"Show Me the Money 12" opened with a spectacular showcase of raw rap amid an unprecedented scale.
On the first episode aired on the 15th (Thu), the first preliminary a cappella rap auditions were held to crown a new icon of the hip-hop scene. This season, which expanded its scale to include regional preliminaries in Seoul·Gwangju·Busan·Jeju as well as a global preliminary, proved its legendary class as a record-high total of about 36,000 applicants poured in.
The episode proved the intense interest from teenage viewers by ranking first in its time slot across terrestrial and cable channels among males in their teens through 20s (AGB Nielsen, paid households in the Seoul metropolitan area). The highest rating by demographic was women in their 40s at 3.0%, followed by males in their teens (2.7%) and males in their 20s (2.5%), showing notable viewing performance among male viewers as well.
The first preliminary was conducted as one-on-one a cappella rap auditions in front of the producers. Amid an unprecedented three-way clash between named veterans, rookies and global rappers, the standout aspect was the performances by rookie rappers. Producers all agreed that "the game itself has certainly changed." Royal 44, who captivated Jaytong with bewitching rap and gazes, and NOW I AM YOUNG, Young Blessy, Young Herry, Scarf and others, who earned the producers' high praise for fresh and original flows, all received passing necklaces. In addition, the rise of female rappers who are hyped in the hip-hop scene, such as 200, Lucy Gang, and Chiochicano, was also notable.
With some 12,000 applicants in their teens alone, the lowered age range was also noted as one axis of change this season. Teenage "Little Tiger" Millimax easily passed the first preliminary amid Crush's high praise that "it feels like looking at myself from 10 years ago," and high school student Lee Woo-ju, who received a shoutout from E Sens, also made the list of qualifiers. Idol rapper and leader Jeong Sun-hye of Young Pa-ssi, called the "daughter of Korean hip-hop," drew attention by receiving a passing necklace from Zico after as many as three attempts.
The performances of named rappers could not be overlooked either.
Kundi Panda, a semi-finalist on "Show Me the Money 9" and the performer of the legendary "Root" stage, passed the first preliminary with the poise of a veteran, while Flicky Bang, who led the "Gang Gang Gang" meme, and his close friend Tracy, Twelve, who received Park Jae-beom's rave praise for the exquisite blend of rap and melody, and active rappers such as Gene the Zilla, Kwon Oh-sun, Kim Ki-tae and Raf Sandu also passed in succession. The appearance of Kim Ha-on, winner of "High School Rapper 2," also drew attention. Amid thunderous applause at the scene, producer Crush handed him a passing necklace, saying, "Kim Ha-on was Kim Ha-on. He's just a natural talent."
Amid the hottest-ever turnout of about 36,000 applicants, diverse characters with gemlike personalities completed the appeal of "Show Me the Money" as a comprehensive gift set returning after a long time. The hip-hop grandmother crew, who showed that passion has no age limit, and the colorful figures who led the producers' 'try not to laugh' challenge also made the premiere more varied. The meeting between Kwon Yi-rang, a member of the show's first-ever virtual idol SKINZ, and Zico is also drawing attention immediately after the broadcast.
The judging result of Thai hip-hop star Milli, who overwhelmed viewers from her first appearance, was not revealed until the end, leaving viewers curious. At the end of the broadcast, a full-scale global preliminary featuring legendary Hong Kong hip-hop JB and Japan's rising star Red Eye was previewed, and the grueling second preliminary, the hallmark of "Show Me the Money," was announced, raising expectations.
Meanwhile, the Tving original "Yaksha: Ruthless Operations," which will be exclusively released on Tving at 12 p.m. on the 17th (Sat), is a hip-hop survival set in a parallel world structure with different rules from "Show Me the Money 12," and the episode preview revealed a final hidden rule that foreshadows extreme competition. It was revealed that only three survivors who survive "Yaksha: Ruthless Operations" can return to "Show Me the Money 12." Expectations are high for the hidden league "Show Me the Money 12: Yaksha: Ruthless Operations," which will be released exclusively on Tving every Saturday, two days after the main broadcast.
Every Thursday at 9:20 p.m., broadcast on Mnet and Tving.
[Photo] "Show Me the Money 12"
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