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Canceled K-pop teen audition show ‘UNDER15’ loses Japan broadcast plan

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By Xportsnews
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MBN's 'UNDER15' was originally scheduled to premiere on March 31. About five months later, plans emerged for the show to air on KBS Japan, but with the latest decision to cancel its programming, the broadcast has been blocked once again. Korea Times graphic

MBN's "UNDER15" was originally scheduled to premiere on March 31. About five months later, plans emerged for the show to air on KBS Japan, but with the latest decision to cancel its programming, the broadcast has been blocked once again. Korea Times graphic

"UNDER15," a controversial K-pop audition program for girls aged 15 and under that was canceled in Korea over concerns of sexualizing minors, has faced another setback after plans to air it in Japan under a new title fell through.

On Saturday, KBS told Xportsnews, "We considered the programming request through internal and external reviews and multiple consultations, but ultimately decided not to proceed with channel scheduling in light of the serious public opinion both domestically and internationally."

The broadcaster added, "KBS Japan is a separate entity in which KBS Media, a KBS subsidiary, is the largest shareholder, and KBS Japan independently holds its own programming rights."

Recently, the official KBS Japan YouTube channel posted a video titled "KBS World 2025 August recommendations." The short teaser introduced an audition program for the formation of a fifth-generation girl group with contestants aged 15 or younger, revealing that the show previously known as "UNDER15" had been renamed "Star is Born."

"UNDER15" was initially set to premiere on March 31 on MBN but came under scrutiny for potentially sexualizing minors after contestant profiles and teasers were released. The controversy prompted MBN to announce it would review the program’s details and broadcasting decision in its entirety.

On March 28, just three days before the scheduled premiere, production company Crea Studio said, "We decided that protecting the contestants and reorganizing is the best course of action. MBN will not broadcast the show. We will ensure the essence of the program and the sincerity of the contestants are not damaged."

About five months later, plans emerged for the show to air on KBS Japan, but with the latest decision to cancel its programming, the broadcast has been blocked once again.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.