jackson:

We love wholesome interactions and Jessi x Jackson was one we were excited about. They are incredibly talented and this stage is just fire! 

Sunmi X JYP:

No one rocks the disco concept better than JYP and Sunmi together. Absolutely loved the throwback to the Wonder Girls track ‘Nobody’, and the full stage.

BTS:

This BTS throwback to ‘I Need You’ just made me realise how much this group had grown both literally and figuratively. Living legends with a bright future ahead.

Special mentions from KBS Music Festival:

Collab Stages we loved:

  • Hyunjin (Stray Kids) x Shotaro (NCT) x Moonbin (Astro) x Ju Yeon (The Boyz) – Hard Carry (GOT7):
  • Sinb (GFriend) x Yooa (Oh My Girl) x Kwon Eunbi (IZ*ONE) x Ryujin (Itzy) – BOSS (NCT U)
  • Stray Kids – Dionysius (BTS)

Without a doubt, stages for the award season last year were very different and majestic. However, the ones for this year were special, full of charming moments and cool special effects.

If you want to check our Top 10 performances for the award season 2019, check them here.

K-Beauty enthusiast, Drama Lover, Melophile and Foodie, writing about her faves on a daily basis.