Position锛�Home > international > Content

Controversy over Korean underage girl talent show, questioni

Date锛�2025-03-18 18:32Editer锛歛dminRead锛�锛�

Lower combinations.
However, the images of the children in the program trailer sparked public anger. Children over 8 years old are wearing cropped short T-shirts and mini skirts, dancing with adult makeup, which has been accused of having a tendency towards pedophilia. At the same time, the publicly available personal resume photos are also engraved with barcodes, which further enhances the feeling of "commodification". South Korean netizens have left comments criticizing, 'What is it doing to make children wear makeup and clothes like adults? Let children grow up like children!' Overseas netizens' reactions are equally strong, with constant accusations such as' Does South Korea not protect children? 'and' TV programs abuse children '. “K-POP  The comment that "culture seems to be heading in the wrong direction" has also resonated with many people, and even overseas netizens have initiated the hashtag "boycott Under15".
Faced with public opinion pressure, 銆奤NDER15銆� The comment board on the official social media channel has been closed, but this move is considered a "cover up" and cannot truly calm public opinion. At present, whether the program can premiere as scheduled on the 31st and the follow-up actions of the production team are highly anticipated.
JYP Accused of 'Labor Exploitation of Minors'
Prior to the controversy surrounding 'Under15', JYP Entertainment, a large South Korean entertainment agency, was also sued in the United States for issues such as' labor exploitation of minors' and 'mental and physical abuse'. According to the South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, JYP  Keira, an American member of the girl group VCHA, filed a lawsuit against JYP USA in a Los Angeles court in December last year.
17-year-old Kaila claimed in the indictment that she was forced to perform despite suffering injuries such as torn shoulder tendons due to brutal rehearsals without proper medical treatment. She also mentioned that her weekly salary is only $500, far below the minimum wage level in California, but she works 12 hours a day and her private life is also under control, even being monitored by cameras. Kaila revealed that some members of the group attempted suicide, but the agency did not take appropriate measures, resulting in a deterioration of their mental health and even self harm.
After the lawsuit, Keira expressed her intention to withdraw from the group and terminate her contract with JYP Entertainment through social media. She expressed concern about truly loving and cherishing her friends (members), and believed that continuing to stay at JYP Entertainment would not make her the artist she hoped for. Kaila demands compensation for the pain suffered and guarantees to be able to act as an independent artist in the future. Kaila's lawyer emphasized that recognizing and protecting Kaila's rights is the core of this incident.
Who will protect underage artists?
As the debut age of Korean idol members continues to decrease, more and more teenagers start their trainee life at the age of twelve, thirteen, or even younger, which makes it difficult for them to receive normal campus education. For example, Li Huiren, born in 2008, debuted as a member of NJZ (formerly NewJeans) in 2022 at the age of only 14; Zhang Yuanying, who is 20 years old this year, started working as a trainee at the age of 11 and debuted after participating in a talent show at the age of 14.
Korean media outlet OSEN pointed out that without special protection measures, exposing minors whose values have not yet been fully formed to a fiercely competitive public talent selection environment,