PD Receives Massive Backflash Over 'Under 15' K-pop Auditions: ‘This Is Gross'

Seoul, June 10, 2024 - Seo Hye Jin, renowned for her work on hit shows like "Mr. Trot," finds herself embroiled in controversy once again as her latest project, an under-15 K-pop audition program, draws intense backlash from fans.

Seo Hye Jin's track record in the Korean entertainment industry is formidable, having orchestrated the success of "Mr. Trot," which catapulted Lim Young Woong to stardom.

However, her recent announcement regarding the new audition program has divided opinions among K-pop enthusiasts.

The program, tentatively titled "Under 15," aims to discover talents among children aged 3 to 15 from over 70 countries, with the goal of forming a 5th-generation vocal girl group for global promotion.

Seo Hye Jin defended the initiative, stating that the age range reflects the current trend in K-pop, with viewer preferences shifting towards younger singers.

In a statement to Sports Seoul, Seo remarked, "Recently, there has been a clear trend in viewer votes favoring younger singers. We put together Under 15, thinking it reflects the current K-Pop trend."

She cited the success of teenage singers in other programs as evidence of this shift in preference.

However, this rationale has not sat well with many K-pop fans, who argue that success in the industry is not solely determined by age but by factors such as directing, song quality, and member charisma.

Critics accuse Seo Hye Jin of misinterpreting the success of groups like NewJeans, whose popularity stemmed from factors beyond their youth.

Comments from online forums reflect the discontent among fans, with many expressing concerns about the exploitation of young talent and the misguided focus on age rather than artistic merit.

Some fear that Seo's program may result in the premature debut of young artists who may not be ready for the pressures of the industry.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE NETIZENS' REACTIONS:

• "Under 15...? Creepy AF. Stop doing business using young children. And it's not the fact that NewJeans members are young that makes them popular. Their concept and music were a breath of fresh air."
• "This woman has no idea how K-Pop works, huh? It's not the age that attracted fans to NewJeans."
• "I wonder if she's trying to debut the young trot singers as a girl group. I can already imagine the route that's going to take..."
• "But the members' age range isn't what made NewJeans big. It's the directing, songs, and the members' charms. Age has nothing to do with it... So focusing on how young a girl group has to be is the creepiest. The program is pushing the line."
• "Don't push babies into debuting so young..."

KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Cassidy Jones.