The Hip Pop Princess has finally made her debut. On October 16 at 9:50 PM (KST), Mnet premiered Unpretty Rapstar: Hip Pop Princess (hereafter Hip Pop Princess), a groundbreaking Korea-Japan collaboration aimed at creating a new global hip-hop group. Participants immersed themselves in every facet of the creative process—from music and choreography to styling and video production—showcasing their unique talents. The journey proved to be both competitive and collaborative, allowing the artists to craft their own narratives of growth. As the show kicked off, several key elements immediately stood out to viewers.
Hip Pop Princess is a highly anticipated spin-off that carries forward the ethos of Unpretty Rapstar, which emphasized talent over appearance. The new show set out to form a hip-hop group that bridges the generational voices of both Korea and Japan. While Unpretty Rapstar paved the way for discovering talented female hip-hop artists, Hip Pop Princess focuses on forming a collaborative group that embodies the spirit of both nations. Fans were eager to see how the group’s journey would unfold through intense skill-based competitions, continuing the legacy of its predecessor.
The talent pool was nothing short of impressive. Each performance featured skilled participants capable of delivering live vocals with handheld microphones, resulting in an electrifying stage presence. Teasers for the first episode showcased participants delivering knockout performances, with producers exclaiming that the level is incredibly high and they sense that they’re about to witness the birth of a truly unprecedented group. This buildup of excitement kept viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these dynamic performances and raw talents would unfold in the main broadcast.
Another compelling aspect of Hip Pop Princess was the cultural fusion between Korean and Japanese participants. The 40 contestants from both countries engaged in fierce competition, creating an atmosphere as intense as an international showdown. The premiere episode opened with a self-introduction cypher and a heated battle for microphone supremacy. The intriguing “Hip Pop Challenge” mission, which pitted Korean and Japanese participants against each other in head-to-head matchups, proved to be a thrilling spectacle. One key point of interest was watching how these contestants, each with their distinct cultural identities, clashed and ultimately blended, harmoniously showcasing their similar yet unique charms.
The overarching narrative of teamwork and personal growth in pursuit of a common goal emerged as a defining feature of Hip Pop Princess, bringing fresh excitement and emotional depth to the show. The 40 participants, each with unique backgrounds in hip-hop, K-pop, and J-pop, delivered a genuine cultural exchange that transcended national boundaries. Hip Pop Princess, poised to launch a new hip-hop sensation, premiered on October 16 at 9:50 PM (KST) on Mnet and is available in Japan through U-NEXT.
