Congressman An Young Hwan of the Committee on Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting & Communications has stated that there must be restrictions set to prevent underage idols from dropping out of school and being exploited.
According to documents he revealed on October 16th, idol group minors were being overworked for broadcast appearances.
SHINee's Taemin (17), a high school student, recorded program 'A' from 8 PM to 11 PM. Wonder Girls' Sohee (18) and Lim (18) also were present at a recording for program 'B' until 3 AM.
IU (17) and T-ara's Jiyeon (17) both worked past midnight in programs 'C' and 'D' despite being high school students.
Congressman An continued, "Even Japan has restrictions set preventing minors from making broadcast appearances past 10 PM. England also does not allow anyone under the age of 16 to stay past 9:30 PM at a recording set. We must create a work environment that enables young celebrities to work in settings fit for their age. There must be a guideline with broadcast companies, such as limiting the amount of time recordings take to under a day when underage idols are present."
He concluded, "Broadcast companies and our society alike are wrapping up these young children and selling them to the public. Any variety program these days make requests to young female idols to perform 'sexy dances' in revealing outfits. This is not right for our society at all."
An will be submitting these claims to the KBS parliamentary inspection on the 18th, and is requesting that there be a restriction set on idol appearances.
Source + Photo: Star News, Herald Biz
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