The controversial audition program Under Fifteen, which faced intense criticism over allegations of child sexualization and had its domestic broadcast canceled, has reportedly resurfaced online under a different title.
According to reports, production company Crea Studio uploaded the program to a paid membership section of its YouTube channel “Trot King” on June 11. The series is now being distributed under the title Star Is Born, with all eight episodes reportedly available to paying members of the channel. Access is restricted to subscribers enrolled in the channel’s membership program.
Under Fifteen was designed as a K-pop idol audition program featuring girls aged 15 and younger. However, shortly after promotional materials were released in 2025, the show became the subject of widespread criticism. Opponents argued that the styling of contestants including makeup, stage outfits, and promotional imagery contributed to the sexualization of minors.
Concerns were further amplified by marketing materials that included barcode-themed designs and birth-year information, which critics argued objectified underage participants. Following growing public backlash, 129 civic organizations called for the show’s cancellation. As a result, the broadcaster MBN Official Website ultimately withdrew the program from its schedule before it aired domestically.
After the Korean broadcast was canceled, Crea Studio attempted to relaunch the project under the new title Star Is Born. The company reportedly sought to air the show through KBS Japan in August 2025. However, critics accused the producers of trying to circumvent the domestic controversy by distributing the content overseas.
KBS Japan later canceled plans to broadcast the series. The show eventually premiered in Thailand through TrueVisions, one of the country’s largest cable television networks. Even then, controversy continued, with some parents of participants reportedly objecting to the overseas broadcast and claiming they had not consented to the program being aired in that market.
The latest controversy centers on the fact that the content is now being distributed through a paid YouTube membership system rather than a traditional broadcast platform. Critics argue that making the program available through a subscription-based online channel allows it to bypass many of the oversight mechanisms associated with television broadcasting and content review. The fact that viewers must pay a monthly membership fee to access the episodes has also drawn criticism, with opponents arguing that a program previously accused of contributing to the sexualization of minors is now being repackaged as a commercial product.
Attorney Noh Jong-eon commented on the issue, arguing that distributing content previously criticized by broadcasting review systems through a paid online platform could undermine the purpose of existing content regulation frameworks. He also questioned whether the decision aligns with the producers’ earlier statements emphasizing participant protection and program restructuring following the controversy.
The case has reignited broader discussions about the regulation of online media platforms, the protection of minors in entertainment programs, and whether current oversight mechanisms are sufficient in the age of digital content distribution.
Sources: Daum | 스포츠경향
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