On the evening of September 8th, The Fact Music Awards 2024 (TMA) wrapped up after two nights of events, featuring numerous prominent K-pop idols. TMA is an annual, prestigious music award show that only gives one Daesang (the most valuable award) to the most influential South Korean artist. As such, K-pop fans eagerly anticipate TMA results every year, as it kicks off the busy year-end award season.
However, this year’s TMA saw a lukewarm response from the public. Held in Japan, both nights of the event failed to spark the usual level of discussion. In fact, many K-pop fans were unaware that TMA 2024 was even happening.
aespa and NewJeans Share a Defining Moment
On the second night, TMA 2024 caught the most attention with the participation of two of the top girl groups, aespa and NewJeans. Considered the leading groups of their generation, competing for every achievement, the relationship between aespa and NewJeans always intrigues netizens.
However, contrary to the tense atmosphere among their fandoms, aespa and NewJeans actually have a very close friendship. The two groups are not shy about supporting and promoting each other’s music. In May, they went viral for filming a dance challenge together.
Additionally, they share a unique connection as both groups have been targeted by HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. aespa is seen as HYBE’s top female group rival, while NewJeans went from being HYBE’s “darling” to being sidelined due to disputes with Min Hee-jin. As a result, the interactions between these girls always generate buzz.
At The Fact Music Awards 2024, aespa and NewJeans shared a “defining” moment together, which netizens dubbed the hottest moment of the awards show. The visuals of these top idols were striking, each with their own unique charm. Fans called it the “visual explosion” of K-pop’s 4th generation. It has been a long time since two top girl groups like BLACKPINK and Red Velvet shared a frame, making this moment a rare occurrence. The moment when NewJeans “acted cute” with aespa also went viral.
A Series of Controversial Awards
With the awards show now over, the winners have been announced. This year, the Daesang at TMA went to aespa. With their explosive return through their debut album and the title track “Supernova” dominating music platforms and breaking the Perfect All-Kill record, aespa’s Daesang win was widely acknowledged as well-deserved.
However, aside from the Daesang, nearly all other award categories at TMA 2024 sparked controversy. The Bonsang Artist of the Year list was missing several notable artists with achievements. Bonsangs were awarded to TWS, NiziU, Kim Jae Joong, NewJeans, aespa, JO1, and ITZY. Many fans were upset, claiming that half of these names were less popular idols. Notable male groups like SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TXT, ENHYPEN, etc., were entirely absent, stirring further debate.
The most criticized among these was TWS, Pledis’s new boy group. As the “younger brother of SEVENTEEN,” TWS’s debut this past year was mired in controversy due to accusations of chart manipulation. Their debut track “Plot Twist” consistently climbed music charts in an unusual way, remaining at the top of MelOn for over six months, despite the group’s low public recognition.
Many K-pop fans felt that TWS’s achievements did not reflect reality. Therefore, when TWS took home three awards at TMA while SEVENTEEN went home empty-handed, suspicions arose again.
TMA 2024 has been criticized for everything from the quality of the awards to the social media buzz. The results were once again mocked as “distributed evenly among artists who attended the show,” calling the credibility of the awards into question. Some even suggested that TMA’s diminishing influence each year stems from this very issue.
List of TMA 2024 Award Winners:
- Daesang: aespa
- Hot Stage of the Year: Kim Jae Joong
- Bonsang Artist of the Year: TWS, NiziU, Kim Jae Joong, NewJeans, aespa, JO1, ITZY
- Next Leader: TWS, NCT Wish
- Global Hot Trend: EVNNE, nSSIGN, xikers, KISS OF LIFE
- Global Generation: Kep1er, &TEAM
- Hottest Award: NEXZ, UNIS
- Hot-Potential: woo!ah!, YOUNG POSSE
- World Best Performer: NewJeans, ITZY
- Listener’s Choice: aespa
- Today’s Choice: TWS
- Worldwide Icon: NewJeans
- Best Music Spring: V (BTS) – FRI(END)S
- Best Music Summer: Lim Young Woong – Home
- Best Music Winter: Lim Young Woong – Do Or Die
- Musinsa Popularity: NewJeans
- TMA Popularity: JO1
- Fan N Star Choice: PLAVE, Lim Young Woong
- Fan N Star Four Star: Stray Kids
- Angel N Star: Lim Young Woong