The KBS Japan broadcast of 'UNDER 15,' already canceled in South Korea due to allegations of child sexualization, has now been scrapped as well.
On August 9, KBS Japan announced, “After receiving the proposal for the show, we conducted internal and external reviews and sought multiple consultations, proceeding with discussions on the assumption of airing it. However, in consideration of the grave public sentiment both domestically and internationally, we have decided not to include it in our lineup.”
'UNDER 15' was initially scheduled to air on MBN on March 31. However, after the release of contestant profiles and promotional trailers, the program faced a wave of criticism for allegedly sexualizing minors, which led MBN to cancel its broadcast plans.
Recently, the KBS Japan YouTube channel featured 'UNDER 15,' rebranded as 'Star is Born,' in its “KBS World Recommended Programs for August 2025,” suggesting that efforts were underway to revive the show.
Billed as the world’s first global talent competition aimed at discovering K-pop prodigies under the age of 15, 'Star is Born' once again failed to move forward as the controversy over the sexualization of minors remained unresolved.
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