The 2026 MAMA Awards are shaping up to be one of the most anticipated K-pop events of the year, as the ceremony will be held over two consecutive days for the first time at Kyocera Dome Osaka in נαραи. This year’s edition will also introduce a 360-degree stage and feature the largest lineup of performing artists ever αѕѕembled in a single host city.

At this year’s awards, BTS are returning as a group and are among the acts receiving the most nominations, including in some of the ceremony’s biggest categories. With several awards determined by fan votes, ARMY have been actively encouraging one another to vote and rallying support across social media platforms.

However, a recent development has υиєχρє¢тє∂ly caused concern among many fans, somewhat dampening their spirits as the voting period enters its final stretch.

On November 3, 2026, social media was abuzz with reports that Lee Sun-myung (이선명), a journalist from Sports Kyunghyang, had been selected as a member of this year’s MAMA judging panel. The reports were accompanied by an image of a contract between CJ ENM — the company behind MAMA, which organizes the awards through Mnet — and Lee Sun-myung, shared as evidence confirming his role in the ceremony.

What makes this particularly controversial is that Lee Sun-myung has often been labeled by netizens as Min Hee-jin’s “attack dog” or “mouthpiece.” The former ADOR CEO has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict with HYBE since 2024 and has repeatedly drawn BTS (particularly V), ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM into controversies that many fans consider unnecessary.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, the journalist published numerous articles criticizing HYBE or expressing views that some readers considered favorable to the former ADOR CEO. In February 2026, he published an article whose headline suggested that HYBE had previously used media tactics against Min Hee-jin, while also portraying the court ruling in her put-option dispute in a positive light.

According to information shared by MAMA, judges’ evaluations account for approximately 40% of the total scores in several major categories, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and group awards. These are also categories in which BTS are facing fierce competition from several other major groups. This has left many ARMY concerned that a journalist perceived as close to Min Hee-jin and openly critical of HYBE could potentially put BTS or other HYBE artists at a disadvantage.

On social media, many fans have questioned the criteria for selecting judges, arguing that this decision could undermine MAMA’s credibility. While some ARMY remain confident that BTS’s sales, streaming numbers, and fan votes will be strong enough to secure their chances, others admit that the latest development has left them feeling uneasy. Fans have shared the following reactions:

- Not MAMA inviting a journalist who has publicly dragged BTS,LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT. to sit on its judging panel. Out of all the people they could have chosen, THIS was the decision? And we’re supposed to take the judging process seriously? 

- Shouldn't the judges be music critiques, why r random αѕѕ reporters joining the panel

- Suspectability is obvious. But it's also known that MAMA panel has already carried SM executives, bud∂ιєs and paid moles, who insiders said they downvote HYBE and JYP artists while heavily favoring SM. MAMA judging panel was never fully clean and we still won plenty

- That is insane. This guy has already publicly proven he is corrupt and unethical

- We can’t go ONE DAY without having to fιgнт the entire dog industry just to get BTS the recognition they deserve. IHf this isn’t enough to push you to vote then idk what will.

- He's judging mama performances based on kakao talk screenshots and shaman advice. Sick work

- Wow... @MnetMAMA just keeps losing credibility with every pαѕѕing day

- The fact that mama actually invited someone with a clear track record of dragging bangtan onto their judging panel tells you everything you need to know about this award show. total lack of objectivity and professionalism, they really put corrupt politics over real music

- This is all fckng circus for real, lets all say goodbye to these so called "daesang" cus we all know who will win after