With BTS not attending MAMA, Lee Jieun was the last remaining 'major name' among the candidates.
However, MAMA refused to make up with IU, who is ineligible for receiving a Grand Prize from it because she had already received a Lifetime Achievement Award from there in 2014. As far as Grand Prizes are concerned, she is a retired singer.
Which means, MAMA will only feature 3.5 gen and 4gen singers this year.
I think NCT and aespa will dominate, with BTS maybe given a special award.
MAMA and CJ are forcing the change of generations, although the K-O-R-E-A-N-S still want to remain in the older gen. It is always the moguls who drive history.