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Korea Herald
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
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.
Korea Herald
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
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.
Korea Herald
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Academics call for societal shift in attitudes toward K-pop singers' mental health
Yale professor says Korean idols face harsher scrutiny than other stars, citing Suga's DUI case Local and international K-pop academics are urging South Korean society to reassess its approach to the mental health of celebrities who often endure intense scrutiny and harsh judgment. They argue that the unrealistic moral and professional standards imposed on public figures make it difficult for them to seek help without facing severe backlash. This call for change follows the recent deaths of actress Kim Sae-ron in February and R&B singer Wheesung on Monday. Both had faced intense public criticism and ostracization, which reportedly contributed to their distress and struggles with depression. Lee Jong-im, a lecturer at Seoul National University of Science & Technology's Graduate School of Public Policy and Information Technology, said that South Korean society often views celebrities' mistakes as irredeemable. 'There is a prevailing belief that public figures must be perfect in every aspect just because they are famous, which is unrealistic. Celebrities start their careers young and are still learning about the world. The expectation that they must always behave professionally is problematic,' Lee said, Tuesday. 'The inability to openly discuss mental health issues further exacerbates the problem.' Kim, once a rising actress, saw her career unravel after a drunk-driving incident in 2022. Although she faced legal consequences, the relentless online harassment overshadowed her attempts at redemption, reportedly taking a significant toll on her mental health. Similarly, Wheesung, a pioneering figure in Korean R&B, struggled with allegations of drug abuse that led to public disgrace. His past use of propofol, for which he received a suspended sentence in 2021, became a lasting stigma that distanced him from the industry and fans. The singer, whose cause of death has yet to be confirmed, had previously spoken about suffering from depression and panic disorder in 2020, exacerbated by personal hardships, including the loss of his father in 2018. Lee also pointed out that the pressure to maintain an idealized image on social media, coupled with constant public scrutiny, reinforces the perfectionism expected of celebrities. 'Media coverage and hate comments on social media work together in ways that can drive celebrities to the breaking point,' Lee added. 'Since addressing this issue relies on users' media literacy, awareness and ethical responsibility, a clear solution has yet to emerge.' Grace Kao, a sociology professor at Yale University, highlighted the high levels of stress, anxiety and depression experienced by South Korean celebrities compared to their counterparts elsewhere. 'Idols are under additional duress as they are supposed to be perfect not just in terms of their appearance, but also in terms of their behavior,' Kao told The Korea Herald, Wednesday. 'When an idol violates these expectations, the Korean public can be especially harsh. For instance, compare how international versus Korean fans responded to Suga's DUI.'
