Producer of 'Under Nineteen', Seo Hye-jin, Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Forced Overseas Activities for Minors

Seo Hye-jin, the producer of the idol audition program 'Under Nineteen,' which was canceled due to controversy over child sexualization, has been sued.

According to a report by Sports Kyunghyang on the 16th, minor participants A and B, who were selected for the final debut team, filed for an injunction to suspend the exclusive contract with Cre8er Entertainment, the company run by Seo Hye-jin, at the Western Seoul District Court.

The plaintiffs allege that after the broadcast was canceled, Seo Hye-jin used coercive language, such as demanding they state what promises were broken and asserting she wouldn't let them go easily, in an attempt to maintain an unfair contractual relationship.

Furthermore, they claim that she pressured them into long-term overseas activities despite the domestic broadcast's cancellation, infringing on their right to education and causing emotional distress.

'Under Nineteen' aimed to discover K-pop idols through a global audition for girls under 15. However, it faced criticism for demanding excessive adult styling from minor participants in its teaser content, leading to the cancellation of its premiere and subsequent broadcast in Japan.

Seo Hye-jin previously gained recognition for producing various idol selection shows, including 'Idol School.' However, 'Idol School' itself was embroiled in a vote-rigging scandal. The current 'Under Nineteen' controversy has amplified criticism regarding her program production methods.