The MAMA Award for Song of the Year (Korean: 올해의 노래상; RR: Olhaeui noraesang) is an honor presented at the annual MAMA Awards, a South Korean awards ceremony presented by Mnet. One of the event's most prestigious daesang (or grand prize) awards,[1] it was first awarded during the ceremony's eighth edition in 2006—then titled the Mnet KM Music Festival. Having gone through various name changes since its inaugural ceremony in 1999,[2] it was renamed the Mnet Asian Music Awards from 2009 until it was rebranded as the MAMA Awards in 2022.[3]
Before 2021, the judging criteria for the award consisted a breakdown of 20% online voting, 40% expert evaluation, 30% digital sales, and 10% record sales.[4] However, prior to the announcement of the 2021 ceremony nominations, it was revealed that online fan voting would be removed from consideration.[5][6] As of 2022, the judging criteria for the award consists of 40% judges panel evaluation and 60% digital song downloads and streaming (40% from South Korea and 20% global).[7]
The Song of the Year award was first presented to vocal group SG Wannabe for "Partner for Life" in 2006, where they also won Album of the Year for the single's parent album The 3rd Masterpiece. Twice and BTS currently holds the distinction for the most awarded artists overall in the category, having both won the prize three times. Two artists have the second-most wins with two each: Big Bang (2007, 2015), and 2NE1 (2009, 2011). IU and BTS have the most shortlisted nominations in the category, with six each.
^Nam, Ahn-woo (October 23, 2009). 엠넷, MKMF 대신 '아시안 뮤직 어워드' 개최 [Mnet to hold 'Asian Music Awards' instead of MKMF]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (November 2, 2021). 2021 MAMA 레이스 본격 스타트 "3일 노미네이션 발표"(공식) [2021 MAMA 'Nominations will be announced on the 3rd' (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Geon-wook (November 28, 2010). 미쓰에이 '베드걸 굿걸', '2010 MAMA' 올해의 노래상 수상 [Miss A's 'Bed Girl Good Girl' wins the Song of the Year award at '2010 MAMA']. Asia Business Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
^Kim, Hye-mi (October 25, 2019). 2020 MAMA, 후보 공개…아이유 ‘올해의 노래’ 3곡→조정석 ‘아로하’ 등 [2020 MAMA, Nominees Revealed..."Song of the Year" IU's 3 songs→Cho Jung-seok's "Aloha" etc.]. News Inside (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
^Jeong, Seong-min (November 29, 2023). "'불참' 뉴진스, 'Ditto'로 대상 챙겼다(MAMA 2023)" ['No-show' NewJeans wins Grand Prize with 'Ditto' (MAMA 2023)]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.