Jeon So-yeon Returns to 'Hip Hop Princess' as MC and Main Producer

Jeon So-yeon, a member of the group (G)I-DLE, has revealed her aspirations as she joins Mnet's new joint Korean-Japanese project, 'Hip Hop Princess', as the solo MC and main producer.

Having left a strong impression as a contestant on 'Unpretty Rapstar' nine years ago, So-yeon will now take on the dual roles of MC and producer for this project. She expressed, "It's an honor and a source of pride to be joining as an MC and producer, having been a participant myself." She added that 'Unpretty Rapstar' served as the catalyst for her debut with self-produced music and her work as a producing idol, and she wishes to support and encourage more idols in showcasing their musical talents.

So-yeon is set to lead the overall flow of the program as the MC, while also working as the main producer to uncover the hidden potential of the contestants. Regarding the judging criteria, she emphasized, "This time again, it's all about skill." Drawing from her own experience of wanting to be judged solely on her abilities, So-yeon stated that 'Hip Hop Princess' will prioritize talent above all else.

She also spoke about collaborating with top producers from both Korea and Japan, including Gaeko, RIEHATA, and Takanori Iwata. So-yeon anticipates that she and RIEHATA will focus on stage composition and performance aspects, while Gaeko and Takanori Iwata will delve into the finer details of rap and other skills. She expressed confidence that this division of roles among the Korean and Japanese producers will lead to well-balanced evaluations and unique chemistry.

'Hip Hop Princess' is a project aimed at creating a new global hip-hop girl group. Contestants will actively participate in all stages, including music, choreography, styling, and video production, to showcase their individual colors. Through the fusion of Korean and Japanese cultures via hip-hop, the participants are expected to create new works and grow into artists with unique identities.

So-yeon shared her amazement at the recording sessions, observing the young contestants working diligently to create something from scratch. She highlighted, "The most exciting aspect is seeing contestants who are creators themselves, not just performers," and asked viewers to watch the process of the participants discovering and developing their own unique identities.

'Hip Hop Princess' will premiere on October 16th on Mnet and will be simulcast in Japan via U-NEXT.

Jeon So-yeon, the leader and main rapper of (G)I-DLE, has been instrumental in the group's success with her exceptional songwriting, composing, and producing skills. She honed her abilities through various audition programs before her debut and showcased her distinct rapping talent during her appearance on 'Unpretty Rapstar' Season 3. Beyond her idol activities, So-yeon is actively expanding her influence in the K-pop scene through her work as a producer.