Controversial K-Pop Show ‘Under Fifteen’ Canceled in Japan Following Korea Backlash

By JunSeok, Kim

Aug 11, 2025

Controversial K-Pop Show ‘Under Fifteen’ Canceled in Japan Following Korea Backlash



The K-pop contest program 'Under Fifteen', which was embroiled in the controversy over the commercialization of children's sex, was eventually canceled in Japan after Korea.

KBS recently canceled KBS Japan's programming of 'A Star Is Born'" he said.

Starting this month, KBS Japan planned to introduce 'Underpiptin', which was canceled in Korea, under the new title of 'A Star Is Born'.




However, as the controversy over the program's planning intention and production process created negative public opinion in Japan, it seems that the program was withdrawn.

'Under Fifteen' is a global K-pop aspiring contest program that promotes the commercialization of children's sex by using a production that inserts a barcode format into the profile of female participants under 15" was criticized.

The program was originally scheduled to be broadcast on MBN in March, but the program was canceled due to the spread of controversy. Production company Crea Studios holds an emergency production briefing session and "There is no problem with the broadcast." expressed its position, but in the end, the broadcast was canceled in both Korea and Japan, and in fact, it was discarded.






narusi@sportschosun.com