South Korean actor Ha Young has personally apologised after controversy erupted over her great-grandfather’s alleged ties to a pro-Japanese organisation during the colonial period. The controversy has quickly become a major issues, coming just days before South Korea marks National Liberation Day on August 15 and as the actor promotes her latest K-drama, Our Sticky Love. The actor, who rose to wider recognition through Netflix's The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, has now addressed the issue personally after her agency initially denied the allegations before later confirming that historical records did exist.
[Also read: Ha Young controversy explained: Our Sticky Love actor apologises over great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese ties]
Ha Young shares a handwritten apology
On August 12, Ha Young posted a handwritten letter on Instagram, acknowledging that she had spoken about her family history without knowing the complete details surrounding her great-grandfather. “Until now, I had only known about my great-grandfather's life in fragments, based on stories passed down through my family. Shamefully, I spoke of him in various settings as if he were a source of family pride, while remaining in such a state of ignorance,” she wrote.
The actor said she now understands that she should have approached her family history with greater care, particularly given the painful history of Korea under Japanese colonial rule. “I deeply regret that I spoke of my family history so lightly without properly understanding the painful history of our country during the Japanese colonial period. I take that mistake heavily and as a descendant, I am sincerely sorry,” she further wrote.
Ha Young also addressed the confusion created by her agency's first response to the reports. She explained that she did not have all the facts when the allegations first surfaced and accepted responsibility for the incorrect statement being released. “When the controversy first arose, I myself did not know the exact facts, which led to the agency releasing a statement claiming the reports were 'groundless.' I believe it was my own shortcoming that allowed such an incorrect statement to be delivered without sufficient verification,” the actor said.
{{/usCountry}}Ha Young also addressed the confusion created by her agency's first response to the reports. She explained that she did not have all the facts when the allegations first surfaced and accepted responsibility for the incorrect statement being released. “When the controversy first arose, I myself did not know the exact facts, which led to the agency releasing a statement claiming the reports were 'groundless.' I believe it was my own shortcoming that allowed such an incorrect statement to be delivered without sufficient verification,” the actor said.
{{/usCountry}}She ended her letter by promising to learn more about her family's past and approach historical matters more responsibly in the future. “I will keep this incident deep in my heart. I will thoroughly examine my family's history and that era, and adopt a more cautious attitude toward history in the future. I will prove this not just with words but with actions,” she concluded.
How the controversy started
The controversy began after Ha Young appeared on the KBS variety show Problem Child in House on August 7. During the appearance, she spoke about her family's medical background and mentioned her great-grandfather's connection to Japan. She had said, “My great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and opened the first Western-style clinic in Hanyang. I heard he even treated Emperor Gojong.”
Although Ha Young did not identify him by name during the show, online users later connected her comments to Dr Ahn Sang Ho. As per reports, historical records show that Ahn received Japan's first medical license issued to a Korean. He also married a Japanese woman and adopted Japanese customs. Reports also cited a 1918 interview with Maeil Sinbo in which Ahn was quoted as saying he was “like a Japanese” and that he did not wear Korean clothing.
Further scrutiny brought attention to records showing Ahn Sang Ho as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. The organisation was established during the colonial period and promoted assimilation between Japan and Korea. A 2007 research paper described the group as “a Japan-Korea assimilation organization aimed at endorsing the Governor-General's politics and harmonizing the Japanese and Korean ethnicities.”
Agency changes its statement
Ha Young's agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially responded to the allegations on August 10 by describing them as groundless. However, after reviewing the available historical records, the company changed its position the following day. “Upon further verification, we have confirmed that there is indeed an existing record of her great-grandfather, doctor Ahn Sang Ho, being listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily responding that the reports were groundless without sufficient verification,” the statement read, as reported by Soompi.
The agency said Ha Young was also deeply troubled by the situation and would be more careful in how she handled her activities going forward. It added that the actress would approach her work with a more cautious and humble attitude. “Through this incident, our company has deeply realized how much careful verification is required when conveying historical facts and an individual's background to the public,” it further read.
Our Sticky Love promotions affected
The controversy has already had an impact on Ha Young's ongoing promotions for Our Sticky Love, her first leading role opposite Jung Hae In. She was scheduled to take part in a roundtable interview on August 14, one day before National Liberation Day, but the promotional event has been canceled.
The KBS episode of Problem Child in House featuring the actor has also reportedly been suspended from replay, while some of her advertising videos have been made private.
What about her upcoming dramas?
The controversy comes at an important stage in Ha Young's career. She is also attached to SBS's upcoming comedy legal detective drama There's a Winning Chance, in which she will star alongside Lee Je Hoon. The series is expected to air in 2027.
SBS has confirmed that a substantial portion of the drama has already been filmed but has stopped short of revealing exactly how much production has been completed. “There's a Winning Chance has already completed a significant portion of filming. We ask for your understanding as it is difficult to provide specific details regarding the amount filmed or the exact production progress at this time. We are aware of the matter and are closely monitoring how the situation develops. If there are any updates, we will share them,” the statement read, as reported by XportsNews.
Ha Young is also expected to return for the second season of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. Seasons 2 and 3 are reportedly planned to be filmed back-to-back from October, with Ju Ji Hoon, Choo Young Woo and Yoon Kyung Ho also set to return.
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