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K-pop Audition Show Slammed for Having Female Contestants as Young as 8
The Straits Times
|March 22, 2025
A new K-pop competition in South Korea has come under fire.
Broadcaster MBN's upcoming idol production show, Under 15, featuring only girls born in 2009 or after, has been criticized by fans around the world for sexualizing minors. Of the 59 contestants, the oldest were born in 2009 and the youngest in 2016.
The competition will whittle down its large slate of contestants so just a small number will debut as an idol group. Under 15 is scheduled to premiere on March 31.
Controversy surrounding the show, billed as a "K-pop prodigy discovery initiative," first arose when a teaser was released on YouTube on March 12. It featured contestants—including one aged eight—getting their makeup done and posing in midriff-baring tops and short skirts.
The contestants hail from countries including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
According to South Korean news outlet
Dit verhaal komt uit de March 22, 2025-editie van The Straits Times.
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