"Women, children, and teenagers are not commodities. Our society must protect them." (Korean Association for Democratic Media)
Civic organizations have raised concerns over MBN's upcoming audition program 'UNDER15.'
On March 26, a coalition of 128 civil society groups, including organizations advocating for women's rights, media ethics, youth protection, education, culture, human rights, and labor rights, held a joint press conference in front of MBN’s headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.
The groups demanded that CreA Studio, the show's production company, "acknowledge responsibility for the exploitation of young girls" and "immediately halt all promotional activities and discard the recorded episodes." They also called on the Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to "establish clear regulations for audition and entertainment content, as well as implement institutional measures to prevent the sexualization and human rights violations of minors."
Earlier, the production team held an emergency briefing on March 25, tearfully defending the program. On the same day, the Youth Media Human Rights Network staged a protest against the show’s broadcast, holding picket signs in opposition.
The production team strongly denied allegations of sexualizing minors, arguing that the controversy was unfair. They even released footage from the show in an attempt to clarify their stance, but their explanations failed to sway public opinion.
Originally set to premiere on March 31, 'UNDER15' has now been indefinitely postponed amid growing backlash over accusations of child sexualization and alleged deception by the production company.
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