Mnet’s long-running hip-hop survival show Show me the money 12 made an unstable and deeply troubling return, debuting at the almost total indifference of the public.
The first episode of Show me the money 12 aired on January 15, marking the franchise’s return after a three-year hiatus. With expanded global auditions and as many as 36,000 applicants, expectations were high that the show would reignite interest in the Korean hip-hop scene.
The lineup included several well-known names in the industry, from active rappers to controversial figures. Among them were Microdot previously removed from the entertainment industry due to his parents’ debt fraud scandal along with Khundi Panda, Fleeky Bang, Tray B, High school rapper 2 the winner Kim Haon, Oh Sun, Ki Tae and Raf Sandou.
Despite the star power, the premiere told a different story. According to Nielsen Korea (Seoul metropolitan area), Show me the money 12 it averaged and peaked in ratings of just 0.6%, placing it immediately in the 0% range. a humbling result for a flagship audition program.
Even a heavyweight producer lineup featuring Zico, Gray, Crush, Loco and Jay Park failed to generate traction.
Compared to previous seasons the decline is clear. Season 11 debuted at 1.2%, Season 10 at 1.3%, Season 9 at 1.1%, and Season 6 peaked at 2.2%. In this context, Season 12The opening numbers of are widely described as nothing less than a disaster.
The implications are especially serious given the nature of audition programs, which traditionally see the highest scores at launch before gradually declining. An opening of 0.6% suggests this. public anticipation for the series has almost evaporated.
Industry watchers note that Season 11 itself saw ratings drop from 1.2% down to 0.6%, finally finishing at 0.8%. With Season 12 starting from the same low point, analysts believe the show’s core fan base may have collapsed as well casting doubt on any possibility of a rebound.
Several factors are cited as reasons for the franchise’s downfall. These include viewer fatigue with repetitive formats, lingering disappointment with Season 11, and changing viewing habits. Iconic elements such as “fire pit assessment” and aggressive editing styles are no longer seen as novel or engaging.
Additionally, hip-hop’s core audience, primarily teenagers and viewers in their 20s, has largely migrated away from live television, opting instead for YouTube clips and short-form content.
There is also a growing sense that hip-hop itself has lost cultural appeal. Repeated scandals involving rappers from military service evasion to drug crimes have eroded the genre “beautiful” image.. Once associated with authenticity and narratives of struggle, hip-hop is now often mocked online with slang terms “hip-jjil-i”, reflecting public cynicism.
In response to the criticism, Mnet released a statement on January 16 noting that the show ranked first among teenage viewers and men in their 20s during its timeslot, including terrestrial broadcasters (AGB Nielsen, paid metro area households). However, many critics support it such claims do little to offset the humiliation of a 0.6% premier rating..
AS Show me the money 12 moves forward, questions loom larger than ever not only about the future of the franchise, but also about whether hip-hop survival TV shows still have a place in the rapidly evolving Korean entertainment landscape.
Sources: Daum
