Due to the immense success of rap shows like "Unpretty Rapstar" and "Show Me the Money", it became almost certain that another rap survival show would come out on television.
True to expectations, JTBC released its own version of a rap survival show through "Hip Hop Nation". The first season already finished its run and was a success thanks to the support from fans, the MCs, and the stellar music productions.
Following JTBC's confirmation for a "Hip Hop Nation 2", comedian Shin Dong Yup and rapper San E were confirmed to host the second season as well.
The first episode for this highly anticipated rap survival competition aired on October 18 on JTBC, featuring celebrities doing challenges related to hip hop. In the first episode, five tribes composed of 15 producers contended against one another to choose and enlist the best celebrity participants for their teams.
Former child actress Lee Young Yoo was the first participant who succeeded in the blind auditions. Despite receiving negative comments due to her sexy dancing, she ended up with DinDin's tribe thanks to her "Jessi-like" vibe.
The second competitor was celebrity chef Meng Ki Yong. Unfortunately, he did not make the cut as he failed to win the hearts of the producers, who agreed his rap did not have too much of an impact.
A musical actress and K-pop idol for 15 years, Dana did well in impressing the judges with her good pronunciation. Performing her own rendition of Bobby's "Raise Your Guard and Bounce", Dana got recruited into the Hot Chicks tribes although she confessed she has no rapping experience before.
Jang Ki Yong was famous for acting alongside singer IU in one of her MVs. A model by profession, he auditioned in the program and performed Big Bang T.O.P.'s "Doom Dada". His swag and excellent diction earned him great praises from the judges and got him 3 tribes competing to have him on their team.
Actor Song Jae Hee failed the audition albeit a good performance of a Drunken Tiger song. The same thing happened to actress Kang Su Mi after performing Jimin's "PUSS".
The last competitor for Hip Hop Nation Two's pilot episode blew all the producers away. He earned lots of praises and positive comments from the judges wherein eight of them battled to have him to their tribe. It was later revealed that former Ooh La La Session member, Park Gwang Sun, was the man behind the talent. He ended up as Brand New tribe's newest recruit.
