'Show Me the Money 12' has selected the much-anticipated top 5 who will advance to the final.
On Thursday the 26th, episode 11 of Mnet's 'Show Me the Money 12' aired, featuring the semifinal, the final hurdle toward the final. That broadcast proved its exceptional impact as its real-time viewing share rose to 83.2% among all live channels on TVING at the same time. In addition, the broadcast ranked No. 1 in same-time viewership among teens of both genders (including terrestrial broadcasters) (AGB Nielsen, paid households in the Seoul area), heightening expectations for the final amid fierce enthusiasm.
The semifinal was composed of solo stages by the nine surviving rappers, and the final top 5 was decided by combining first and second-round votes. The rankings, which changed in real time, kept viewers on edge. Especially with the largest audience of the season, an unimaginable lineup of star features and record-setting stages followed, heating up not only the venue but also living rooms nationwide.
Powerful stages poured out from the start. ▲ Mason Home led the audience sing-along with 'Steal' featuring a barber clip performance and features from Noh Yoon-ha and Coogie; ▲ Now I Am Young overwhelmed the atmosphere with 'Animal,' a boom-bap rap without autotune that included drummer Hurki's transformation and the appearance of E Sens. Jene the Zilla, who recreated the Illionaire vibe and stirred nostalgia among hip-hop fans in the '2 Chainz & Rollies 2026' stage with The Quiett; ▲ Mili presented 'NEVER' with a jazz sound that stood out alongside Lil Boi and Wonstein; and ▲ Jeong Jun-hyeok ignited energy with the 'KOO KOO' stage featuring KISS OF LIFE's Natti, drawing enthusiastic cheers.
▲ Traeby, who presented 'BAOW' sampling Block B's 'Nillili Mambo,' delivered ecstatic energy with a brass corps and the support of Park Jaebeom's appearance. ▲ Kim Ha-on gave a goosebump-inducing thrill with rapid-fire rapping performed without any features on the 'ON to the next' stage, ending with Zico, Crush and the audience. ▲ Kwon Oh-seon completed the 'W.I.N.' stage with a ballerina and string instrument collaboration and a feature from BewhY, and ▲ Rapsandhu's 'PAJAMA' stage, intensified by a surprise appearance from WOODS, delivered an irresistible dopamine rush.
The announcement of the finalists for the coveted final saw a string of reversals as first- and second-round rankings kept changing. The final top 5—Kim Ha-on, Traeby, Now I Am Young, Mason Home and Mili—earned tickets to the final. Eliminated were Kwon Oh-seon, Rapsandhu, Jeong Jun-hyeok and Jene the Zilla.
Starting with a record applicant pool of about 36,000 people, 'Show Me the Money 12' now has only the final stage left with five finalists. Global pre-voting is underway through Mnet Plus until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, and expectations are building over who will claim the crown as the new icon of the hip-hop scene on the final stage. The songs released in the semifinal will be available on various music sites starting today (Friday) at noon.
Meanwhile, TVING will present 'Show Me the Money 12: Final TOP5 Special' at 12 p.m. on Saturday the 28th, featuring the top 5 rappers who advanced to the final. The 'Show Me the Money 12: Final TOP5 Special,' exclusively released on TVING, will feature the 'Show Me the Money 12' finalists sharing their reactions to advancing to the final and offering behind-the-scenes talk that couldn't be covered on the broadcast.
The final episode of 'Show Me the Money 12' can be seen on Thursday, April 2, at 9:20 p.m. on Mnet and TVING.
[Photo] Mnet, TVING
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