Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 3 hrs ago
MAMA Song of the Year criteria draw criticism over Hwasa and BTS
The 2026 MAMA nominations were announced on October 12.
The awards’ Song of the Year criteria assign 30% to digital performance, 30% to global performance and 40% to judges.
Fans say the criteria may disadvantage Hwasa, whose song “Good Goodbye” was especially popular in South Korea.
Some fans say earlier predictions had Hwasa leading, while predictions after the criteria were released put BTS’s “SWIM” in front.
Critics accuse the awards of favoring HYBE artists, but the text provides no evidence that the criteria were changed or that the awards were rigged.
The dispute matters because the criteria could affect which song wins Song of the Year, and no next step or winner is given.
The 2026 MAMA Song of the Year criteria prompted online criticism after nominations were announced.
The published prediction listed digital performance at 30%, global performance at 30% and judges’ scores at 40%.
Some fans alleged the criteria favored BTS’s “SWIM” over Hwasa’s “Good Goodbye.”
They said Hwasa’s song had a major impact in South Korea and had previously been predicted to win.
The article reports allegations and fan reactions, not evidence that the award was manipulated.
- Who
- Fans criticizing the criteria, and artists Hwasa and BTS.
- What
- The Song of the Year criteria drew criticism over claims that they favored BTS’s “SWIM” over Hwasa’s “Good Goodbye.
- When
- The 2026 MAMA nominations and criteria were reported on October 12; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The MAMA awards; the article does not state where the ceremony will be held.
- Why
- Some fans said the criteria placed greater weight on global performance and disadvantaged Hwasa, whose song they said was especially popular in South Korea.
Hwasa supporters
BTS supporters
Criteria
Hwasa supporters
Some Hwasa supporters alleged that the criteria changed to favor BTS and undermine Hwasa.
BTS supporters
The article does not report a response from BTS supporters.
Song performance
Hwasa supporters
Supporters said “Good Goodbye” had a major impact in South Korea and had been predicted to win.
BTS supporters
The article says that, after the nominations and criteria were released, some predictions put BTS’s “SWIM” in the lead.
Nominations for the 2026 MAMAs were announced, and the Song of the Year criteria were reported.
Fans posted criticism of the criteria and compared predictions for Hwasa’s “Good Goodbye” and BTS’s “SWIM.
Koreaboo published its article about the criticism.
- Song of the Year criteria
- Digital 30%, global 30%, judges 40%
- Nomination eligibility
- October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026
- Tracking period
- Began October 1, 2025
- Hwasa song
- Good Goodbye
- BTS song
- SWIM
Sources
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