'Unpretty Rapstar' has been reborn as a hip-hop girl group audition.
On the morning of the 15th at the Elliena Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Mnet held a production briefing for its new survival show Unpretty Rapstar: Hippop Princess. The production briefing was attended by PD Jeong Min-seok, Hwang Geum-san, head of business at Chapteri, and main producers i-dle (아이들) So-yeon (Jeon So-yeon), Gaeko, Riehata, and Iwata Takanori, who spoke about the show.
Unpretty Rapstar: Hippop Princess is Mnet's new Korea-Japan joint project to create a hip-hop girl group, bringing together participants with distinct hip-hop, K-pop and J-pop identities to directly participate in all processes including music, choreography, styling and video production, with the goal of creating a new global hip-hop girl group.
PD Jeong Min-seok said, "The ultimate goal is to create a girl group in the new genre of 'hippop,' which blends hip-hop and pop. About 10 years ago on Unpretty Rapstar, the competition centered on the skills of female rappers and their confident, candid personas, and we hoped to reflect those elements in our project, so we decided on the title Hippop Princess for the project."
This program is the first collaborative project conducted by Chapteri, a joint venture established by CJ ENM and Japanese advertising agency Hakuhodo. Hwang Geum-san, head of business, said, "This year Mnet marks 30 years, and we feel we have contributed to the music ecosystem and are thinking a lot about the next 30 years. Our mission is to create a K-pop generation. To do that, we thought we should pursue new business methods, so by combining Mnet's global production capabilities with deep marketing solutions, changing the business structure and project approach could increase global competitiveness, which is why we proceeded as a joint venture with Hakuhodo."
So-yeon, who appeared as a contestant on Unpretty Rapstar 3, which aired in 2016, said when asked about returning as a main producer after nine years, "I feel good that Unpretty Rapstar has been reborn. I was a high school student then, so it's an honor to be able to do this program again as an adult nine years later. I'm really grateful to be part of it."
In the meantime, So-yeon has also participated as a producer on idol audition programs such as After School Excitement and Boy Fantasy. When asked about what sets Hippop Princess apart, she said, "It's not the first time I've judged an audition show. I used to emphasize charm or star quality a lot. But this program, unlike typical audition shows, carries the title Unpretty Rapstar, so I keep telling the contestants that skill must come first. Appearance is important, but in this program I think skill should be the top priority."
She continued, "Compared with the original Unpretty Rapstar, the program itself is actually very different, but it's better seen as similar in spirit. Unlike audition shows that are sentimental, soft, prettified and filtered, this will have a look, clothing style and way of rapping closer to Unpretty Rapstar. Usually in idol groups there is a rapper position, but these contestants can all make and create; that's what differentiates this from other programs and what makes it similar to Unpretty Rapstar."
Gaeko, who has worked as a producer on Show Me the Money, explained why he joined the girl group audition Hippop Princess: "When I was asked to participate as a producer, I was curious too. The concept of combining hip-hop and pop and making a group with hip-hop characteristics sounded really interesting. I'm a hip-hop artist, and as someone who loved groups with hip-hop and R&B characteristics when I was young, it would be gratifying to take part in creating such a group for my musical career, so I joined."
He said, "I've worked with many hip-hop artists and idols, but this is the first time I've participated from the start by watching the contestants, so I'm very excited. I was surprised watching the contestants. I wondered how they could be so capable at that age. Thinking back to what I was doing at that age—watching TV with friends and scratching my belly while listening to music—I wondered how they could be so good. There are more contestants than expected who are encountering rap for the first time. Seeing their absorption, talent and potential is amazing. Watching these young people find what they want and challenge themselves makes me feel how much the world has changed."
Regarding differences in judging criteria, Gaeko said, "Show Me the Money featured rappers active in the scene and artists aspiring to be rappers competing as soloists, while this follows Unpretty Rapstar but ultimately is a concept to create a group. Knowing that, I participated. Basically, we look for members who, by becoming part of a group, can produce, write their own raps and perform them on stage with a microphone. Because I have worked in hip-hop, I focus on those aspects. I look at how well a contestant can express their written rap on stage, whether they have creative elements that set them apart, and whether they have something special. Also, can they deliver their story so the audience hears it? I inevitably look at those things. Other producers are very good at assessing performance, fashion and other charms, so I particularly focus on rap."
Riehata, who was active on World of Street Woman Fighter (hereafter 'Street Woman Fighter 3'), said, "By participating in Street Woman Fighter, I understand how participants in Unpretty Rapstar feel. What's important is that while they may be obsessed with winning or losing, they also feel they are fighting themselves. As a producer, I hope to play the role of an older sister—or perhaps a mother—who raises that motivation in a harsh environment so they can grow. Fighting costs a lot. Both at my age and the contestants' age, we gathered here because we love rap and dance, so I hope they burn that passion. I also want to enjoy and immerse myself in the performances."
Iwata Takanori also said, "In Japan I work as an actor, solo artist and as a member of a group, so I'm honored to be offered the role of producer. When I joined as a dance and vocal member, I passed an audition. Based on my experience, I thought I could offer something to the contestants, so I participated. We've recorded a few times, and I was surprised by the high level of the contestants. Forty talented contestants from both Korea and Japan gathered, and I think viewers will be moved by the moments of drama, not just who wins or loses. Their dream-chasing spirit shines, and I think we can convey that. Korean contestants had many with strong skills. Japanese contestants are less polished but grow every time we meet them. That spurs me on. They are working hard in a foreign country, and I feel that regardless of age."
Because Hippop Princess is an audition program to form a hip-hop girl group, the contestants selected through the audition will act as a group. When asked about activity plans, Hwang Geum-san, head of business, said, "The group formed here will sign a contract with Chapteri in '26 and will receive full support from CJ and from Japanese advertising agency Hakuhodo without reservation. Because this program emphasizes creating growth and promoting group activities through new methods, we will provide activities and marketing different from the usual formats. Many aspects of contracts are similar between Japanese and Korean management, but there are slight differences that are in the adjustment phase. We'll provide details separately when they are finalized."
On the composition of Japanese members, he said, "We wanted a group that can handle missions using a handheld microphone and perform true live shows, a group that can tell their own stories and make their voices heard. We plan to create a group that can self-produce, choreograph and do 100% live performances. The number of members is still under consideration. Among missions is a track competition in the style of Unpretty Rapstar, and while Korean members are strong and Japanese members are strong, we are trying to reach a harmonious, respectful balance, so we will finalize details as the program progresses. Please understand. What is certain is that we expect many stages that are differentiated from existing groups."
Because this is an audition for a girl group, unlike the original Unpretty Rapstar, rap skill alone will not suffice. When asked which areas—rap, dance, producing ability—are prioritized, PD Jeong Min-seok said, "Actually, you have to be good at all three. While producing, I wondered which point is most important, and although we inherit the tone of Unpretty Rapstar, the missions mainly involve producing ability, rap making and creating, and styling, so I think producing ability may be the first priority."
On the selection method for the debut lineup, Hwang Geum-san, head of business, said, "It's very important that contestants can represent the teens of both countries with language and stories that resonate, so those who can tell their own stories and convey the voice of their generation will stand out the most. The producers here will be heavily involved in selection, but we will also conduct global voting. Voting is already underway and will be reflected starting from episode 3. In the future, selection will be through Korea-Japan and global voting."
Finally, Iwata Takanori said, "Viewers will be surprised by the level of the contestants. The stages feature high completion and contestants expressing their charms. Whether they become team members together or face off as different teams, they not only choreograph but also produce rap lyrics for the same song, so it's enjoyable to see how creatively they interpret different aspects."
Riehata said, "As a woman I wanted to be a cool woman from a young age but had nowhere to stand. Even as a dancer, the demands are different and among pro dancers, because I was a woman, I was told to create choreography for women. I'm confident I can create something as cool as men, but there was no place, so from my teens I thought I had to create that scene. Seeing the 40 contestants not only being cute but wanting to be cool and producing, it made me as happy as if it were my own work. My heart burned and I felt saved back to my childhood, so I want to support them from the bottom of my heart. I hope everyone enjoys this together."
Gaeko said, "Listening to the raps of the 40 contestants was fun during recording. Rapping in both languages and showing different charms was a special experience. Some are experienced and good at rap, but others love rap and are trying it for the first time, writing and performing it for the first time. Watching imperfect beginnings and growth is also very interesting. Ultimately they compete in different languages, but growth is unavoidable at the end. The viewing point is how they influence, compete and harmonize across languages and what results they produce. I'll keep watching their rap development—how they form identity and improve skills. There will be many pleasures, and I hope viewers who love hip-hop and rap follow closely to the end."
So-yeon said, "I became a singer because I love music, and while it's great that idol friends can just be pretty, I hope more choose singing because they love music. I hope more contestants become creators themselves. I hope many watch this program so there will be more people like that." PD Jeong Min-seok added, "There are intense competitive stories, but overall the process also blends differing cultures and values of young people in Korea and Japan, showing how they fuse and become one. I hope viewers also pay attention to those points."
Meanwhile, Unpretty Rapstar: Hippop Princess will premiere on the 16th at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Lee Dae-seon
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