[Official Report] i-dle Soyeon, Iwata Takanori, RIEHATA, and Gaeko take the stage! Production Presentation for the Japan-Korea Joint Audition Program “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess”
Co., Ltd. U-NEXT Press release: October 16, 2025 i-dle Soyeon, Iwata Takanori, RIEHATA, and Gaeko will be on stage! Official Report from the Production Presentation of the Japan-Korea Joint Audition Program “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess” Streaming exclusively on U-NEXT from 10:02 PM on Thursday, October 16, 2025
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Japanese-Korean joint survival audition program “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess” (hereinafter “HIP POP Princess”) in Japan and Korea, exclusively in Japan, starting Thursday, October 16, 2025. Ahead of the program’s release, a production announcement was held in Seoul, South Korea on the 15th, with the program’s main producers, Soyeon of i-dle, Gaeko (Dynamic Duo), RIEHATA, and Takanori Iwata (Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS), taking the stage. This program is a new Mnet project in which participants compete to debut as the world’s first joint Japanese-Korean hip-hop girl group. A total of 40 participants from Japan and Korea, with an average age of 17, create their own music, choreography, styling, and video production, and compete while showcasing their individual personalities and strengths. At the beginning of the production announcement, a preview performance video of “Do my thang (Producer Ver.),” the title track of “HIP POP Princess,” performed by i-dle’s Soyeon, Gaeko, RIEHATA, and Takanori Iwata, was shown, and all 40 Japanese and Korean participants who made it through approximately six months of auditions gathered together for a photo session.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-bb5a2419942518972462c93aec5aaf26-2400×1600.jpg (C)Mnet
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-cbf341b63c4a45fe351a5c6977e137f6-2400×1600.jpg (C)Mnet In the Q&A session that followed, the four main producers, who continue to be at the forefront of their respective fields, spoke about their thoughts on the program from their unique perspectives. The show’s MC will be i-dle Soyoung, the participants’ “role model.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-a8e8674d997e40490cb0a705ae818d5d-1600×2400.jpg (C)Mnet The show will be hosted by idol group i-dle’s leader, Soyeon. Despite being the youngest contestant, she made a strong impression on the 2016 rapper audition program “Unpretty Rapstar 3,” and is also active as a lyricist, composer, and producer, making her a true role model for the contestants. He commented on his thoughts on returning to the “Unpretty Rapstar” series as MC and main producer for the first time in nine years. “I never thought that ‘HIP POP Princess’ would be broadcast as a new season of ‘Unpretty Rapstar,’ so I’m very happy. I was a high school student at the time, and now, nine years later, as an adult, I’m honored to be able to participate again.” Takanori Iwata will use his own audition experience to support participants! Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-f95fd07cfb96e61ab55ae0c32450de9a-1600×2400.jpg (C)Mnet The main producer from Japan will be Takanori Iwata, a member of Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS and a multi-talented solo artist and actor. “I myself passed the audition to debut as a member of a dance vocal unit, so I decided to participate because I believe there are things I can share with the younger generation based on my own experiences,” she said enthusiastically. “This isn’t just a show about deciding who wins or loses. I think viewers will be moved by the drama of each moment, and the younger generation really shines. I think the desire to pursue one’s dreams really touches people’s hearts, no matter the era. I’m also inspired by their spirit of challenge.” RIEHATA returns to Mnet’s audition program!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-9d8c7992f940ceac66430d5241674c72-1600×2400.jpg (C)Mnet RIEHATA, a world-renowned top choreographer and dancer, appeared on Mnet’s “WORLD OF STREET WOMAN FIGHTER” this year and has experience as the leader of RH Tokyo. “I’ve always been on the judge’s side, so I can kind of understand the feelings of the 40 participants. Even though I was obsessed with winning and losing, in the end I thought it was a battle against myself,” he said, looking back on that time, and commented on the role he wants to play as main producer. “I hope I can help motivate everyone. There are so many things that are easy to lose sight of while fighting. I think everyone is here because they love dance, music, and rap, and I want them to keep that passion burning, so I hope I can have fun myself and make this a show that everyone can get absorbed in, saying, ‘I’m looking forward to seeing you all dance!’ and ‘Your performances are amazing!'” Gaeko of Dynamic Duo produced the title track.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-ac5021c1a430ce81c22d12babea0f073-1600×2400.jpg (C)Mnet Gaeko, a member of Dynamic Duo who has produced numerous hits and led the Korean hip-hop scene, produced and directed the recording of the program’s title song, “Do my thang.” “At first, I was worried about whether I would be able to direct raps by 40 people, both time-wise and physically, but once recording began, all those worries vanished. I witnessed the participants’ ability to absorb information, their talent, and their potential, and I was truly amazed at how, at their age, they had found what they wanted to do and were taking on the challenge.” Who will be chosen to form the world’s first joint Japanese-Korean hip-hop girl group?
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-0d2dd245e8fb0dfd5844e6618271f926-2341×1542.jpg (C)Mnet The participants of “HIP POP Princess” not only compete but also grow through collaboration, performing together for the chance to debut. It’s a battle that tests not only their rapping and dancing skills, but also their producing abilities. Soyeon of i-dle, who continues to be active at the forefront of the K-pop world, shared her love for music and offered words of encouragement to the participants. “The reason I became a singer is because I love music. I’ve been thinking lately that I hope that aspiring idols — while beauty is also very important — will love music even more and become singers, and that more people will make their own music. I feel that all the participants in ‘HIP POP Princess’ are on exactly that path, growing and moving towards making their own music. I hope viewers will watch these girls and help them nurture their dreams together. Please be sure to tune in.” When asked about the highlights of the show, Takanori Iwata praised the skills of the talented contestants, saying, “The level of the battles has been really high from the very first episode, and I’m sure viewers will be amazed.” “They’re highly skilled at self-production, and each one has mastered their own unique personality and charm. Forty of these women will team up in Japan and Korea, and they’ll compete in a total production format, writing rap lyrics for the same performance or song. The judging criteria will be their personalities, what they’re thinking, and the type of creativity they’ll show, so it’s definitely worth watching. I highly recommend it!” “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess” aims to discover “HIP POP” artists who combine hip hop and pop. Don’t miss the birth of an unprecedented Japanese-Korean hip hop girl group! “Unpretty Rapstar: HIP POP Princess”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/31998/2458/31998-2458-8309bdf096790be2ed0e246576d43708-1920×1080.jpg Streaming start date: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 10:02 PM *New episodes released every Thursday Streaming Information: U-NEXT / Unlimited viewing (exclusive domestic distribution) / Japanese subtitles Official Website: https://hippop.unext.jp/ ★Episode 1 will be live streamed for free on YouTube!
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