MBN Responds to Concerns Over 'Under Fifteen' Child Exploitation

On March 21, 2025, MBN addressed growing concerns regarding the child exploitation implications of their new girl group development project, 'Under Fifteen' (언더피프틴). In an official statement, MBN acknowledged the serious worries expressed by various sectors of society about the program. They stated, "MBN takes the concerns regarding the new program 'Under Fifteen' very seriously." The network further announced that they would conduct a comprehensive review of the program's details and its airing status, promising to share their position soon. 'Under Fifteen' is an audition show aimed at discovering K-POP prodigies under the age of 15, featuring 59 girls from over 70 countries, with the goal of forming a talented girl group. Originally set to premiere on March 31, the show faced backlash after the release of teasers and trailers, leading to fears of sexualizing children. Consequently, MBN has decided to reassess the program before making any further announcements.