NCT Dream's Victory at 2023 Melon Music Awards Ignites Controversy

At the 15th Melon Music Awards, held on December 2, 2023, the K-Pop scene celebrated the year's finest achievements with NCT Dream receiving the 'Record of the Year' award. This accolade, however, has spurred a rigorous debate within the K-Pop community regarding the award's judging criteria.

Questions Raised Over Award Criteria

While NewJeans won 'Song of the Year' and 'Artist of the Year,' and IVE claimed 'Album of the Year,' NCT Dream's victory was unique as the 'Record of the Year' is solely determined by a panel of judges, lacking any contribution from sales numbers or fan votes.

In contrast, other major awards at the event, such as 'Album of the Year,' 'Artist of the Year,' and 'Song of the Year,' integrate sales figures and votes alongside evaluations from judges in their selection process. This blend factors in 60% sales score, 20% evaluation score, and 20% votes, whereas the 'Record of the Year' depends entirely on a 100% evaluation score. This has fueled speculation and suspicion about the fairness and integrity of the win.

Public Reaction and Industry Criticism

The decision to honor NCT Dream with the award led to heated discussions, with some fans suggesting the possibility of business collusion between SM Entertainment, the group's management company, and Melon. Critics questioned the group's achievements compared to their peers and scrutinized the legitimacy of their 'Daesang' or grand prize win, pondering over its validity as part of the prestigious lineup. Online forums like Nate Pann and theqoo saw a mix of opinions, from harsh criticism to outright skepticism and occasional support for the group's win.

Despite the outcry, some voices within the community defended the group's win, attributing the decision to the judgment of industry professionals. Throughout the controversy, NCT Dream maintained decorum, exhibiting professionalism and charisma during the event.

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