‘Reply 1988’ Star Kim Seol Joins ‘Under Fifteen’ — MBN Moves Forward Amid Child Sexualization Issues

On March 22, the producers of Under Fifteen released an official statement addressing concerns regarding their upcoming program:

“All participants are valuable young talents who have applied for the show with full understanding and consent, along with the approval of their guardians. The production team has strictly adhered to guidelines to protect underage participants during filming.”

In their statement, they elaborated that “Costumes and styling were determined after active discussions between the staff and the participants’ guardians. Practice sessions throughout the filming period were capped at 35 hours, ensuring that both parents and the production team managed transportation and on-site care.”

The production team expressed their disappointment regarding the backlash, noting:

“Even before the first episode has aired, these various controversies have caused great distress and emotional harm to the young participants and their families. We find this deeply unfortunate.”

Additionally, they emphasized their commitment to supporting young dreams, stating: “Under Fifteen” is a program committed to nurturing the aspirations of its participants. Given that many contestants have devoted over six months of preparation, we ardently hope their efforts are not disregarded. Moving forward, we will take greater care during production to avoid further misunderstandings.”

As revealed earlier, Under Fifteen is designed to discover the next wave of K-pop talent among individuals under 15 years old. Scheduled for premiere on March 31, this season features 59 contestants from over 70 nations. This initiative has piqued interest due to the inclusion of child actress Kim Seol, renowned for her role as Jin-joo in the beloved 2015 drama Reply 1988.

However, following the release of promotional teasers, significant controversy ensued, with accusations regarding the potential sexualization of young contestants. Concerns about outfits, appearances, and the overall portrayal of minors were prominently voiced by the audience.

In light of these issues, MBN issued a statement on March 21 responding to public concerns:

“We take the concerns raised by the public and experts from all sectors of society very seriously. We are currently reviewing all aspects of the program, including its detailed content and potential broadcast plans. We will issue an official statement from the network soon.”

Despite acknowledging the criticism, the production team has continued to release new promotional material, affirming their intent to proceed with the show, which has been met with escalating scrutiny.

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