During the semi-final episode of Show Me the Money 12 aired on March 26, BewhY appeared as a featuring artist supporting contestant Osun on the track “W.I.N.” Known for his distinctive rap style and philosophical lyrics, the rapper unexpectedly ignited debate with a particular line.
The controversial lyric, “If you dig it all up, you’ll be surprised, that level is just above ‘seonguan’ (seonguan wi),” was initially interpreted as a reference to the baseball term “seonguan” (meaning a batter’s eye for pitches), implying confidence in his musical ability. However, the pronunciation closely resembled “Seongwanwi,” the abbreviation for South Korea’s National Election Commission, which triggered speculation.
The situation escalated further as earlier lines in the verse “I kicked it away for praising equality over freedom, my ex” were seen by some as alluding to broader social or political discourse. This led certain viewers to question whether the lyrics subtly referenced political issues or even allegations related to election fraud.
Reactions have been sharply divided. Some fans defended the lyrics as a typical example of hip-hop’s use of double entendre, while others criticized the performance as inappropriate for a survival competition stage. Critics argued that in a crucial round where contestants like Osun, Kim Haon, Nowimyoung, and Mason Home were competing for a spot in the finals, it was questionable for a featuring artist’s personal message to overshadow the main performers.
Meanwhile, after an intense battle, Kim Haon secured first place and advanced directly to the finals. Tray B, Nowimyoung, Mason Home, and Milli also made it into the final lineup.
As of now, the production team has not issued any official statement regarding the controversy.
Sources: Nate