Lee Dae-hwi and Choi Mina Sue Named Hosts of the 2026 MAMA AWARDS Red Carpet; Heading to Osaka on Nov. 20

New Faces Set to Ignite Kyocera Dome Osaka as a Global Music Celebration Begins

CJ ENM officially announced that singer Lee Dae-hwi and television personality Choi Mina Sue have been selected as red carpet hosts for the globally renowned music awards show, the 2026 MAMA AWARDS. The event, one of the largest of its kind and a focal point for K-pop fans around the world, is expected to benefit from the pair’s polished hosting skills and their ability to connect with a global audience.

First launched in 1999 as the Mnet Video Music Awards, the MAMA AWARDS has grown alongside South Korea’s music industry and established itself as a global celebration extending beyond Asia. This year’s event will be held over two days, Nov. 20 and 21, at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan’s largest indoor concert venue.

The red carpet, where fans and artists from around the world meet for the first time, is an important part of the program that sets the tone for the awards ceremony. It will be broadcast live worldwide on major digital platforms, including Mnet Plus and the official YouTube channel, starting at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, the first day, and 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, the second day. The pairing of Lee Dae-hwi, who has a strong global fanbase, and Choi Mina Sue, who is fluent in foreign languages, is expected to elevate the red carpet experience.