South Korean actress Ha Young (Ahn Ha-young) apologizes after a controversy over her great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese activities during Japan’s colonial rule of 1910-45. Her agency says the actor regretts earlier denials and remarks made on a KBS talk show about her family’s medical background.
The dispute centers on claims that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, supported Japan-Korea assimilation during the colonial period. After Ha first described the allegations as “groundless,” the agency says it completes secondary verification and finds Ahn Sang-ho listed on a 1916 counselor roster for the Daejeong Friendship Association (also reported as the Daejong Chinmokhoe/Daejong Friendship Association). The agency issues an apology for dismissing the claims without sufficient investigation.
Outlets also report that the controversy begins after Ha appears on Aug. 7 and speaks about her family’s four-generation medical lineage, including that her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and opened a private Western medical institution. Some reports note that promotional activities tied to her upcoming Netflix series are affected, reflecting broader fallout.
