I-DLE’s leader Jeon Soyeon has officially returned to the Unpretty Rapstar franchise — but this time, not as a contestant, but as the main producer and solo host of the brand-new season, Unpretty Rapstar: Hip Hop Princess.
At the production press conference held on October 15, Jeon Soyeon reflected on her journey, saying, “It’s been nine years since I first appeared on Unpretty Rapstar as a high school student. It’s an honor to return as an adult and be part of this project in such a meaningful way.” Once a contestant who made her name through the show, she now takes center stage as a mentor seeking to discover the next generation of female rap stars.
Hip Hop Princess is a Korea-Japan collaborative project that aims to create a global hip-hop girl group. Contestants from both countries, representing diverse musical identities such as hip-hop, K-pop, and J-pop, will team up to develop their own music, choreography, styling, and video production — participating in every aspect of their group’s creative process.
Jeon emphasized that her judging criteria are far stricter than those of other survival programs. “Since this is Unpretty Rapstar, skill is everything,” she stated firmly, distinguishing the show from other talent competitions that often prioritize charm or popularity.
She also highlighted creativity and self-production as key elements that make Hip Hop Princess unique. “What sets this show apart is that participants can create everything themselves — from rap styles to stage outfits. It’s about becoming a true artist,” Jeon explained.
Sharing her heartfelt motivation, she added, “I really love music, and I hope this show inspires more people to pursue it seriously. I’ll do my best to discover a hip-hop girl group that combines both skill and originality.”
The show brings together an impressive lineup of mentors, including rapper Gaeko, dancer Riehata, and Japanese artist Iwata Takanori, alongside Jeon Soyeon. Unpretty Rapstar: Hip Hop Princess premieres on October 16 via Mnet in Korea and U-NEXT in Japan simultaneously.
Sources: Daum
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