2008 Mnet Korean Music Festival (MKMF)

The 2008 Mnet Korean Music Festival (MKMF) took place last night at Seoul’s Jamsil stadium with it being hailed as the biggest-ever in it’s 10 year history. From the red carpet to the awards ceremony, the entire festival lasted 6 hours. Not only that, it was broadcast live in Korea, China and Japan at the same time which meant that much more watched the event for the first time in history. But the most important thing was who will walk away with the big awards.

In the end, the big awards was split between the 3 most popular groups in Korea right now, Big Bang, Wonder Girls and DBSK. This meant that the MKMF 2008 became an awards ceremony dominated by idol groups. Among the 3 big awards, Big Bang won the Artist of the Year, Wonder Girls won the Song of the Year (Nobody) while DBSK won the Album of the Year (Mirotic).

Big Bang, Wonder Girls and DBSK were all overcome with emotion as they spoke after receiving their awards. After receiving Song of the Year Award for Nobody, they expressed, “We really don’t know how to express our thanks for giving us this big award. We will release even better music to thank our fans.”

Big Bang’s T.O.P. expressed, “Compared to flowers which will wilt at unexpected times, I would prefer to be wild grass that can live a long life.” G-Dragon said, “It’s a really meaningful thing to receive the Artiste of the Year award as a singer. We will work even harder in future to become even better singers.” DBSK who won Best Album of the Year said, “We felt the pressure to restart our promotions again in Korea (after a long while). So we would like to thank our fans and company staff for believing and supporting us all this while.”

It was not just the big awards as Big Bang, Wonder Girls and DBSK also swept up other awards which they were nominated in. This also further established their high popularity status in Korea at the moment. Besides Song of the Year, the Wonder Girls also won Best Female Group and Best Music Video. DBSK picked up Netizen Popularity Award, Style Award and Overseas Viewers Award while Big Bang won the Best Male Group Award and Digital Music Award.

Winners were determined by online voting, panel of judges, album sales, digital downloads as the criteria. Over 30 awards were given away last night.

MKMF 2008: List of Winners

Artist of the Year - Big Bang (Haru Haru)


Song of the Year - Wonder Girls (Nobody)


Album of the Year - DBSK (Mirotic)

10th Anniversary Special Award - Shin Seung Hoon

Best Male Singer - Seotaiji (Moai)


Best Female Singer - Lee Hyori (U-Go-Girl)

Best Male Group - Big Bang (Haru Haru)


Best Female Group - Wonder Girls (Nobody)

Best Newcomer Male - Shinee (Nuna, You’re So Pretty)


Best Newcomer Female - Davichi (Love you Even Though I Hate You)

Best Rock - Nell
Best Hip-Hop - Epik High (One)


Best Ballad/R&B - Brown Eyes (Don’t Go, Don’t Go)


Best Dance Music - Lee Hyori (U-Go-Girl)


Best House & Electronic - Jewelry (One More Time)


Best MV - Wonder Girls (Nobody)


Best MV Director - Jang Jae Hyuk for Wonder Girls (Nobody)


Best OST - Kim Jong Wook & SG Wannabe (Fate Reverse, OST East of Eden)


Digital Music (Most Downloaded) - Big Bang

Our Boys Won 5 Award

- Auction Fashion

- DBSK
Mobile Popularity

- DBSK
Auction Netizen Popularity

- DBSK
Overseas Viewers Award

- DBSK Best Album of The Year