Show Me The Money 12 Returns With Record Auditions

On a chilly morning in Seoul’s Gangnam district, the buzz around Neon Hall was palpable. It was January 15, 2026, and anticipation hung thick in the air as media, fans, and industry insiders gathered for the long-awaited press conference of Mnet’s ‘Show Me The Money 12’—the return of South Korea’s most influential hip-hop competition show. After a four-year hiatus, the series, which first aired in 2012 and has since become a launchpad for countless rap stars, was back and promising to shake up the country’s music scene once again.

The event drew an impressive roster of producers and artists, including the ever-charismatic Zico, Park Jae-beom (Jay Park), Crush, GRAY, Loco, Lil Moshpit, and newcomers JayTong and Herkey Shibaseki. Cameras flashed as Zico, a staple of the Korean hip-hop world, struck a pose for photographers and later addressed the crowd. According to News1, Zico’s presence alone signaled the gravity of the occasion—he was, after all, both a former contestant and now a producer, embodying the journey many aspiring rappers dream of.

But the press conference wasn’t just about star power. The show’s producers and artists took turns reflecting on what makes ‘Show Me The Money’ so vital to Korean hip-hop, and why its return matters now, perhaps more than ever. Park Jae-beom, who has watched the genre’s evolution firsthand, offered candid insights into the challenges hip-hop faces in Korea today. As reported by Jeonmae Ilbo, he explained, “As K-pop music has become more sophisticated, the boundaries between mainstream pop and hip-hop have blurred. The lowered barrier to entry has led to misunderstandings, with some seeing hip-hop as just about bravado or showing off.” He added, “It’s important to restore authenticity beyond these preconceptions.”

Crush, another of the show’s high-profile producers, underscored the program’s unique role in popularizing hip-hop. “Show Me The Money is an important bridge that introduced Korean hip-hop to the public,” he said, as quoted by Jeonmae Ilbo. “As someone who loves hip-hop, I’ve prepared for this season with all my heart.”

‘Show Me The Money 12’ isn’t just about nostalgia or reclaiming lost glory, though. This season has already broken records, with an astounding 36,000 applicants from across the country—a testament to the show’s enduring appeal and the hunger for recognition among Korea’s underground rappers. For the first time, regional preliminaries expanded beyond Seoul to cities like Busan, Jeju, and Gwangju, opening the doors to a broader range of talent. The global auditions added another layer of excitement, welcoming performances in 24 languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, Russian, and Hindi. Park Jae-beom remarked, “It was refreshing to see raps that reflected each country’s culture and language.”

According to iMBC and TenAsia, the show’s format has also evolved. Executive producer Choi Hyo-jin explained, “Even though the language is different, attitude and expressiveness are conveyed well, which adds a new layer of fun. We’re introducing new formats, like the ‘Song Camp,’ to help contestants showcase their production skills.” This season’s innovations are designed to push contestants beyond their comfort zones, encouraging them to experiment with genres and styles they might never have considered before.

Zico, who teams up with Crush this season, emphasized the duo’s versatility as a major asset. “Our team’s strength is that we both cross many genres as artists,” he said at the press conference, as reported by TenAsia. “We’ll encourage contestants not just to do what they’re already good at, but to try new things and show their full potential.” He added, “What’s most important is that ‘Show Me The Money’ delivers to both the public and the fans. We want to create results that satisfy both sides.”

Yet, as with any competition, the journey is fraught with heartbreak. Zico admitted, “All the contestants who left a strong impression on me have been eliminated.” He was quick to note, however, that naming any new favorites could be seen as a spoiler, so he held back. His honesty only deepened curiosity about what surprises this season might hold.

For those unfamiliar with its legacy, ‘Show Me The Money’ has been a cultural force since its inception. Over the years, it’s helped turn hip-hop from a niche interest into a mainstream phenomenon in Korea, producing not just hit songs but bona fide superstars. The show’s influence is such that, as iMBC points out, it’s credited with elevating the entire genre into the public consciousness. Its previous seasons have been marked by fierce competition, memorable performances, and the kind of drama that keeps viewers glued to their screens.

The stakes for season 12 are higher than ever. After the crowning of Lee Young-ji as the winner in 2022, the show took a break, leaving fans to wonder if it would ever return. Now, with its relaunch, the producers are determined to prove that hip-hop’s best days are not behind it. The addition of new faces like JayTong and Herkey Shibaseki to the producer lineup signals a commitment to fresh perspectives and boundary-pushing creativity.

There’s also a digital twist this year: the collaboration with streaming platform TVING brings not only the main show but also a spin-off called ‘Yacha’s World,’ offering fans more content and behind-the-scenes glimpses than ever before. It’s a savvy move, recognizing that today’s audiences want more than just what airs on television—they crave deeper connections with the artists and the creative process.

As the clock ticks toward the premiere—set for January 15, 2026, at 9:20 PM on Mnet and TVING—expectations are sky-high. The press conference made it clear that the producers and artists are not resting on the laurels of past success. They’re keenly aware of the skepticism and the shifting musical landscape, but they’re betting that authenticity, innovation, and a deep respect for hip-hop’s roots will win the day.

In the end, ‘Show Me The Money 12’ isn’t just a TV show. It’s a cultural event—a mirror held up to Korean society’s evolving tastes, values, and ambitions. Whether it will spark a new wave of hip-hop fever or simply remind viewers of the genre’s enduring power, one thing’s for sure: the stage is set, the beats are ready, and the world is watching.