On March 24, 2025, South Korean media source Tenasia revealed that MBN would conduct an emergency briefing to determine the future of its entertainment program, UNDER FIFTEEN, amidst intensifying public scrutiny. This critical meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Stanford Hotel located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Key figures, including Seo Hye-jin, CEO of Crea Studio, and producers Yong Seok-in and Lee Kook-yong, are set to participate in this conference. Many viewers have raised concerns regarding the program, primarily due to allegations of sexual objectification of minors involved in the show.
As outlined by the media, UNDER FIFTEEN is touted as a pioneering initiative designed to discover extraordinary talents among children under the age of fifteen. The show aims to assemble a fifth-generation girl group characterized by remarkable skills and potential that defy age limitations.
However, the concept has not garnered positive reception among the audience, with many condemning it as exploitative and overly commodifying young talents.
MBN Addresses the Controversy Surrounding UNDER FIFTEEN
In light of the ongoing debate, MBN has stated that they value the opinions from various sectors of society and are thoroughly investigating the concerns related to the program. In an official communication, they noted:
“We are taking the concerns of all walks of life in our society regarding UNDER FIFTEEN seriously. MBN will comprehensively review the details of the program, including whether or not to air it, and will soon announce our position.”
The production team has also expressed the emotional toll the controversy has taken on participants. A representative lamented the situation, stating:
“It is very disappointing and unfortunate that various controversies have arisen before the first episode has even been released, causing extreme shock and hurt to the young participants and their guardians.”
Furthermore, the Citizens’ Coalition for Democratic Media (CDM) has issued a statement denouncing the program. They voiced strong disapproval of the show’s premise, describing it as a form of commercialization that reduces minors to mere commodities. CDM representatives highlighted the severe physical and psychological pressures the competition places on these young contestants.
They further articulated their concerns that the intention behind the program could lead to sexual objectification of children, labeling such practices as a form of child abuse. The CDM emphasized that such actions might foster exploitative labor conditions detrimental to minors’ rights, reiterating their unwillingness to accept such occurrences.
In a related development, the production team recently released a teaser video for the program, inviting the public to watch and form their own opinions concerning its content.