For the first time in its 25-year history, the MAMA Awards held its inaugural ceremony in the United States for the first day (Nov. 21) of its 2024 ceremony in Los Angeles. Broadcasting live from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the largest K-pop awards kicked off their three days of festivities with chart-topping groups, legendary musicians, and a tightly packed schedule of excitement that fans could watch across social media and stream exclusively on Samsung TV Plus.

The historic day kicked off with a media event in a morning press conference where reporters heard from and talked to performers J.Y. Park and RIIZE, as well as the head of CJ ENM convention business Park Chan Uk.

That afternoon, the stars made their way onto the red carpet. Before the official ceremony began, Billboard spoke to all the artists in attendance like J.Y. Park and RIIZE, as well as TWS, Young Posse, ILLIT, KATSEYE, and host Park Bo Gum (watch all here). Once the show began, all the artists performed on stage — with Park and KATSEYE bringing on special guests — while J.Y., RIIZE, TWS, and ILLIT all won awards throughout the night. Keeping with the Hollywood theme, a slew of surprise presenters were also on hand including Oscar and Billboard Music Award winners.

While fans have been glued to the international stream to not miss a minute of the broadcast, Billboard was also on the scene throughout MAMA’s momentous day to catch all things you might not have seen on TV.

From whispers inside the venue about a new boy band to watch to the private moments with artists like ILLIT and J.Y. Park, plus an exclusive backstage shot of KATSEYE above, here are moments from the KCON LA 2024 weekend that you didn’t see.