During an emergency press conference, the CEO of CReA Studio, Hwang In Young, became emotional while addressing concerns surrounding the controversy of their show 'UNDER 15'. The show has been criticized for potentially sexualizing children even before its airing, causing distress to the contestants and staff. The event involved CEO Seo Hye Jin and Producer Yong Seok In and featured a preview of the first episode to challenge the negative perceptions created by the teasers.

Hwang clarified that the aim of the show was to provide opportunities for talented individuals under 15 years old in the K-pop industry. She stressed that 'UNDER 15' was not initially planned as a gender-specific competition but ended up focusing on girls due to the high number of talented female participants. The CEO emphasized that the show aimed to be a platform for young contestants to receive training and grow as artists, rather than just a competition to debut.

Producer Yong detailed how the feedback on the show was tailored to be more encouraging for the younger participants compared to other audition programs. The team's intentions were misconstrued when a teaser featuring contestants in heavy makeup and revealing outfits was released, giving rise to calls for the show's cancellation. Both CEOs expressed regret that certain aspects of the show had led to misunderstandings, including the controversial barcode-like graphics in contestant profiles, which were removed following public backlash.

Despite the challenges faced, the production team assured that the contestants and their parents were informed about the nature of reality TV and were part of the show with hopes of positivity. CEO Hwang expressed her frustration at the negative portrayal of the program, emphasizing that the well-being of the children was a top priority for the team. The emotional response of the team during the conference showcased their dedication to supporting the young talents and maintaining the integrity of the show amidst the controversy.