K-pop’s biggest year-end spectacle is going full transmedia. At the 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong, a special collaboration with Netflix’s breakout animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters will stage live reinterpretations of performances by fictional girl group HUNTR/X and their rival boy band Saja Boys—an on-paper fantasy now becoming an arena-scale reality. Organizers teased the concept at the show’s press premiere, noting that the “member lineup” for these stages will be revealed as the show approaches. 

What’s officially confirmed

• The collaboration: MAMA will host special stages inspired by K-Pop Demon Hunters, with K-pop artists reenacting HUNTR/X and Saja Boys numbers. Teasers and press coverage have highlighted the face-off flavor of the concept.

• Dates & venue: The two-night ceremony runs Nov 28–29, 2025 at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong (Kai Tak Sports Park).

• Theme & broadcast: This year’s theme is “UH-HEUNG,” with live global streaming via Mnet Plus and partner platforms. 

Why this stage matters

The move blurs the line between animation IP and live K-pop—continuing a year where Demon Hunters bled into chart reality. HUNTR/X (Rumi, Mira, Zoey) emerged as the film’s powerhouse trio, while Saja Boys supplied slick boy-group spectacle; both fueled a soundtrack that dominated timelines and tallied real-world wins. (Notably, HUNTR/X’s “Golden” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this summer, a headline-making moment for a “fictional” girl group.) 

What fans can expect on show night

• A two-chapter showdown feel. Expect contrasting aesthetics: HUNTR/X’s neon-meets-cyber idol energy versus Saja Boys’ sleek pop charisma—stitched together with MAMA’s large-scale stagecraft. Early teasers explicitly frame it as a “HUNTR/X vs. Saja Boys” moment. 

• Live idols embodying animated lore. Organizers say current K-pop artists will step into the HUNTR/X and Saja Boys roles for bespoke stages. Casting is being finalized—so anticipate late reveals and rehearsal-room hints. 

• Cinematic production touches. Given MAMA’s track record with narrative stages—and the film’s signature choreography and styling—look for on-screen worldbuilding, rapid set changes, and fight-scene-smart camera work scaled for stadium screens. (This is inference based on MAMA’s typical production and the film’s aesthetic.) 

The broader pop-culture play

Demon Hunters has been a 2025 phenomenon—driving streams, trending sounds, and even live bookings for the vocal trio behind HUNTR/X. Their first IRL concert slot at LA’s Jingle Ball underlined how quickly the IP jumped from screen to stage; MAMA now gives that leap an Asia-Pacific, award-show megaphone. 

Practical details

• When & where: Nov 28–29 at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong. 

• Who else is around: A starry roster of performers and presenters has been rolling out—another signal that the Demon Hunters collab will sit amid high-impact moments across both nights. 

• How to watch: Global streaming via Mnet Plus; regional partners will simulcast. Check local listings closer to showtime. 

Bottom line

By letting real idols inhabit animated idols, MAMA 2025 isn’t just staging a fun crossover—it’s test-driving how K-pop franchises can live across screens, charts, and stadiums at once. If the casting lands and the edit is tight, HUNTR/X vs. Saja Boys could be this year’s most-talked-about award-show sequence—part cosplay, part canon, all K-pop spectacle. 

Sources: Official announcements and press previews for the Demon Hunters stages and MAMA logistics; coverage by Soompi, Allkpop, Forbes, NME; Hong Kong Tourism Board and venue listings; and reporting on HUNTR/X’s 2025 chart and live milestones.