South Korean actor Ha Young has apologised after her family history became the centre of controversy over her great-grandfather’s alleged links to a pro-Japanese organisation during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea. The actor, who recently appeared in Netflix’s romantic comedy Our Sticky Love, has also seen promotional activities affected by the backlash.
The controversy began after Ha Young appeared on the Korean television programme Problem Child in House on August 7. During the appearance, she spoke about her family’s four-generation medical legacy and revealed that her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan before opening what she described as the first Western-style medical clinic in Korea. She also said she had heard that he treated Emperor Gojong.
Although Ha Young did not identify her great-grandfather by name, viewers subsequently traced his identity to Dr Ahn Sang Ho. Historical records cited in reports about the controversy indicate that Ahn was listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916, an organisation associated with efforts to promote Japan-Korea assimilation during the colonial period.
The revelations triggered criticism in South Korea, where historical associations with Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule remain highly sensitive. The controversy has become particularly significant because it erupted just days before August 15, South Korea’s National Liberation Day, which commemorates the country’s liberation from Japanese rule.
Ha Young’s agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially rejected the allegations on August 10, describing the reports about her great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese activities as groundless. However, the agency reversed that position a day later after conducting a further review of historical records.
In its revised statement, the agency confirmed that there was indeed a historical record listing Ahn Sang Ho as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. It apologised for its earlier response, acknowledging that it had acted too quickly without adequately verifying the historical information.
The agency also said Ha Young was deeply troubled that her comments about her family’s medical background had unintentionally led to the controversy. It added that the actor would approach her future activities with greater caution and humility.
The fallout has already affected the promotion of Our Sticky Love, Ha Young’s first leading role in a romantic-comedy series. She was reportedly scheduled to participate in a round-table interview for the show on August 14, but the promotional event was cancelled amid the controversy. Replays of the television episode in which she discussed her family history have also reportedly been halted, while some advertisements featuring the actor have been made private.
The controversy comes at a crucial stage in Ha Young’s career. She has gained recognition through appearances in Korean television and Netflix productions, including The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Boyfriend on Demand and Teach You a Lesson. Her latest series, Our Sticky Love, was released only recently.
Ha Young also has several major projects lined up. She is set to appear alongside Lee Je Hoon in the upcoming SBS drama There’s a Winning Chance, which is expected to air in 2027. She is also scheduled to return for the second season of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, with filming reportedly expected to begin later this year.