Pre-schoolers 'Exploited' In Korean Reality Show Under Fifteen, Makers Clarify As Controversy Snowballs

With the growing trend of the K-pop craze, every other person in Korea wants to aspiring idol and it has become a concern now. The latest controversy sparked with the unreleased reality show named Under Fifteen. This show is led by PD Seo Hye Jin under Crea Studio and is set to premiere on March 31. The show aims to form a new girl group from 59 contestants aged under 15 and facing backlash for including participants as young as 8, 5, and even 3 years old.

What is the controversy around Under Fifteen?

When Under Fifteen was announced, many were sceptical, assuming the contestants would be aged between 13 and 15. However, producer Lee Kook Yon revealed that some participants are as young as five. Justifying this, he explained that auditioning serves as a way to identify genuine talent. “Many kids shine in short 10 to 30-second videos, but we want to find those with true potential,” he said.

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Netizens get angry with Under Fifteen show promotions before release

While the idea of such young contestants is already controversial, another issue causing outrage is the way these children have been styled in promotional images. Young girls are portrayed in an “overly mature manner,” sparking criticism. The official poster, released on 12 March, has drawn particular attention for its styling and descriptions. Terms like “bright and bubbly” and “luxury and unique” used to categorise the contestants have been compared to product labels. Many viewers and netizens believe this presentation risks objectifying minors.

Under Fifteen is described as a talent-hunting K-pop show and the “world’s first audition to discover K-pop prodigies under the age of 15.” The show states that 59 participants from over 70 countries have been selected. According to Naver, “These young stars will charm audiences with their ‘hexagonal charm’—a combination of visuals, performance, and vocal talent—creating a new history for K-pop and thrilling fans around the world.”