Hong Kong hosts Asian music awards ceremony

The 2014 Mnet Asia Music Awards (2014 MAMA), one of the most spectacular events in the global music industry, was held in Hong Kong on December 3.

Hong Kong has been an Asian leader in pop culture for decades. Its well-developed music industry, international city status and mature facilities for hosting grand international events have made the city an ideal choice for the music ceremony.

This former British colony successfully integrated the Western popular culture with its indigenous culture, which gave birth to the unique Hong Kong pop culture. During the period from 1960s to 1990s, when many Asian countries were still struggling above the poverty line, this prosperous metropolis produced many super stars, pop songs and top-grossing films that swept Asia.

The event was sponsored by UnionPay International, a subsidiary of China UnionPay focusing on the growth and support of UnionPay’s global business.

The three major awards, including Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Artist of the Year in Asia, went to Big Bang's Taeyang and EXO. Taeyang also won the award for Best Male Vocal Performance. Big Bang and EXO are the two most popular K-pop bands in Asia.

Many stars from China, Korea and other Asian countries, such as Andy Lau and Song Seung Hun, attended the celebration.

The Mnet Asia Music Awards, which has been held annually since 1999, has attracted a wide audience from South Korea, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and other regions.

This year's event was sponsored by UnionPay International, a subsidiary of China UnionPay (CUP) focusing on the growth and support of UnionPay’s global business. CUP cardholders worldwide enjoyed exclusive advanced ticket purchase privileges for the ceremony. Its services have received positive reviews especially in Hong Kong and South Korea.

CUP gives priority to young consumers, who are close followers of popular culture. Many services, such as the UnionPay Haigou platform for overseas shopping and UnionPay online payment services, are designed to cater to the young generation’s consumption habits.