Under Fifteen CEO in Hot Water Over Disturbing Claims

The CEO of CREA Studio, Seo Hye Jin, is at the center of an explosive controversy! After steering the ill-fated reality series Under Fifteen, which was condemned for sexualizing minors, she now faces serious allegations from contestants who claim they were mistreated.

Controversial Show Faces Legal Action

On September 15, 2025, two contestants, identified as A and B, escalated their battle against CREA Entertainment by filing an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts. This move came after the show’s plans for debuting a girl group fell apart amid public outrage and bans in both Korea and Japan.

The Disastrous Fallout of Under Fifteen

Initially slated to premiere on March 31, the project began to crumble as critics railed against its premise: featuring girls under 15 in heavily stylized performances resembling adult K-pop acts. The situation reached a boiling point when MBN buckled under pressure and canceled the airing just days before launch.

Seo’s Desperate Attempts to Revive the Show

In a bid to salvage her reputation, Seo rebranded the show for a Japanese audience, planning to air it as A Star is Born – Girls Chasing Dreams on KBS Japan. However, this too faced backlash and was ultimately scrapped.

Accusations of Emotional Abuse Surface

A and B allege that after the show's cancellation, Seo pressured them to continue their participation in a damaging dormitory training program, despite their wishes to withdraw. Her quote, "I won’t let you go easily," has raised alarms about her coercive tactics.

Prioritizing Profit Over Participants' Welfare?

Even following the show's collapse in Korea and Japan, Seo allegedly announced plans to push forward with broadcasts in Thailand and Southeast Asia, forcing contestants into international obligations that jeopardize their education. A's and B's legal representative stated that Seo's focus is on commercial success, not the well-being of these young girls. This raises serious ethical concerns, paralleling violations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates prioritizing children’s interests above all else.

A Call for Accountability

As the storm surrounding Under Fifteen continues to brew, the call for accountability grows louder. The disturbing claims against Seo Hye Jin highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations in the entertainment industry to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.