WATCH BTS Perform “ON” At The 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)

When BTS performed “ON” at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), it was more than a showcase of power, precision, and passion, it was a tribute. A tribute not just to the music that shaped their historic year, but to their brother, SUGA, who was absent due to recovery from shoulder surgery. From start to finish, the performance was a masterclass in intensity, scale, and storytelling. But it was the quiet moment at the end, the unmistakable, empty space left in their final formation, that resonated most deeply with fans around the world.

BTS performed their hit song “ON” from the Map Of The Soul: 7 album. As expected with every BTS performance, nothing is ever the same, the stage, the location, the outfits, are always upgraded to give that WOW factor. This “ON” performance was on another level, as they added a new dance break that showcased the artistry that is BTS. It was exciting to see Jin perform SUGA’s part in the dance break.

The stage began in dramatic fashion. Towering visuals and the thunderous sound of drums filled the arena, setting the tone for one of BTS’s most commanding songs to date.

“ON,” with its themes of resilience, facing hardships head-on, and owning one’s story, felt particularly poignant given the context. 2020 had been a whirlwind for BTS, a year of unprecedented success, but also one filled with personal challenges, including SUGA’s health condition that had led him to sit out group promotions temporarily. Still, the remaining members carried the performance with unwavering strength, their choreography as tight and disciplined as ever, their vocals raw and powerful. RM’s commanding rap cut through the stage like a leader leading his battalion, while j-hope’s precision and intensity kept the energy pulsing forward. Jung Kook’s high notes soared with emotion, and Jin’s clear vocals grounded the performance with heartfelt resonance.

The climax of the performance was both grand and intimate. With backup dancers forming intricate patterns, and the music reaching its fever pitch, BTS moved into their final pose, arms lifted over each other’s shoulders, eyes blazing, bodies frozen in perfect symmetry. And then there it was: a gap. A single, deliberate space left open on stage, where SUGA would have stood. The placement was no accident. The group’s formation was complete because of that space, not in spite of it. It was a silent but powerful acknowledgment: “We are seven.” Even when one is gone, his place is held. That simple choice brought tears to the eyes of many fans, as social media lit up with emotional reactions and heartfelt messages to Yoongi.

In that quiet beat between the end of the music and the fall of the lights, there was a stillness that said more than any words could. BTS wasn’t performing just for the audience. They were performing for each other, for the bond that has carried them through every hardship. That one empty space held the weight of love, loyalty, and the understanding that true unity doesn’t require physical presence. It was a message to SUGA, and to every fan watching: You are always part of us.

The performance of “ON” at 2020 MAMA wasn’t just another powerful stage from BTS, but a moment etched into the collective memory of ARMY. A demonstration of what it means to stand strong even when not everyone can stand beside you. Proof of the kind of brotherhood that defines BTS. And a reminder that even in absence, SUGA’s presence was felt—loud and clear.

Watch the performances