On January 15, Mnet held a press conference ahead of the premiere of its hip hop survival program “Show Me The Money 12.” Producers Zico, Crush, Jay Park, Lil Moshpit, Loco, GRAY, Hukky Shibaseki, J-Tong, and chief producer Choi Hyo Jin attended to discuss the new season and their perspectives on the current hip hop scene.
First launched in 2012, “Show Me The Money” has established itself as one of Korea’s most influential hip hop programs. Season 12 marks the show’s return after a three-year hiatus following Season 11 in 2022. According to the production team, the new season received approximately 36,000 applications, not only from Korea but also from international contestants, highlighting the program’s expanding global reach.
Jay Park shared that hearing rap performed in various languages felt both fresh and exciting. Participating in the show for the fourth time, he noted that even after years in the music industry, the diversity of languages brought a new kind of enjoyment. CP Choi Hyo Jin added that one of the key points to watch this season is how artists express their individuality through attitude, energy, and stage presence, even when language barriers exist.
Zico spoke about the evolving nature of hip hop, describing it as a genre highly sensitive to trends, sometimes changing every three to four months. While acknowledging these shifts, he emphasized that preserving the core essence of hip hop remains crucial.
Jay Park also addressed the Korean public’s perception of hip hop, observing that fewer people seem to actively listen to the genre compared to before. He attributed this partly to the rising quality of K-pop and the gradual breakdown of genre boundaries, as well as lingering stereotypes such as “acting tough” or excessive “flexing.” He shared that one of his personal goals through the program is to help audiences better understand what hip hop truly represents.
Crush expressed his hope that “Show Me The Money” can help Korean hip hop break beyond the television screen and resonate more deeply with the public. As someone who genuinely loves the culture, he said he wishes viewers who care about hip hop can engage with the show more sincerely and enjoy meaningful interaction through music.
“Show Me The Money 12” premiered on January 15 at 9:20 p.m. KST.
