The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has denied approving MBN’s upcoming Kpop survival show Under 15 and is now taking action against production company Crea Studio for spreading false claims.
The controversy exploded when Crea Studio co-CEO Seo Hye-jin told reporters that the show’s first episode had been reviewed and cleared by the KCSC. The regulator fired back, saying it never pre-approves content, only reviews it after broadcast. In response, Crea Studio admitted it had only received approval from MBN, the show’s broadcaster, and called the situation a misunderstanding.
But that’s just the beginning of the storm surrounding Under 15. The show, featuring contestants as young as eight, has been accused of sexualizing minors in promotional materials. A poster describing contestants with product-style labels sparked outrage, while pre-release footage showing heavily styled young girls only added fuel to the fire. Critics argue the show is exploiting minors and reinforcing harmful beauty standards.
Industry experts say this is just another example of how young Kpop trainees are treated. Some start training as early as six, with many debuting before turning 15. “There seems to be little thought about protecting these kids from industry pressures,” said Lee Jong-im, a lecturer at Seoul National University of Science & Technology. She pointed out that stricter regulations, like those used by the BBC, are necessary to safeguard underage participants.
Despite the backlash, the show’s producers are standing their ground. Co-CEO Hwang In-young defended the program, saying all contestants applied voluntarily with parental consent. “We spent a year developing this show, believing people would be touched by the contestants’ passion,” she said, even breaking down in tears during the press conference. The team has promised some re-edits but hasn’t confirmed any major changes.
With public pressure mounting, MBN is now reviewing its decision to air Under 15 as scheduled on March 31. No official cancellation has been announced, but many are watching closely to see if the network will take action. Whether the show airs or not, this controversy has sparked a much bigger conversation about the treatment of young idols in the Kpop industry.
