
Fans outraged as G-Dragon’s chart-topping hit “Home Sweet Home” gets snubbed from MAMA 2025 nominations
Fans are expressing disappointment and disbelief after G-Dragon’s record-breaking single “Home Sweet Home” failed to receive any nominations at the 2025 MAMA Awards, despite dominating South Korean music charts throughout the year.
Released in November 2024, “Home Sweet Home” marked G-Dragon’s highly anticipated reunion with BigBang members Taeyang and Daesung. The song quickly became one of the biggest domestic hits of 2025, topping the Circle Digital Chart in January and maintaining a strong presence on weekly charts for months. Its nostalgic yet fresh sound resonated with listeners, earning both critical acclaim and massive public attention. Many fans and industry observers expected it to compete for top honors such as Song of the Year or Best Collaboration.
However, when Mnet announced the official list of nominees for the 2025 MAMA Awards on October 16, “Home Sweet Home” was nowhere to be found in the major categories. Instead, G-Dragon’s more recent single “Too Bad,” featuring Anderson Paak, received multiple nominations including Best Collaboration and Best Dance Performance, while other artists had multiple songs nominated, it was only G-Dragon who got snubbed and nominated for one song, when he had the two biggest hits by male soloist in 2025.
The omission sparked widespread backlash online. Fans took to social media platforms to question Mnet’s selection criteria, pointing out that “Home Sweet Home” was one of the most successful songs of the eligibility period. On X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, users expressed frustration over what they viewed as an unjust exclusion, with one viral post stating, “No nomination for ‘Home Sweet Home’? It topped every chart — this feels like a total snub.”
While Mnet has not commented on the reasons behind the song’s absence, industry analysts suggest several possible factors. The award show’s selection process balances streaming data, judges’ evaluations, and global performance, meaning that chart success alone does not guarantee nominations. Some also speculate that Mnet chose to highlight G-Dragon’s newer material, particularly “Too Bad,” which has been promoted internationally in recent months.
Others believe the decision reflects long-standing tensions between major award shows and legacy artists. G-Dragon, who has been a central figure in K-pop for over a decade, often finds his work evaluated through a different lens compared to newer idols. Despite that, “Home Sweet Home”’s enduring popularity has reaffirmed his influence as one of the most impactful soloists in Korean music.
Still, fans argue that recognition from award shows like MAMA remains important. The snub, they say, diminishes one of the year’s most defining songs. “Even without the trophies, the numbers don’t lie,” one fan wrote. “G-Dragon gave us the biggest hit of 2025, and that’s what really matters.”
As discussions continue to trend online, many are calling for fairer nomination standards in future editions of MAMA. Regardless of the awards outcome, “Home Sweet Home” has already cemented its place as one of the standout Korean releases of the year, a cultural moment that, for many, deserved much more recognition.