Twice’s fans, known as Once, were very excited, and Twice trended across many global social media platforms and the news topped various portal sites in South Korea.

The song was co-written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic, who posted on social media that it would be Twice’s next single on social media, but the release date is not known yet.

Collaborations galore

Whether it was girl groups covering BoA’s songs, including Aespa’s Winter making a surprise appearance, or Jessi and Hwasa covering Rain’s viral hit Gang, Monsta X and rookie label mates Cravity teaming up, Tomorrow X Together covering BTS’ Dynamite, or Stray Kids, The Boyz and Ateez going at it in regal, warlike performances, collaboration stages made the six-hour 2020 Mama awards worthwhile.

BTS the big winners

Collectively, BTS received eight awards, while Suga, who is recovering from a shoulder injury but made an appearance over the phone to give an acceptance speech and as a hologram during a performance, also won one in collaboration with IU for their song Eight.

After winning the artist of the year award, J-Hope said: “Big thanks to Army, who is watching at this time. I am truly grateful that we are able to come here each year and perform for you. A lot of things have changed this year, but my gratitude remains constant.

“Every step BTS takes, every growth along the way – we hear about how great our fans are. I want to stress that our Army is the reason we are able to make this acceptance speech and perform on stage. I don’t say this enough, but I would like to take a moment to thank the rest of the band. Because of you, I was not lonely or sad – we all did good this year, I love you! Especially Suga, get well soon – wish you were here. This award is not complete without you.”

Big three are back

All of South Korea’s historic big three K-pop companies were in attendance for the first time since 2015. JYP, SM, and YG Entertainment were all represented after years of industry fallouts resulting in the latter pair not sending artists to the Mnet Awards for several years.

YG Entertainment artists haven’t been in attendance at Mama shows since 2016, even though they had been front-and-centre since Mama began in 2009, but this year the company’s rookie group Treasure had their own set and won several awards.

Unwanted guest

The coronavirus took centre stage at 2020 Mama. Not only were there frequent mentions of the virus throughout the night, but many award recipients gave their acceptance speeches while wearing masks, or briefly removing them to speak. Additionally, in between each performance and award announcement, a woman in a silver bodysuit was seen cleaning microphones with disinfectant.

All the 2020 Mama winners

Artist of the year BTS

Song of the year BTS, Dynamite

Album of the year BTS, Map Of The Soul: 7

Worldwide icon of the year BTS

Best new male artist Treasure

Best new female artist Weeekly

Best male group BTS

Best female group Blackpink

Best male artist Baekhyun

Best female artist IU

Best dance performance: solo Hwasa, Maria

Best dance performance: male group BTS, Dynamite

Best dance performance: female group Blackpink

Best vocal performance: solo IU

Best vocal performance: group Mamamoo, Hip

Best band performance Day6, Zombie

Best hip hop & urban music Zico

Best collaboration IU featuring Suga, Eight

Best OST (soundtrack) IU

Best music video BTS

Favourite male group NCT

Favourite female group Iz*One

Favourite dance performance group Tomorrow X Together

Favourite dance performance male solo Taemin

Favourite dance performance female solo Jessi, Nunu Nana

Inspired achievement BoA

The most popular artist Twice

Notable achievement artist Seventeen

Global favourite performer Seventeen

Discovery of the year Ateez

Best stage Monsta X

Best of next Cravity

Best new Asian artist Jo1

Favourite Asian artist WayV

Worldwide fans’ choice top 10 (in order of announcement) NCT, Treasure, Tomorrow X Together, Got7, Ateez, Seventeen, Mamamoo, Twice, BTS

Best Asian artist: Japan Official Hige Dandism

Best Asian artist: Mandarin G.E.M.

Best Asian artist: Thailand Ink Waruntorn

Best Asian artist: Indonesia Rizky Febian

Best Asian artist: Vietnam Binz

Best new Asian artist: Japan Fujii Kaze

Best new Asian artist: Mandarin Chih Siou

Best new Asian artist: Thailand Milli

Best new Asian artist: Indonesia Tiara Andini

Best new Asian artist: Vietnam Amee

Best executive producer of the year Bang Si-hyuk

Best producer of the year Pdogg

Best composer of the year Yovie Widianto

Best engineer of the year Gu Jong-pil, Kwon Nam-woo

Best video director of the year Lumpens

Best choreographer of the year Quang Dang

Best art director of the year Mu:E