'Hip-pop Princess' has drawn intense interest in the 20 contestants who advanced to the finalist selection round.
Mnet's Unpretty Rapstar: Hip-pop Princess (hereafter 'Hip-pop Princess') is approaching the finalist selection round, the final gate to the finale. As the journey toward the birth of a global hip-hop group nears its end, we take a look at the performances of the 20 contestants who advanced to the finalist selection round and have been showcasing their unique colors and presence in various fields.
▶ "A raw gem recognized by rappers" another-level skilled performers - Kim Do-i, Coco, Nico, Yoon Seo-young
At the center of 'Hip-pop Princess' are the another-level skilled performers who have drawn attention with an extraordinary presence since their first appearance. Producers Soyeon and Gaeko both said it was at a level where you could evaluate them as rappers and wondered whether such an amazing stage could come out of an audition. ▲Kim Do-i (listed here in ABC order) delivered a surprising contrast to her gentle image known as 'Kkamnyang-i' by showcasing a skin-crawling rap skill on stage; ▲Coco cemented her presence with her signature 'mok-tak-tak' performance and distinctive rapping. ▲Nico and ▲Yoon Seo-young, who sparked interest from the moment they appeared with the titles 'No. 1 in Japan' and 'No. 1 in Korea,' respectively, also proved their skills in their own ways. Nico established herself as a skilled all-rounder with unique fashion, confident attitude and unwavering skill, while Yoon Seo-young demonstrated exceptional talent in every mission with genius producing ability and leadership in guiding the team.
▶ Revealing hidden charms that differ from their image - Choi Yu-min, Kim Su-jin, Nam Yu-ju, Rino
Contestants who have stood out by revealing charms different from their image are also noteworthy. ▲Choi Yu-min drove buzz with a witty rap performance during the true battle; ▲Kim Su-jin has shown consistent performances in every mission as an all-rounder with charm, skill and talent, demonstrating intense passion and competitiveness. ▲Nam Yu-ju, who has extensive survival show experience, received strong support with a perfect score in the global fan vote thanks to an attractive voice and stable rap skill behind her idol visuals, and ▲Rino, known as the younger sibling of Keita of the group EVNNE, drew attention for explosive skill that contrasts with a cute appearance.
▶ Rapid growth, overwhelmingly rising contenders - Lee Joo-eun, Nana, Ryu Ha-jin, Sasa, Siho
Interest in the 'Hip-pop growth stocks' who showed meaningful growth in every mission is also notable. The holders of that title are Lee Joo-eun, Nana, Ryu Ha-jin, Sasa, and Siho, and the producers have praised them without reservation, saying "all the contestants have grown noticeably." Canada-born ▲Lee Joo-eun is a hard worker who has shown clear growth through repeated missions and has been increasing her stage presence. Producer Gaeko even said he would invest if there were a stock named Nana, acknowledging ▲Nana's clear growth and potential. ▲Ryu Ha-jin has steadily grown with solid skills despite a gentle appearance, and ▲Sasa, who announced her first appearance with the keyword 'J-boss baby,' has expanded her presence on stage by showing a contrast in charisma unlike her baby face. With a husky voice that is attractive, ▲Siho proved a distinct growth narrative and was named as the lead of the new song 'WNGT,' which features special producer VERBAL (m-flo).
▶ Characters with overwhelming presence - Choi Ga-yun, Hina, Mirika, Yoon Chae-eun
The performances of contestants with strong characters also draw attention. Choi Ga-yun, Hina, Mirika and Yoon Chae-eun have each shown a clear presence on 'Hip-pop Princess' with their unique personalities and stage command. ▲Choi Ga-yun delivered an intense performance in the 1 vs. 1 original battle that prompted reviews like "it felt like two tigers fighting," and in the true battle she transformed into a princess concept that captured attention. ▲Hina has been noted for a unique voice and a hip yet kitschy charm, while vocalist ▲Mirika stood out with solid skills and a supportive role in leading the team steadily amid fierce survival competition. 'Bob goddess' ▲Yoon Chae-eun left a strong impression on stage with a contrasting voice that changes completely between speaking and rapping and a distinct character.
▶ Absolute powerhouses in dance and performance - Han Hee-yeon, Mia, Min Ji-ho
The narratives of dance and performance powerhouses also provide a spectacular show and heighten stage immersion. ▲Han Hee-yeon, who drew attention with labels such as 'S-university graduate' and 'collector of prestigious universities,' continues to shine in every mission with sharp stage directing skills; ▲Mia proved a powerful presence in dance-centered missions with explosive energy and overwhelming performance that even impressed producer Riehata. ▲Min Ji-ho solidified her status as a performance powerhouse with versatile skills in singing, dancing and rapping.
Meanwhile, the show's first track and title song, Do my thang (Princess Ver.), climbed to the top ranks of local Japanese music charts such as Shazam's Discovery Japan chart and the USEN HIT weekly J-POP comprehensive ranking, proving its popularity. With each episode sparking warmer reactions and adding to the final heat toward the birth of a global hip-hop group, 'Hip-pop Princess' airs every Thursday at 9:50 p.m. KST on Mnet and is available in Japan through U-NEXT.
[Photo] Provided by Mnet
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