Mnet is facing criticism after announcing plans for a new dating reality show featuring rappers from its hit survival program Show Me The Money.
On June 24, the broadcaster revealed that it is preparing a dating program centered around male rappers who appeared on Show Me The Money. At the same time, Mnet opened applications for female participants interested in joining the show.
According to the recruitment notice, applicants must be women aged 19 or older. The production team stated that selected candidates will be contacted individually after the screening process.
Show Me The Money is one of South Korea’s most popular hip-hop survival programs. Its 12th season, which aired this year, attracted more than 36,000 applicants, setting a new record for the highest number of contestants in the show’s history.
However, the dating show announcement quickly sparked negative reactions among Korean netizens, many of whom questioned whether rappers from the franchise were suitable candidates for a romance-focused reality program.
Some viewers criticized the concept itself, arguing that the show seemed designed to attract attention rather than deliver meaningful entertainment.
Others pointed to the controversial lyrics and public images associated with certain rappers, expressing concerns about featuring them in a dating format. Some questioned whether contestants’ past behavior and lyrics would become a source of controversy once the show begins airing.
Several netizens predicted that the program could be filled with scandals and public call-outs between participants rather than genuine romance, saying the premise already feels uncomfortable.
One commenter recalled a past story about someone who dated a rapper for only three days but allegedly became the subject of his lyrics for years afterward.
Others joked that the show would simply become a gathering of arrogant male rappers and aspiring influencers looking to gain social media attention.
Some viewers also questioned the necessity of the program, arguing that rappers often portray themselves as already being popular with women, making the premise feel contradictory.
Interestingly, several netizens admitted they were more curious about which rappers would join the cast than about the female participants themselves.
Many ultimately predicted that the show would attract women hoping to build influencer careers, rather than contestants genuinely interested in finding love.
Selected K-Netizen Reactions:
- “This is basically a gathering of people who love attention more than anyone else.”
- “Aren’t many rappers known for writing misogynistic lyrics? Is it really a good idea to dig up all those past controversies? If they date someone, won’t that relationship end up in a rap verse later?”
- “I can already imagine scandals and exposés between cast members. It doesn’t sound funny at all just exhausting.”
- “This reminds me of the story where someone dated a rapper for three days and ended up in his lyrics for three years.”
- “A combination of arrogant rappers and women who want to become influencers.”
- “What exactly is this? Aren’t rappers always bragging about how popular they are with women already?”
- “I’m honestly more curious about which rappers will participate than the female contestants.”
- “At its core, it feels like a show that will gather aspiring influencers.”
Sources: theqoo, Nate