Backlash Against K-pop Survival Show ‘Under 15’ Due to Contestants as Young as 8

Intense Backlash Surrounds K-pop Audition Show “Under 15”

The highly anticipated K-pop audition program “Under 15″has ignited significant controversy and public outrage due to its format, which includes contestants as young as eight years old. Set to premiere on March 31, the show seeks to uncover K-pop talents from a diverse lineup of 59 young participants hailing from over 70 countries, including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

Premise of the Show and Initial Reactions

This survival show, produced by Crea Studio and scheduled to air on MBN, initially stirred discontent when a teaser was released on YouTube. The teaser featured young contestants undergoing makeup application, which led to an uproar. However, subsequent promotional content intensified the negativity surrounding the show, showcasing the young competitors dressed in heavy makeup, crop tops, and short skirts.

Impact of Scandals on Public Sentiment

The situation has been exacerbated by a recent scandal involving actor Kim Soo-hyun, who faces allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a minor actress. This context has undoubtedly heightened public sensitivity regarding the age and treatment of the participants in “Under 15.”

A survival show called ‘UNDER15’ is already wild in the first place.39 participants between 9 to 15 yo is absolutely crazy. I hope nobody watches or supports this show bcz there’s no way this exists!! 💀 https://t.co/l6tK07bexd pic.twitter.com/d1v6QPfIxc

— ΉYPΣBӨY (@Hypeboy_Jurin) March 12, 2025

Producers Respond to Criticism

In light of the mounting backlash, the producers held a press conference on Tuesday to address these controversies. Hwang In-young, co-CEO of Crea Studio, remarked, “We anticipated some concerns, but after a year in production, we were hopeful that audiences would connect emotionally with the show.” He added that both those involved in the production and the young contestants, along with their guardians, were puzzled by the criticisms facing their project.

Regulatory Action and Uncertainty of Airing

Despite the producers’ efforts to defend their show, the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has lodged a complaint against Crea Studio for allegedly misrepresenting the approval process for the show. The KCSC has clarified that it had not given the green light for the program, contradicting earlier claims from the production team.

The future of “Under 15″remains uncertain, with no official announcements regarding any delays or cancellations from Crea Studios as of Thursday.

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