Show Me The Money

Show Me The Money (SMTM; Korean: 쇼미더머니 Syomi Deo Meoni) is a South Korean rap competition TV show that airs on Mnet. The show has grown in popularity since the first season aired in 2012 to its eighth season in 2019, and it is credited with increasing the South Korean public's interest in hip hop.

Season 1 (2012)
The first season of SMTM began airing on June 22, 2012 and was hosted by Eun Ji-won of the K-pop group Sechs Kies. The season paired experienced rappers Double K, Verbal Jint, 45RPM, MC Sniper, Miryo, Hoony Hoon, Joosuc, and Garion with rookie rappers. Notable contestants included Cheetah, one of the show's few female rappers, who would later become the winner of the first season of SMTM spin-off, Unpretty Rapstar.

Rookie rapper Loco, under the mentorship of Double K, won the competition and went on to sign with hip hop label AOMG. He later appeared on season 4 as a producer.

Season 2 (2013)
The second season of SMTM began airing on June 7, 2013 and was again hosted by Eun Ji-won. Contestants were split into two hip hop crews, "Meta Crew," led by MC Meta of the group Garion, and "D.O Crew," led by Lee Hyun Do, formerly of '90s hip hop duo Deux. The season's contestants included several rappers who would go on to become well-known artists, including LE of EXID, Mad Clown, and Swings.

The winner of the second season was hip hop trio Soul Dive, mentored by MC Meta.

Season 3 (2014) first YG appearance
The third season of SMTM saw a number of prominent Korean hip hop figures' participation. The producers split themselves loosely along the lines of larger Korean hip hop labels, leading to Tablo and Masta Wu representing "Team YG," Dok2 and The Quiett representing "Team Illionaire," Swings and San E representing "Team Brand New Music," and "Team YDG". The season was won by Bobby from K-Pop idol group iKON, together with his producers Dok2 and The Quiett of Team Illionaire.