The 17th Melon Music Awards arrives this weekend with a headlining lineup led by G‑Dragon, Jennie, and EXO. The ceremony takes over Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on December 20 at 5 p.m. KST, streaming on the Melon app/website and via Melon’s official YouTube channel.
“G‑Dragon, Jennie lead star‑studded lineup for 17th Melon Music Awards.”
Korea JoongAng Daily framed the show’s main draw that way, alongside a wide slate of this year’s chart leaders and rookies. Here’s what to know before showtime.
When and where
- Date & time: December 20, 2025 (Sat), 5 p.m. KST
- Venue: Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul
- Live stream: Melon app/website and a global window via Melon’s official YouTube channel; final URLs and any region notes typically post close to showtime. Check Melon on the day for the direct link.
Who’s performing
Melon’s updated event lineup highlights G‑Dragon (BIGBANG), EXO, and Jennie (BLACKPINK) alongside Jay Park, Zico, aespa, IVE, RIIZE, PLAVE, NCT WISH, ILLIT, BOYNEXTDOOR, 10CM, WOODZ and more. As always, lineups can shift, so check the day-of card for any late additions.
- Lineup reference: MMA 2025 – Seoul (Lineup)
- Headline framing: Korea JoongAng Daily
Confirmed facts vs. fan talk
Confirmed: G‑Dragon, EXO, and Jennie are in the performance lineup, and the show will be streamed through Melon’s platforms and YouTube. Per current coverage, G‑Dragon and Jennie also appear in major nominee categories this year.
Fan talk: Phrases like “G‑Dragon’s first MMA stage in 10 years” and “EXO’s first in 8 years” are trending. That timeline reflects community memory and excitement, but current press materials do not use those exact phrases or provide official last‑appearance dates. Treat the “X years” wording as fandom framing unless Melon or the artists’ teams state it directly.
Why this lineup matters
G‑Dragon’s return to a year‑end mega stage in Korea is a marquee moment. EXO adds heavyweight second‑gen power to an already stacked bill. Jennie’s solo stage underscores how BLACKPINK members’ individual runs continue to headline award shows.
For MMA, the mix of legacy icons and 2025 chart leaders sets up a high‑stakes broadcast against other year‑end festivals. Expect big‑stage production and heavy social chatter throughout the night.
How to watch live
- On Melon: Visit melon.com on show day for the MMA banner or the app’s live tab.
- On YouTube: About 30–60 minutes before 5 p.m. KST, search “Melon Music Awards 2025 live” on YouTube and confirm the stream is from Melon/Kakao’s verified channel.
- Geo‑note: If your region is blocked, Melon typically uploads key stages (G‑Dragon, EXO, Jennie, etc.) as official clips after the broadcast.
Nominations snapshot
G‑Dragon and Jennie are both up for top categories like Artist, Song, and Album of the Year, adding extra spotlight to their MMA stages. For the full nominee list and category details, see Soompi’s summary.
- Nominees overview: Soompi – “Melon Music Awards 2025 Announces Nominees”
What we’re still waiting on
- Stage spoilers: No official setlists or collaboration reveals yet for G‑Dragon, EXO, or Jennie. Ignore circulating “medley/guest” posts until Melon or the agencies confirm.
- Running order: Melon usually shares program flow or teaser clips closer to the show; keep an eye on their socials the morning of Dec. 20 KST.
- Potential music tie‑ins: Fans speculate about an Alan Walker “Too Bad” remix drop. As of now, it is not officially tied to MMA.