Read our article to learn why AOMG artist and CEO Simon Dominic decided to participate as a judge/producer on Show Me the Money 5.
Previously, you dissed <Show Me the Money (SMTM)>. Why did you join as a producer this season?
I decided to come back out to the world first through <SMTM>, but as soon as I made that decision people cursed at me. You know? It was a hot topic. [The dissing] was never included in my lyrics, but I did talk about <SMTM> at my live shows. I said “Why should I go on the show? I make good money without it.” I’m not participating on <SMTM> for the money… I still stand by that statement.
After joining AOMG, I am most happy about being able to do what I want to do and also make money from it. Whether or not I participate on <SMTM> does not affect my [financial] life. That being said, the reason why I decided to join <SMTM> is to change myself… I joined to change the way I lived my life. Of course I knew that joining <SMTM> would be controversial. I predicted the response I received.
In the past, E-SENS and I half-jokingly agreed “not to go on <SMTM>”… If I visit E-SENS, he would probably tease me and ask, “I heard you went on <SMTM>? Ehh so you ended up doing it? I thought you said you weren’t going on the show?”
I was inspired by Jay Park‘s hustle and workload last year during his involvement in <SMTM4>… meanwhile, I was stuck at home preparing for my full-length album. I thought to myself, “Jaebum [Jay’s legal name] is working so hard for our AOMG label… what am I doing right now?” I wanted to help our label company. Help that people can see with their eyes. Whether that help is through selling music, or through my presence on <SMTM> or other broadcasting shows. Anything that will help promote AOMG, which is why I changed my mind about <SMTM> and decided to become a judge/producer on the show.
When I moved from my old house, my mother visited me in Seoul. While we were eating, she asked me, “How come you don’t participate on <SMTM>?” To which I asked back, “Would you be happy if I participated?” She answered, “I would be happy, seeing you on television every week.” That conversation hit me pretty hard.
In some ways, <SMTM> ruined the image of hip-hop and portrayed the culture in bad light. In any case, my company, my team, family and friends see my participation on <SMTM> as me growing out of my stubbornness. The decision to participate was for my friends and family. I knew that people would curse at me. I am the type that does not like to be cursed at or have my pride damaged. But despite all this, if I chose to participate on <SMTM> it was for my people. Through <SMTM>, I wanted to come back out to the world and become active again. I wanted to become the sincere Kisuk [Simon Dominic’s legal name] **laughs** Don’t laugh!
My story about <SMTM> is for my fans who supported me through this journey, and not for my haters. I hope that my haters will keep disliking me. The more haters and anti-fans I have, the more I am valued. This interview is intended for my fans who were disappointed in my decision to join <SMTM>. I plan to show a positive image of myself through <SMTM>.
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