Controversial 'Under Fifteen' Show Finds New Home on KBS Japan

The show 'Under Fifteen', previously canceled by MBN due to child exploitation concerns, has found a new platform with KBS Japan. This move marks a significant decision by KBS, a public broadcaster, to air a program that has faced such controversy.

According to Ten Asia's investigation, 'Under Fifteen' will air on KBS Japan on November 11 at 4:50 PM. In response to the backlash, the program has been renamed from 'Under Fifteen' to 'Star is Born'.

KBS Japan is a subsidiary established by KBS to broadcast and distribute Korean content in Japan. The headquarters is located in Tokyo, with KBS as the majority shareholder.

Recently, KBS Japan has been promoting the program's airing, releasing teaser ads on their YouTube channel to encourage Japanese viewers to tune in.

'Under Fifteen' is a global K-pop audition program that recruited female participants under the age of 15 from around the world. However, the show faced criticism from the teaser stage, with concerns over minors wearing revealing outfits and the use of barcode profiles displaying birth years, which were seen as promoting child exploitation.

In March, the production team held a press conference claiming the show had passed a pre-screening by the Korea Communications Standards Commission, which was later revealed to be false, escalating the controversy. As a result, 129 civic organizations called for the show's cancellation, leading MBN to officially cancel its airing.

Following the cancellation, 'Under Fifteen' sought other broadcasters to air the program since April. Ultimately, KBS accepted the proposal, and the show will premiere in Japan on November 11.

Reported by Ryu Yeji, Ten Asia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr