Controversy Surrounds MBN's New Girl Group Audition Show 'Under Fifteen'

As the premiere of MBN's new girl group audition show, 'Under Fifteen' (언더피프틴), approaches, concerns regarding the sexualization of minors have emerged. On March 21, MBN released an official statement acknowledging the serious concerns raised by various sectors of society. The network stated, "We take these concerns seriously and will thoroughly review the program's content and its airing status before making an official announcement soon."

'Under Fifteen' is designed to discover K-POP prodigies under the age of 15, with its first episode set to air on March 31. The show aims to cultivate a girl group from 59 girls aged 15 and under from over 70 countries, but the release of teasers and trailers has sparked fears of child sexualization.

In light of the growing controversy, MBN is reconsidering whether to air the show. On the same day, the production team of 'Under Fifteen' issued a lengthy statement urging the public to evaluate the program based on its content rather than speculation.

The production team explained, "'Under Fifteen' is a fifth-generation K-POP audition that opens doors for the Alpha generation who have chosen the path of becoming idols. As the status of K-POP rises, the age of aspiring idols is decreasing, and this program is designed to provide children with real experiences to grow on stage."

They emphasized that all participants have confirmed their willingness to join and have received consent from their guardians. The production team has adhered strictly to recording guidelines to protect the minor participants during filming. They also noted that decisions regarding costumes and styling were made in active consultation with the guardians, and rehearsal hours were limited to a maximum of 35 hours per week, with constant supervision from guardians and the production team.

However, the production team expressed their distress over the negative impact the controversy has had on the young participants and their guardians, stating, "It is a very upsetting situation that has caused significant shock and hurt to the children involved."

They highlighted the passion and dedication of the participants, who are striving to achieve their dreams of becoming leading K-POP idols, and mentioned that international participants have been committed to the project since the global preliminary auditions held last summer.

To address the concerns, the production team plans to upload teaser videos related to the show on the official 'Crea Studio' YouTube channel soon, assuring that viewers will see the participants' enthusiasm and the team's sincerity. They urged the public to watch the videos and form their own opinions, promising to take extra care in production to avoid further controversies.

With MBN's official statement and the production team's response now public, attention will be on how public opinion shifts following the upcoming teaser release.