‘Under Fifteen’ faces scrutiny: MBN reconsiders, producers push forward

MBN’s upcoming audition program Under Fifteen has stirred significant controversy even before its premiere, with critics accusing it of sexualizing minors.

On March 22, the production team of Under Fifteen released a statement addressing the growing backlash: "With various controversies emerging even before the first episode has aired, the young participants and their guardians have been deeply shocked and hurt by the situation, which we find profoundly distressing and regrettable."

The statement continued, "Despite their young age, the participants of ‘Under Fifteen’ are passionately and earnestly preparing their performances with a burning desire to achieve their dream of becoming globally influential K-pop idols. This includes international contestants who have been diligently working toward this goal since passing local auditions last summer."

The production team also directed attention to teaser footage uploaded to the official YouTube channel of Crea Studio, the production company behind the show. "We are confident that viewers will see the passion of these young participants and the sincerity of our team. We kindly ask that you watch the footage yourself and form your own judgment," they urged. They added, "As a program that supports the dreams of its participants, we sincerely hope their sweat and effort - sometimes spanning over six months - will not go to waste. Moving forward, we will take extra care in production to prevent further controversy."

Under Fifteen, billed as a "K-pop talent discovery audition for generational change" exclusively for girls aged 15 and under, is the latest project from Crea Studio, founded by producer Seo Hye Jin, known for Miss Trot and Mr. Trot. The show gained attention for its unique premise but faced immediate scrutiny after its teaser release. Critics raised concerns over assembling middle school-aged or younger girls to compete for a girl group debut, exposing them to media scrutiny and judgment. According to the production team, 59 "prodigies" were selected from over 70 countries, regardless of race, nationality, or genre. The teaser included contestants’ ages, showed performances in revealing outfits, and featured barcode designs alongside profiles on social media, fueling accusations of sexualizing minors.

As the controversy grew, broadcaster MBN stepped in. On March 21, MBN issued a statement: "We take the concerns from all sectors of society regarding the new program ‘Under Fifteen’ very seriously. We will comprehensively reevaluate the program’s content and whether it will air at all."

In response, the Under Fifteen production team countered, "All participants joined the program willingly, with their participation confirmed by themselves and their guardians’ consent. They are precious talents, and we have strictly adhered to recording guidelines to protect these underage performers during filming." They further explained, "Costumes and styling were decided through active discussions with the participants’ guardians, and practice hours were capped at a maximum of 35 hours per week during recording periods, with guardians and staff providing pickup services and constant care."