'Show Me the Money 12' Captivates Viewers with 'Hell's Song Camp' Mission

'Show Me the Money 12' has captivated viewers with the launch of the 'Hell's Song Camp' mission. Since its premiere on the 15th of last month, the show has consistently recorded ratings in the 0% range.

On the episode aired on Thursday, the 5th, Mnet's 'Show Me the Money 12' entered the new mission 'Hell's Song Camp' with 73 survivors. The broadcast achieved the highest viewership ratings among the 10s and 20s age group, including both male and female viewers, across all channels during the same time slot (AGB Nielsen, Seoul metropolitan area paid viewership). It also topped the Good Data Corporation's FUNdex TV-OTT integrated non-drama buzz category, indicating its growing popularity.

The newly introduced 'Hell's Song Camp' this season is a mission spanning three rounds, where participants must survive each round to advance. The first round featured a 1:1 rank battle, where high-level rappers (ranked 1st to 36th) challenged low-level rappers (ranked 37th to 73rd) in one-on-one rap battles.

Only the winners could advance to the next round, with rappers like Flicky Bang, Zene the Zilla, Chio Chicano, Modo, Kwon Oh-sun, Jung Jun-hyuk, and No Sun making it to the list of qualifiers. High-level rapper Kim Ha-on, who topped the rapper's own vote, along with Tray B, and Millie, also advanced to the next round without any surprises, impressing the producers. Meanwhile, low-level rappers Royal 44, Flowsik, Inoa, and Lee Woo-joo managed to create upsets by defeating high-level opponents.

Unexpected twists occurred as well. High-level rappers Steel J Cock and Blasta (Jung Sang-soo) were eliminated. Newcomers Now I'm Young and Millie Max also faced unfortunate eliminations, along with idol-turned-rappers TNX Eun-hwi and Young Pasi Jung Sun-hye. Red Eye, Ilhwak Cheon Geum Boy, Scarf, 200, Alice Yoo, and WOL were also added to the list of those eliminated.

The episode also featured electrifying performances that left producers in awe. The battle between Raf Sandu and DKAY, which drew attention as a meeting of 'all-pass' contestants, was praised by producer Zico as "the best battle so far," with both Raf Sandu and DKAY surviving. Each producer team was given a 'Producer Pass' to save one eliminated contestant, and the Lil Moshpit-Park Jae-bum team used this privilege to save DKAY. Additionally, Young Shuler, Jeffrey White, and Young Blessy managed to survive dramatically through the producer passes.

The episode concluded with a preview of the next round, the '4:4 Team Mission,' heightening anticipation for 'Hell's Song Camp.' Meanwhile, in the parallel universe of TVING's 'World of Yacha,' the appearance of 'Hell's Song Camp' eliminated contestant Now I'm Young was teased, drawing attention. The question of who will make a dramatic comeback on 'Show Me the Money 12' continues to intrigue viewers.

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr