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| Judges and the host of "High School Rapper" pose at a press conference for the show's third season held at CJ ENM Center in western Seoul, Friday. From left are rappers Giriboy, Kid Milli, The Quiett, CODE KUNST, Nucksal, Boi B, Hangzoo, and producer duo Groovyroom. Courtesy of Mnet |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
"High School Rapper," Mnet's hip-hop audition program that showcases talented teenage rappers, has returned for a third season.
High school students, dropouts and third-year middle school students who will be entering high school this year applied for season 3, with the aim to appear on the show and sign with Korea's top hip-hop labels, according to Mnet.
Contestants from the previous season of "High School Rapper," including HAON, Webster B and Ash Island, have signed with major hip-hop labels.
The judges for season 3 are The Quiett, CODE KUNST, Hangzoo, Boi B, producer duo Groovyroom, Giriboy and Kid Milli. These eight rappers and producers will be serving as contestants' mentors. Rapper Nucksal, who hosted the second season, reprises his role this season.
"The program is about rap battles, but instead of emphasizing the competitive aspects, it underlines our efforts to offer talented high school students a chance to tell their own stories and show their unique characters," producer Jun Ji-hyun said during a press conference at CJ ENM Center, Friday.
"I was amazed by a lot of young participants. I could sense that they want to stand out from the crowd, be regarded as different and special."
On the show being called the high school version of "Show Me the Money," Mnet's original hip-hop audition program, Rapper Hangzoo said: "In High School Rapper, contestants root for each other, whereas in Show Me the Money, participants want others to fail."
The earlier seasons of the show were wildly popular, but were not without their own controversies. The most talked about case involved Chang Yong-jun ― son of lawmaker Chang Je-won ― who pulled out of the first season after being accused of attempting to buy sex. First season winner Yang Hong-won was accused of violence against his classmates, which he partly admitted.
To avoid such controversies, the production team often had face-to-face talks with participants and monitored public comments on social media. "We've done some research and screening of their past to find out what they have been up to," Mnet director Kim Yong-beom said. "We'll do our best to prevent lies or rumors from spreading."
When asked if the viewers can expect the next HAON, the winner of the last season who is now ruling over music charts, producer Jun said: "No one can be the next HAON because each contestant has a different music style. But I guarantee there are contestants who may have a similar impact on the hip-hop scene as HAON."
The first episode airs on Friday at 11 p.m.
