‘Show Me the Money 5′ producers vow ‘cleaner’ show

The judging panel for the Mnet rap competition series “Show Me the Money 5″ poses for photos at a press conference at Times Square in Seoul on May 13, 2016.

SEOUL, (Yonhap) — Producers of the upcoming season of “Show Me the Money” said Friday they are trying to censor out offensive lyrics more aggressively than before to quell controversies that have plagued the rap competition series since its 2012 inception.

The cable TV channel Mnet’s rap audition program has come under fire nearly every season for condoning or encouraging contestants to use explicit language in a show of authenticity. But producers vowed to tone it down while trying to protect contestants’ freedom of speech in the fifth season.

“People have been accusing us of distorting hip-hop. We won’t do that again, but we also hope viewers won’t distort our show either,” producer Han Dong-cheol said at a press conference at Times Square in southwestern Seoul. “The part that stirs up controversy makes up less than 2 percent of our show. It’s unfortunate because the remaining 98 percent features the raps and realities of underrepresented artists.”

Co-producer Ko Ik-jo chimed in, saying none of the participants have so far written controversial lyrics.

“We aren’t censoring our participants, but we are censoring portions to be aired,” Ko said. “We are grateful because participants seem to be cutting unnecessary swear words out of the lyrics on their own.”

Producers have touted that “Show Me the Money 5″ would be a historic season because of its star-studded panel of judges, record number of applicants and first-ever preliminaries held outside of South Korea. Some 9,000 people applied for the preliminary auditions, with the judging panel featuring rappers that include Dok2, Simon Dominic, The Quiett and Gill.

“(Our show) has become a lot bigger. You can tell from the judges that we will be covering a wide variety of hip-hop. In previous seasons, we focused more on individual rappers, but this season is comprised of hip-hop producers of many genres,” Ko said.

“Show Me the Money 5″ has also generated buzz because it is Gill’s first TV show in two years. The rapper, part of hip-hop duo Leessang, voluntarily left the MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge” in 2014 after getting caught driving under the influence. The 38-year-old had been a permanent member of the Sunday show for five years.

Gill of hip-hop duo Leessang speaks to reporters at a press conference promoting the Mnet rap competition show “Show Me the Money 5″ at Times Square in southwestern Seoul on May 13, 2016.

“Just because I’m coming back doesn’t mean I am no longer regretting my decisions back then,” he told reporters. “I decided to start from scratch. I wondered what I could do best. That’s when I decided to go back to music.”

Gill will reunite with “Infinite Challenge” comedian Jeong Jun-ha, who applied to join “Show Me the Money 5″ as a contestant. Jeong’s participation is an extension of the MBC show.

“It had been two years since we last saw each other. I’ve tried to avoid meeting the ‘Infinite Challenge’ cast because I was so ashamed,” Gill said. “When I saw Jeong, I had to fight back tears. I don’t know what I was feeling, but my heart ached.”

Simon Dominic, who used to mock “Show Me the Money” as a “waste of time,” said he foresaw the firestorm of criticisms he would trigger by joining the show.

“I knew people would hate me,” he said. “The biggest reason for joining was my agency. I also wanted to go back to my 20s when I was more passionate and diligent in my duties.”

“People can change their minds. I don’t know what else to say,” he added.

“Show Me the Money 5″ premieres on Mnet at 11 p.m. on Friday.

Rapper Simon Dominic speaks to reporters at a press conference promoting the Mnet rap competition show “Show Me the Money 5″ at Times Square in southwestern Seoul on May 13, 2016.