Isn't it that kind of program..Under Fifteen Explains Tears Over Controversy Over Sex Commercialization of Children (Roundup)
Mar 25, 2025
|
On the afternoon of the 25th, MBN held an emergency production briefing session for the entertainment program Under Fifteen at a hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. CEO Seo Hye-jin of Crea Studios, CEO Hwang In-young, and producer Yong Seok-in attended the event. Producer Lee Kuk-yong, who was originally scheduled to attend, was absent due to health reasons.
'Underpiptin' is an entertainment program that announced its first broadcast on the 31st, and it is the first generational audition to discover K-pop prodigies under the age of 15 in the world. It tells the story of 59 prodigies selected through global preliminary examinations over six months, regardless of race, nationality, and genre, among girls under the age of 15 in more than 70 countries around the world. However, the broadcast has been completely reviewed as a number of teenagers under the age of 15 appear, and four 9-year-old girl participants appear.
On this day, Crea Studios released part of the first meeting to reporters, explaining the controversy. The part released by Crea Studio was a preliminary round of participants, featuring teenagers under the age of 15 appearing to perform dances and songs and getting accepted and rejected. In response, Hwang said, "There are various controversies and suspicions raised, and I am very sorry and sorry for causing concern.'"There are rewarding moments while making the program, but they are also engulfed in unexpected controversies." This time, as unexpected suspicions spread as if they were true, not only the production company but also the participants, masters, and staff who participated in the program were greatly hurt by their honor. I wondered how to put an end to this unnecessary controversy" he said.
Underpiptin' is suspected of sexizing children by putting teenagers under the age of 15 into audition competition and imitating adult idols' songs and dances at the same time. In response, CEO Hwang In-young said, `Some people say that having an age limit itself is a problem, and if you ask if there were any concerns, we were also worried about negative public opinion or unintended stories. Friends of the Alpha generation, born in the 21st generation, wanted to open the door to opportunities for them as they live in a generation where the culture of K-pop is the global standard"Recently, combined with various external factors, they expressed concern about our title, and there were controversies and suspicions that "Weren't you aiming for it?" was intended."I'd like to say that it's not at all," he stressed.
|
|
|
Questions continued about whether it would be broadcasted or not. Producer Yong Seok-in said "Kids are working hard every moment without even thinking about the fact that they can't be broadcasted, and they are practicing somewhere even at this moment." Producer Seo Hye-jin also said, `Two weeks ago, I already saw it in the MBN review team, planning room, and organization team, and I sent the complete copy to the Korea Communications Commission and Korea Communications Commission. Since they reviewed that there was no problem internally, they said in advance that they would publish it on YouTube to clear the controversy by summarizing it in this compilation. MBN is just a platform" he said.
Finally, Seo Hye-jin, co-CEO Hwang In-young, and producer Yong Seok-in shed tears and appealed for authenticity. CEO Hwang said "We're not that kind of program, but why is it being talked about like that?He shed tears, and CEO Seo Hye-jin also said, `I don't think they made sex exploitation using children"I couldn't hold back my tears.
lunamoon@sportschosun.com
