What’s the first thing that comes in your mind when you watch a beautiful female K-pop idol dancing to some powerful and alluring choreography? Now, what if we tell you that this female idol has just turned 15? Would you still consider her sexy and alluring? Most people would never think so. And yet, K-pop survival show “Under 15” plans on normalizing debuting underage minors by making them actively participating in a fierce competition despite their young age, causing a massive controversy in the community.
With more statements and facts revealed, the escalating controversy surrounding “Under 15” K-pop survival show has turned massive. And here’s everything need to know. Read carefully and let us know what you think on this issue.
The Escalating Controversy of “Under 15” K-pop Survival Show
Previously, a new K-pop survival show, “Under 15”, sparked massive debate after claiming to be the first audition program for contestants under 15 years old.
Despite its promise of debuting successful 5th generation K-pop girl group, the show became the center of public criticism. Not only the show brings potential negative impacts against the underage participants, it also faces accusations of child sexualization.
Responding to the public’s backlash, PD Seo Hye Jin and the production team decided to hold an emergency production briefing at the Stanford Hotel Seoul. And yet, even after the tearful explanation from the co-production CEO, the controversy surrounding “Under 15” K-pop survival show only escalated even worse.
Not only fans and the general public, Korean regulators have now spoken up against both the show and the producers.
Explanation from Production Team of “Under 15” K-pop Survival Show
On March 25, K-pop survival show “Under 15” held an emergency briefing regarding the program’s controversy. Attending the briefing were key members of the production team from Crea Studio, including CEO/PD Seo Hye Jin, Co-CEO Hwang In Young, and PD Yong Seok In.
“Under 15” is Not Sexualizing the Contestants, Producers Claim
At the emergency briefing, production team of K-pop survival show “Under 15” delivered their denials on the latest child sexualization controversy.
Co-CEO Hwang In Young grew visibly emotional when addressing the backlash, expressing her concerns about how the controversy was affecting the young participants. PD Yong Seok In, continuing from her statement, emphasized how painful it had been for the contestants themselves to be caught in the middle of a distorted narrative.
“They are receiving emotional wounds from the misinterpretations.
PD Yong Seok In
It’s heartbreaking. If the broadcast is canceled, the damage done to both the children and their parents will be immeasurable.”
In defending their creative choices, PD Seo Hye Jin added that the controversial “barcode” graphics and stylized makeup used in teasers were misinterpreted.
According to Seo Hye Jin, the visuals were designed with the concept of a “student ID,” not as a means to commodify the contestants. She further insisted that the production was led by a team of women, arguing that questioning their gender sensitivity was a disrespectful dismissal of women working in media.
“We envisioned the audition as a school-like environment. It was shocking to see it reinterpreted in such a negative way.
CEO/PD Seo Hye Jin.
To protect the contestants, we’ve since taken down all profiles.”
The First Episode Has Been Fully Approved
A major part of the production team’s defense hinged on their claim that the show had been internally reviewed and approved.
PD Seo stated that “Under 15” first episode had been reviewed by MBN’s internal review and planning teams and found to contain “no issues.”
“We consulted with MBN as well, and MBN, feeling a sense of platform responsibility, entered discussions to reconsider the lineup. However, the first episode has already gone through internal preview screenings by the broadcaster’s review team, and it was internally concluded that there were no issues with the content.”
Seo Hye Jin.
An Audition with School-Like Environment
Moreover, the production team described “Under 15” not merely as a debut-focused survival show. Instead, it is a developmental training program designed to offer young talents a chance to grow.
“This is not just about debuting. It’s about learning.
Seo Hye Jin.
The program was created to give these children a safe environment to experience growth—not only in performance skills but also in teamwork and perseverance.
We made sure they walked away with something meaningful, even if they don’t win.”
The team emphasized that they had strictly followed labor laws and guidelines. Practice hours were capped at 35 hours per week during filming, and weekday recordings were conducted under compliance with the Act on the Development of the Public Culture and Arts Industry.
Additionally, the team claimed to have taken extra precautions to avoid interfering with the participants’ education.
However, critics remained unconvinced.
More Controversy: Regulator Denies Approving the Survival Show
As the show’s debut date approached, the regulatory scandal added another layer to the controversy.
The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) clarified in no uncertain terms that it had not approved the show for broadcast. They explicitly refuted the production team’s earlier suggestion that a government body had cleared the program, emphasizing that such claims were misleading and unfounded.
Previously, many had interpreted Seo Hye Jin’s remark that the show had been greenlit by South Korea’s national media regulator. This includes the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC). But the KCSC swiftly and publicly denied this.
“Production company Crea Studio’s claim that the full version of the show’s first episode was reviewed and approved by the KCSC is entirely untrue. Under Korean law, our commission does not pre-approve content. We review only after a program has aired.”
KCSC
The KCSC then filed an official complaint against the production team for making false and misleading public claims.
“We have lodged a complaint with Crea Studio for making statements that contradict the facts.”
KCSC
Crea Studio later issued a public apology and clarification, explaining that Seo remarks were referring to MBN’s internal review, not KCSC’s. They admitted their failure to clearly communicate this distinction and labeled the incident a “misunderstanding.”
Treating Underage Children as Marketable Products
Critics have been especially vocal about how the show’s promotion strategy visually positioned the contestants. One of the most controversial elements was a promotional poster describing the girls with phrases like “bright and bubbly” and “luxury and unique,” paired with barcode-style graphics—evoking comparisons to product labels.
“The barcode-style graphics were a major problem. While the production team claims it was meant to resemble a school ID, the visual choices don’t support that narrative.
Lee Jong Im, Lecturer at Seoul National University of Science & Technology.
The close-up shots of makeup application and intense eye contact gave off a fetishizing tone. It reflects a lack of thoughtful consideration.”
Lee Jong Im further criticized the absence of proper safeguards when dealing with participants as young as eight years old.
According to her, the show emphasized youth and appearance over genuine artistic development. She pointed to international broadcasting standards, like those of the BBC, which prohibit producers from privately contacting minors or following them on social media—rules that are virtually nonexistent in Korean reality TV.
The Danger of “Under 15”: Impact of the K-pop Survival Show on the Contestants
Beyond the visuals, the core issue that continues to provoke outrage is the psychological toll such programs might take on children. With its intense format, “Under 15” places young contestants into a hyper-competitive, high-pressure environment where they are ranked, judged, and potentially eliminated based on public and professional opinion.
Kim Ji Yeon, Vice Chair of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, who spoke at a public press conference, warned of the long-term damage such programming can cause.
“If media takes the lead in turning the sexualization and competition of children and adolescents into entertainment. Then these young people will start to believe it’s only natural to be evaluated and to compete in order to achieve their dreams.”
Kim Ji Yeon
Experts argue that in a society already battling extreme beauty standards and mental health issues among teens, shows like “Under 15” risk reinforcing toxic messages about self-worth and performance.
Should It Broadcast as Planned?
Now, as “Under 15” approaches its scheduled premiere on March 31 at 9 PM KST, the pressure continues to mount on both Crea Studio and broadcaster MBN. From civic groups and educators to regulators and media experts, the call to cancel or postpone the show has only grown louder.
Yet, no official announcement has been made regarding its cancellation. And despite issuing clarifications and tearful statements, the producers remain insistent on the show’s intent and integrity—leaving the nation divided on whether the program should ever make it to air.
With 129 civic organizations demanding an immediate halt, and Korea’s own media watchdog filing complaints against the production team, “Under 15” has become the centerpiece of a national debate about how we treat children in entertainment.
Is it a platform for nurturing young dreams, or a high-stakes spectacle that risks exploiting innocence for ratings?
All eyes are now on MBN and Crea Studio. The decision they make in the coming days may very well set the tone for how the industry moves forward.
So, what do you think? Should “Under 15” air as planned? Or should the plug be pulled before it’s too late? Let us know your thoughts.
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