The long-running rap competition Show Me the Money 12 is heading toward its grand finale after a fierce semifinal round. The Mnet program, which returned after a three-year break, has now confirmed the five finalists who will compete for the championship title. With record-breaking viewership and massive online engagement, this season continues to dominate the hip-hop scene.
The March 26 episode of Show Me the Money 12 featured nine contestants battling for the final five spots. The semifinal introduced a new format where individual rankings determined the outcome instead of traditional team-based results. This change created intense competition and unpredictable results throughout the broadcast.
Semifinal Delivers Record Viewership and Star-Studded Performances
The semifinal episode achieved a real-time viewership share of 83.2% on TVING during its broadcast, marking one of the highest ratings for the season. The program also ranked first in viewership among teenagers across both genders during the same time slot according to AGB Nielsen data.
The semifinal featured an impressive lineup of guest artists. Performers included BewhY, Coogie, E Sens, Lil Boi, Nathy from KISS OF LIFE, No Yoon-ha, The Quiett, Woos, and Wonstein. The production scale expanded beyond typical hip-hop stages, incorporating string instruments, brass ensembles, and even ballet collaborations.
Final Top 5 Contestants Secured Their Spots
After the individual performances and voting rounds, five rappers advanced to the final:
- Kim Ha-on (Team Zico & Crush)
- Tray B (Team Jay Park & Lil Moshpit)
- Nowimyoung (Team J-Tong & Hukky Shibaseki)
- Mason Home (Team Gray & Loco)
- MILLI (Team Gray & Loco)
The eliminated contestants included Kwon Oh-sun, Raf Sandou, Jung Jun-hyuk, and Zene the Zilla.
The final five represent three of the four producer teams. Team Zico & Crush and Team Gray & Loco each have two finalists, while Team Jay Park & Lil Moshpit has one. Team J-Tong & Hukky Shibaseki saw their only remaining contestant, Nowimyoung, secure a spot in the finals.
Global Pre-Voting Opens for Fans
Global pre-voting for the winner of Show Me the Money 12 is currently open on Mnet Plus. Fans can cast their votes until 11:59 p.m. on April 1. The voting results will contribute to determining the final champion.
Special Episode and Finale Details
A special program titled SMTM12: Final TOP5 Special will release on March 28 at 12 p.m. on TVING. The special will feature the five finalists sharing behind-the-scenes stories and their thoughts on advancing to the championship round.
The grand finale of Show Me the Money 12 will air on April 2 at 9:20 p.m. KST on Mnet and TVING.
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Show Me the Money 12 Dominates Music Charts
The competition songs from Show Me the Money 12 have performed strongly on music platforms. The track KISS KISS KISS by Nowimyoung and Royal 44 featuring Sunwoo of THE BOYZ reached No. 1 on Apple Music’s Today’s Top 100: Korea chart. Team Zico & Crush’s TICK TOCK featuring ZICO has maintained a high position on the Melon TOP100 chart since its release.
On Genie Music’s teen chart, Show Me the Money 12 competition songs occupied four spots in the TOP10 and 12 spots in the TOP100, demonstrating strong appeal among younger listeners.
The program’s official social media content across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram has surpassed 1 billion cumulative views.
Season Overview and Format Changes
Show Me the Money 12 premiered on January 15, 2026, after a three-year hiatus. The season expanded to 12 episodes instead of the usual 10, featuring new missions and a broader contestant pool. Regional auditions took place in 32 locations, including international cities, drawing approximately 36,000 applicants—the largest in the show’s history.
Four producer teams guided the contestants throughout the competition:
- Zico & Crush (Team Zic)
- Gray & Loco (Team Coray)
- J-Tong & Hukky Shibaseki (Team Tongki)
- Jay Park & Lil Moshpit (Team Mobum)
Songs from the semifinal will be available on music platforms starting March 27 at 12 p.m. .
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