Hayoung issues handwritten apology over great-grandfather's pro-Japanese controversy: "Deeply reflecting... planned interviews and advertisements suspended"

Actress Ha Young publicly released a handwritten apology on the 12th regarding the controversy over her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho’s pro-Japanese activities. Through her SNS, Ha Young apologized for causing disappointment and hurt due to her great-grandfather’s past and stated that she has been reflecting on her family history with a heavy heart. Ha Young recently mentioned on several variety shows that her family has been medical professionals for four generations and introduced stories about her great-grandfather as a family pride. After it was confirmed that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, controversy spread as records revealed Ahn Sang-ho’s involvement in pro-Japanese organizations during the Japanese colonial period and related statements. Ahn Sang-ho was the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license and served as a contracted physician caring for Emperor Sunjong’s health. However, criticism continued after it was revealed that his name appeared on the Daijeong Friendship Association council list, that he was introduced as a model case of Japanese-Korean unity in the Governor-General of Korea’s official journal, and that he made remarks implying he did not associate with Koreans. Following the controversy, Ha Young’s agency Bister Entertainment initially stated that the allegations were ″unfounded,″ but reversed their position after further verification within a day. Regarding this, Ha Young apologized, saying that at the beginning of the controversy, she did not know the facts accurately, and the agency issued the unfounded statement on her behalf. She also admitted her shortcomings for the incorrect statement being conveyed without sufficient confirmation. She repeatedly apologized for the delay in making a statement due to the gravity of the matter. Ha Young said that through the process of personally researching related materials prompted by this incident, she learned about her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese actions. She reflected on having lightly mentioned her family history without properly understanding the painful history of the Japanese colonial period. Ha Young said, ″I deeply accept this fault and sincerely apologize as a descendant,″ adding that she feels sorry for causing controversy ahead of Liberation Day. Furthermore, Ha Young stated that she will deeply remember this incident and adopt a more cautious attitude in the future when examining her family history and that era properly. She expressed her respect for independence activists and all those who have worked for Korea’s liberation and peace, promising to serve with sincere actions, not just words. Meanwhile, interviews scheduled regarding various works including the Netflix series ″Trauma Center,″ in which Ha Young appeared, have been canceled, and some commercial videos have been made private, continuing the aftermath. Although suspicions were raised about Ha Young’s grandfather, Professor Ahn Bu-ho, no concrete evidence has been found that he directly participated in such acts, and Ahn Sang-ho is also reportedly not listed in the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators.