Min Heejin's "Lapdog" Joins the MAMA Judging Panel, Raising Concerns Among Fans About Fairness for BTS

 

The 2026 MAMA Awards are shaping up to be one of the most anticipated K-pop events of the year. For the first time, the ceremony will be held over two consecutive days at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. This year's edition will also introduced a 360-degree stage and feature the largest lineup of performing artists ever assembled in a single host city.

At this year's awards, BTS are returning as a group and are among the most-nominated acts, including in some of the ceremony's biggest categories. With several awards determined partly by fan votes, ARMY have been actively encouraging one another to participate and rallying support across social media platforms.

However, a recent development has unexpectedly sparked concern among many fans, somewhat dampening their spirits as the voting period enters its final stretch.

On November 3, 2026, social media was abuzz with reports that Lee Sun-myung, a journalist from this year's MAMA judging panel. The reports were accompanied by an image of a contract between CJ ENM—the company behind MAMA, which organizes the awards through Mnet—and Lee Sun-myung, allegedly confirming his appoinment to the panel.

What makes this particularly controversial is that Lee Sun-myung has frequently been labeled by netizens as Min Heejin's "attack dog" or "mouthpiece." The former ADOR CEO has been embroiled in a prolonged conflict with HYBE since 2024, and has repeatedly dragged BTS (particularly V), ILLIT, and LE SSERAFIM into controversies that many fans consider unnecessary.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, the journalist published numerous articles criticizing HYBE or expressing views that some readers perceived as favorable to the former ADOR CEO. In February 2026, he published an article whose headline suggested that HYBEh had previously employed media tactics against Min Heejin, while also portraying the court ruling in her put-option dispute in a favorable light.

According to information shared by MAMA, judges' evaluations account for approximately 40% of the total scores in several major categories, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and group awards. These are also categories in which BTS face fierce competition from several other major acts. This has left many ARMY concerned that appointing a journalist perceived as close to Min Heejin and openly critical of HYBE could potentially put BTS and other HYBE artists at a disadvantage.

On social media, many fans have questioned the criteria used to select the judges, arguing that this appointment could further undermine MAMA's credibility. While some ARMY remain confident that BTS's sales, streaming numbers, and fan votes will be strong enough to secure their chances of winning, others admit that the latest development has left them feeling uneasy.

ARMYs' Reactions:

● Not MAMA inviting a journalist who has publicly dragged BTS, LE SSERAFIM, and ILLIT to sit on its judging panel. Out of all the people they could have chose, THIS was their decision? And we're supposed to take the judging process seriously?

● Shouldn't the judges be music critics? Why are random reporters joining the panel?

● The questionable nature of this appointment is obvious. But it's also well known that MAMA's judging panel has previously included SM executives, buddies, and paid moles. Insiders have claimed that they downvote HYBE and JYP artists while heavily favoring SM. MAMA's judging panel has never been entirely clean, and we've still won plenty of awards.

● That is insane. This guy has already publicly demonstrated how corrupt and unethical he is.

● We can't goe ONE DAY without having to FIGHT the entire dog industry just to get BTS he recognition they deserve If this isn't enough to push you to vote, then I don't know what will.

● He's judging MAMA performances based on KakaoTalk screenshots and shaman advice. What a sick work.

● Wow... @MnetMAMA just keeps losing credibility with every passing day

● The fact that MAMA actually invited someone with a clear track record of attacking Bangtan to join its judging panel tells you everything you need to know about this award show. It's a complete lack of objectivity and professionalism. They really put corrupt politics above actual music!

● This is all a fucking circus, for real. Let's all say goodbye to these so-called 'daesangs,' because we already know who's going to win!