TV
Controversy Surrounds Upcoming 'Under Fifteen' Show Amid Criticism of Minor Exploitation
On October 22, Crea Studio's channel uploaded the first episode preview of 'Under Fifteen'.
Previously released participant profile photos by Crea Studio, the production company of 'Under Fifteen', included details such as names, birth years, nationalities, positions, and even barcodes.
The participants, known to be minors aged 8 to 15, have sparked controversy by wearing revealing outfits like crop tops.
The Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media (CCDM) issued a statement on October 21, criticizing 'Under Fifteen' for promoting the commodification of minors and demanding an immediate halt to the broadcast. Similarly, the Korean Women's Political Network released a statement on October 20, condemning the show for exploiting child labor and sexualizing minors under the guise of a promising challenge.
In response, on October 21, the production team of MBN's 'Under Fifteen' released a statement, saying, "We have uploaded a teaser video related to the main episode on the official YouTube channel of 'Crea Studio'. We are confident that viewers will be able to see the passion of the young participants and the sincerity of the production team. We kindly ask you to watch the video and evaluate it for yourself."
The production team further emphasized, "'Under Fifteen' is a program that supports and accompanies the dreams of its participants. We sincerely hope that the sweat and effort the participants have poured in for over six months will not be in vain, and we will make more meticulous efforts in production to prevent further controversy."
Meanwhile, 'Under Fifteen' is the world's first global audition show aimed at discovering K-pop prodigies under the age of 15. The program features 59 talented young girls from over 70 countries, showcasing their visual appeal, performance skills, and vocal abilities, regardless of race, nationality, or genre.
