Following MAMA's sudden criteria change in choosing the "Album of the Year" (Daesang), SEVENTEEN fans CARATs are enraged and claim that the awards are trying to "sabotage" the K-pop boy group. 

On October 10, CJ ENM, the organizer of MAMA Awards, one of Asia's biggest awards shows, announced that they would improve the judging method, especially for the grand prizes (Daesangs). 

In the case of "Album of the Year," selecting the winner will not be only limited to which group has the highest sales to determine the value of the album. This time, the awards will consider its other qualities including its completeness, visuals, and influence — from planning to music artwork. 

MAMA Judging Criteria Changed, the Album of the Year award, not limited to sales volume.. comprehensive evaluation + it plans to establish a Best Choreography award.

MAMA AWARDS will upgrade its screening method based on differentiated perspectives and know-how.

In the case of… pic.twitter.com/8dxtNhmvGa

— KOREAN SALES (@koreansales_twt) October 9, 2024

With this news, some fans gave their approval, justifying that there are albums that failed to bring home the trophy after missing the album sales criterion. 

However, CARATs were frustrated by this sudden announcement, especially that the ceremony is set to be held in just a month from now. 

Based on initial prediction accounts that analyzed the possible scores of each prospective nominee, SEVENTEEN has the highest potential to win. 

Originally, 80% of the award was based on album sales, and SEVENTEEN so far secured its spot with its release, "Seventeenth Heaven," which has 5.7 million sold copies. 

MAMA has been shady towards Seventeen for the past 5 years, and it’s VERY obvious that they do not want SVT to win ALOTY twice in a row. It’s also very disgusting of them to suddenly change the criteria for the win AFTER the tracking period is over.

Also…👇 https://t.co/FOP2vWxt7y pic.twitter.com/G57e75x7fs

— Blu ★ Diamond¹⁷ (@13_Gems_17) October 10, 2024

I'm crying now and I hate it because I really want to be positive and have the positive fighting spirit but so much keeps happening now the blatant MAMA sabotage included.

Seventeen deserves better. A better fandom, better attitudes from award shows, a better company.

— 🐯 shupashy mari¹⁷ got noticed by scoups 🔥 (@meetme_at17PM) October 10, 2024

knetz on theqoo react to mnet changes criteria lol pic.twitter.com/GPdoB30l31

— J 🧡 (@ccjosh8) October 10, 2024

READ ALSO: SEVENTEEN Wins 'Best Group' at 2024 VMAs, And We're All Screaming 'Well-Deserved!'

While CARATs are still confident that the group can still win even if the quality is the topic, the fandom just finds this move sketchy. 

After all, MAMA has been infamous for being a "cooking show," a term used by K-pop stans to refer to a show where awards were given to the artist that they like, regardless if they did or did not pass the requirements. 

Meanwhile, MAMA Awards will also add a new category this year, the "Best Choreography," and nominees will be unveiled on Oct. 14th. All winners will be awarded during the main ceremony in Los Angeles on Nov. 22nd & 23rd. 

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz