Upcoming K-pop survival show ‘Under15' faces familiar backlash for featuring child contestants
The upcoming K-pop audition program 'Under15,' set to premiere on March 31, is under fire for featuring contestants as young as eight, prompting concerns over the sexualization and commodification of minors.
Industry insiders say the controversy underscores a longstanding issue in the entertainment scene, highlighting the urgent need for improved public perception and the adoption of clearer guidelines on casting children and adolescents in nationally broadcast reality shows.
The survival show, which aims to form a new girl group with an average debut age of under 15, introduced 59 female participants in promotional materials released earlier this month. The contestants, all girls younger than 16, appeared wearing heavy makeup and styled in mature clothing, leading to a public outcry on social media over the portrayal of girls in a context some interpreted as inappropriate and exploitative.
Recruiting child idol hopefuls is nothing new in the K-pop industry. According to a local entertainment company official, most agencies set the upper age limit for new trainees at 15.
'Nowadays, future K-pop stars begin training as early as age six. The oldest we usually accept as trainees is 15, unless the candidate is exceptionally talented — whether in singing, dancing or even just having standout visuals,' the official said. 'These days, elementary school graduation ceremonies have become one of the most popular places for casting trainees.'
A poster released on March 12 drew particular criticism for using product label-like graphics to describe the girls with phrases such as 'bright and bubbly' and 'luxury and unique.' Critics accused the show's producers of treating children as marketable products, reinforcing harmful beauty standards and objectification at an early age.
Lee Jong-im, a lecturer at Seoul National University of Science & Technology's Graduate School of Public Policy and Information Technology, criticized the imagery and its implications.
'The barcode-style graphic was a major problem. The production team said it was meant to resemble a student ID, but that explanation doesn't make sense,' Lee said. 'The video shows the girls receiving makeup, and the close-up shots of their eyes could evoke a feeling of fetishization. It reflects a lack of thoughtful consideration during the promotion process.'
Lee also pointed out the absence of proper safeguards when casting participants of such a young age, adding that producers seemed to emphasize youth over artistic direction or care.
'There appears to have been no serious deliberation about how to shape the show's creative direction. When it comes to participants under the age of 15, there should be better protection measures,' she said.
Citing international standards, Lee noted that the BBC, for example, prohibits its producers from following underage participants on social media and only allows contact through parents. 'Such guidelines are necessary to protect children from unnecessary exposure and inappropriate relationships with producers,' she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Thai K-pop idol Natty opens up on identity and ambition as Kiss of Life returns with ‘224'
Girl group to thank fans with special encore gigs in Seoul next month Natty of Kiss of Life, one of the most prominent Thai idols in the K-pop scene today, said she hopes to be a source of inspiration for aspiring artists in her home country and beyond. 'As a Thai artist in Korea, this means a lot to me,' said Natty during a media showcase for her group's new EP '224' held in Seoul on Monday. 'Just like the Thai artists who came before me, I want to become a positive influence on people in Thailand and international trainees who dream of becoming K-pop idols. That's why I'm working hard to grow as an artist.' Thailand has long served as a key gateway for Southeast Asian talent entering K-pop, dating back to Nichkhun of 2PM, who debuted in 2008. Since then, artists like BamBam of GOT7, Ten of NCT and Minnie of I-dle have followed suit — though none have reached the global popularity of Blackpink's Lisa. K-pop is also massively popular in Thailand, where it has become one of the mainstream cultural genres. T-pop, or Thai pop, has also drawn significantly from K-pop in its visuals, choreography and production style. Natty pointed out that the two genres, nevertheless, have differences, especially in their sound. 'What makes T-pop unique, I think, is the use of traditional Thai instruments. That's the charm that really sets T-pop apart,' she said. A different kind of summer: Kiss of Life drops '224' Kiss of Life's fourth EP '224' marks a shift from the group's previous hit 'Sticky,' presenting a completely different flavor of summer music. The new title track 'Lips Hips Kiss' captures the intense and sensual emotions of a magnetic attraction, wrapped in early 2000s R&B and hip-hop vibes. Its sleek melody and bold lyrics highlight the group's energy. 'Compared to the refreshing vibe of 'Sticky,' this song brings out a stickier, hotter feeling,' Natty said. 'I hope people enjoy this different side of us.' Belle said the group faced a pleasant dilemma in choosing the lead single. 'All our members are capable of handling a wide range of genres, so we had so many good options,' she said. 'It was a happy kind of struggle deciding which one to go with.' 'We wanted to surprise people with a summer song that no one expected,' added Julie. 'It's a new challenge, but we chose this track because we're confident in our skills and in the genre.' Following the release of '224,' Kiss of Life is gearing up for an encore concert to wrap up their first world tour. The group began their tour in October in Seoul and traveled through North America, Europe and Asia, finishing in Osaka in May. Now, they are set to take the stage again at Seoul's Jangchung Arena on July 19 and 20. 'Our first world tour was a huge milestone, especially just one year into our debut,' Belle said. 'It was a precious and meaningful experience, and we knew we had to prepare an encore performance to return the love we received from our fans, the Kissys," Belle continued, referring to Kiss of Life's fandom.
Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Where do Korean celebrities stand in politics?
In politically charged Korea, celebrities walk tightrope of neutrality Following South Korea's presidential election on June 3, a seemingly innocuous act by one of the nation's most celebrated actresses ignited a storm. Actress Song Hye-kyo pressed 'like' on now President-elect Lee Jae-myung's then-election campaign video on his HR policy. The simple gesture came under fire, drawing fierce backlash from those accusing her of breaking an unspoken rule: Celebrities in South Korea must remain politically neutral — or even near-total political abstinence. The controversy underscores a long-standing tension in Korean pop culture, where public figures in the fields of entertainment and culture are expected to suppress even the slightest hint of political affiliation. During the June election, numerous celebrities, from K-pop idols to comedians, were compelled to apologize or explain their actions for reasons as mundane as wearing red or blue, the symbolic colors of the rival People Power Party and Democratic Party of Korea, respectively. In one widely discussed case, League of Legends esports team Gen.G abstained from their usual 'V for victory' gesture after setting a historic win streak, fearing it could be mistaken as a political statement for candidate No. 2, Kim Moon-soo. Similarly, popular figures like Karina of aespa, entertainer Hong Jin-kyung and rapper Beenzino faced criticism for wearing red clothing, widely associated with Kim's People Power Party during the campaign period. Others, like comedian Park Sung-kwang and actress Ahn So-hee, were accused of showing political bias simply by posting images with blue rooftops or red roses. This hyper-vigilant policing of neutrality has left many wondering: Why are Korean celebrities held to such extreme standards? Idol as 'cultural blank slate' 'Korean celebrities, particularly idols, are not merely entertainers. They are seen as projections of fan ideals — cultural blank slates,' said cultural critic Kim Heon-sik. 'This makes any personal expression — political or otherwise — subject to public interpretation and judgment.' The term "idol" in Korea has come to denote more than admiration. As The Independent put it, idols are expected to embody fan fantasies while remaining void of personal beliefs that may challenge that image. In this framework, political neutrality is not just preferred, it is mandatory. 'Fans don't see idols as individuals with agency. They are shaped, controlled and even owned — emotionally — by their followers. A 'like' on a campaign post can be perceived as betrayal if it's not in line with what the fan thinks,' Kim added. This leads to K-pop idols often avoiding using primary colors, hand gestures or even certain numbers during election periods. Some go so far as to post black-and-white photos to preempt controversy, a trend that was lauded as 'socially aware' during the most recent campaign. South Korea's hypersensitivity to political expression has deep historical roots. As a country marked by ideological division and rapid democratic transition, political affiliations have long carried career-altering consequences. Even now, expressing support for one party or another can result in social ostracism, economic repercussions or online attacks. Bae Sang-hoon, a sociology professor at Chungbuk University, explained, 'South Korea's political environment is emotionally charged, and people project these tensions onto public figures.' "The issue is compounded by the country's deepening culture of fan attachment. The emotional investment that fans place in idols, often described as 'parasocial relationships,' can blur the lines between admiration and control. That emotional ownership has only intensified as fans use celebrities as a proxy to process their own social anxieties," Bae added. Some observers suggest that intense attachment to celebrities serves, in part, as an emotional coping mechanism. 'In a highly competitive society, where people feel disconnected and under pressure, celebrities serve as emotional anchors,' Bae added. 'This can turn into a toxic dynamic when fans begin to expect moral purity and political conformity from people who are essentially strangers.' Calls are growing for a more mature fan culture — one that allows room for artists to engage as citizens without fear of professional ruin. But such a change will require a fundamental reevaluation of the role celebrities play in society and the emotional needs they are often expected to fulfill. 'If we want to continue celebrating the rise of K-pop and Korean soft power, we must also ask whether we are granting our stars the same freedoms we expect in a democratic society," said a 31-year-old surnamed Kim who is active in fandom activities.
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Korea Herald
QWER paves its own path
Band christens own music as 'Q-pop,' emphasizing unique qualities With its third mini album 'In a Million Noises, I'll Be Your Harmony,' QWER showcased an evolved musicality as well as the growth the group has achieved. Since its debut in October 2023, QWER has quickly risen to become one of K-pop's representative all-female bands, earning enthusiastic responses from fans at various festivals and live shows. 'This album completes the first page of QWER's story and promises moments that will remain unchanged forward,' said bassist Magenta. The album includes six tracks: the main song 'Dear,' along with 'Be Happy,' '#QWER,' 'Overdrive,' 'D-Day' and 'Yours Sincerely.' Notably, the members participated directly in the songwriting and composition for all the tracks, further shaping the group's musical identity. Drummer Chodan shared, 'We wrote lyrics while traveling on concert tours and recorded between concert schedules. It was tough, but it left us with a strong sense of pride.' The Korean title of the track 'Dear' is 'Holding Back Tears,' and it conveys the determination to bravely carry on despite overwhelming sadness. 'The instrumentation is powerful and energetic, but it carries a deeply emotional story within. I think this track perfectly fits the summer vibe,' explained Chodan. Magenta stressed that the instrumentation of the new songs was more difficult than before, and they practiced endlessly to the point where her fingerprints were worn down — a testament to QWER's tireless dedication. The music video centers on themes of tears and rain, featuring emotional acting and intense performances. 'There's a scene where I cry in the rain, so I practiced crying a lot. It was my first time acting, so I was really nervous, but the director gave detailed direction, which helped me a lot,' recalled vocalist Siyeon. Even before the band's debut, QWER faced popular doubts due to the individual members' unconventional backgrounds on livestreaming platform Twitch and TikTok. However, with a distinct musical identity and continued success on the music charts, QWER has been collecting invitations to major music festivals. 'We're so grateful for all the love. Last year, we even attended year-end music award shows. The growth we made together truly defines who we are,' said Chodan. Guitarist Hina expressed her ambition to define QWER's unique musical identity as 'Q-pop,' saying, 'We hope our sound becomes so distinct that when people hear it, they immediately know it's a QWER song.'
