'Show Me the Money 12' has announced a comeback on an unprecedented scale.
The main trailer for Mnet's 'Show Me the Money 12,' released on the afternoon of the 19th (Fri), opened with the signature fiery pit set. Along with a set that conveys a sense of scale, it announced the return of an upgraded new season of "Show Me the Money."
This season held regional first-round auditions on the largest scale ever, recruiting participants from across the country, from Seoul to Gwangju, Busan and Jeju, and greatly expanded opportunities by opening global auditions that drew applicants of various nationalities. The teaser video also captured familiar faces such as Japanese dancer Minami, who made an impression through Mnet's World of Street Woman Fighter, and Heo Jung-sing, a notable contestant from Boys Planet 2. The appearance of named global rappers was also widely previewed, including Thai rapper Milli, the first solo Thai artist to perform at Coachella in the U.S., and rapper RedEye, who completed a solo show at Budokan, called the "holy ground" of performances in Japan.
With expectations for a feast of diverse contestants regardless of nationality, language or age, anticipation is growing for the performances of the "new face" participants. The teaser video immediately draws attention with the assessment, "This season, the rookies stand out more." Park Jae-beom, participating as a producer, said of the contestants, "They rap better than me," raising curiosity about who that standout might be. Added to this are producers' remarks such as, "Being good at rap isn't everything. You have to be different," and, "I want to hear something new," which suggest expectations not just for skill verification but for discovering new faces and styles that will shake the hip-hop scene.
The introduction of a previously unseen system was also hinted at. Contestants expressed surprise, saying, "Show Me would even do something like this?" and comments such as "lose and it's hell, win and it's heaven" have heightened tensions, raising expectations for fiercer competition and diverse narratives.
Meanwhile, 'Show Me the Money 12' has signaled a completely changed new game by becoming the first in the series to be co-produced with domestic leading OTT platform TVING. Continuing new attempts, the MC will be Kim Jin-pyo, who has been in charge of hosting since 'Show Me the Money 3,' and is expected to lead stable proceedings. With the main trailer released and the comeback warming up in earnest, 'Show Me the Money 12' will premiere on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 9:20 p.m.
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