The new audition variety show called "Under Fifteen" is generating controversy even before airing. The production team of MBN's new show mentioned that they are deeply saddened by various controversies surrounding the show, impacting both the young participants and their guardians. Participants of "Under Fifteen" are working diligently and earnestly to fulfill their dreams of becoming leading K-pop idols worldwide, as stated by the production team. They emphasized that the young participants, along with international contestants, have been putting in their best efforts since the global auditions last summer. Teaser videos related to the main show have been uploaded on the official "Crea Studio" YouTube channel to showcase the participants' passion and the production team's sincerity. The production team hopes viewers will recognize the dedication of the young participants and kindly assess the videos firsthand.
The program, titled "K-pop Generation Shift Audition for Under Fifteen," only accepted applications from girls aged 15 and older. Created by PD Seo Hyejin, known for producing "Miss Trot" and "Mr. Trot," the program gained attention for focusing on supporting and participating in the dreams of the contestants. However, controversy arose after the release of the teaser, as it was revealed that middle school and younger students were being gathered to compete for a girl group debut, facing media exposure and evaluation. According to the production team, a total of 59 participants were selected worldwide under the age of 15, regardless of race, nationality, or genre. The teaser videos displayed the age of the applicants, their performances in revealing outfits, and included a barcode design alongside the applicants' profiles on social media, leading to accusations of sexualizing minors.
As the controversy escalated, the broadcasting company MBN also responded. They acknowledged the concerns from various sectors of society regarding the new program "Under Fifteen" and announced a comprehensive review of the program's details and potential broadcast. In response to MBN's statement, the "Under Fifteen" team defended their participants, emphasizing that all contestants willingly participated with the consent of their guardians. They explained that strict filming regulations were followed to protect the underage contestants during filming. The production team clarified that the decision on outfits and styling was made in active consultation with the participants' guardians, ensuring a maximum of 35 hours of rehearsal per week with pick-ups and constant care provided by guardians and the production team.