New Celebrity Dating Show Hit With Scathing Outrage Before Even Filming

Mnet’s newly announced dating show has already sparked major backlash online, even before filming has begun.

The program is reportedly recruiting female participants who will appear alongside rappers from Show Me The Money in what is being described as a new relationship-focused format set for summer 2026.

According to the announcement, the show is looking for women aged 19 and above, born before June 24, 2007. Applicants are asked to submit basic personal details, including height, occupation, education, dating history, and unedited photos. Selected candidates will be contacted individually after applying through an online form.

[단독] <쇼미더머니> 출신 래퍼들이 여자친구를 구한다?! #MnetPlus_ORIGINAL

직설적이고 본능적인 대한민국의 래퍼들과
2026년 여름, 새로운 인연이 될 여성 출연자를 모집합니다.

🔥 모집 기간 : 6/24(수)~6/30(화) 23:59 마감
🔥 지원 자격 : 만 19세 이상 여성 출연자 *2007년 6월 24일 이전… pic.twitter.com/VXXWR3w6Yw

— Mnet (@MnetKR) June 24, 2026

However, the concept has quickly drawn criticism from netizens who say the show reduces both women and rappers to a dating experiment rather than a music-related project.

how does one program manage to do it all: treat women as sexual objects, equate rap with cishet men, erase female and queer rappers, and reduce smtm to women wanting to fuck rappers, completely undermining the art in the process

— Riva (@r1v4sh0s4) June 24, 2026

Many questioned why such a program was even necessary in the first place, while others criticized the casting approach, arguing that the rappers viewers are actually interested in are unlikely to appear.

So they really had to make an entire program just to ‘find girlfriends’ for rappers? Why is that even necessary?

여친은 알아서들 구해라
래퍼들 여친 만들어주겠다고 프로그램까지 굳이 만들어야 하는 이유가 뭔데

— 얼음❄️ (@suuunnlin) June 24, 2026

Some also pointed out that the application requirements resemble those of a matchmaking service rather than a television program, with several calling the format outdated and uncomfortable.

Who even planned this lol? Completely out of touch. Rapper is basically the peak of the type of job you shouldn’t date if you look at the misogyny in lyrics and attitudes anyway. No matter who the female participants are, they’re just going to be pitied.

기획 누가했냐 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 감다뒤네 래퍼들이야 말로 여성혐오 그 자체에 노래 가사 자체에도 여성경시가 그대로 드러나서 만나면 안 될 남자 직업 최정점에 서있는거 아님?
여출 누가하든 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 다들 그저 불쌍하게만 볼 듯

— 김금동🐕🏳️‍🌈 (@kdl_331) June 24, 2026

What are your thoughts on Mnet’s new dating show concept? Do you think the backlash is justified, or is the reaction going too far? Let us know your opinion in the comments section of our social media posts!