Actress Ha Young faces backlash over great-grandfather's pro-Japanese ties

South Korean actress Ha Young is facing significant backlash following revelations regarding her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, and his alleged ties to pro-Japanese organizations during the colonial era.

The controversy began after Ha Young mentioned her family’s four-generation medical legacy on a variety show, noting that her great-grandfather was a physician who studied in Japan and treated Emperor Gojong. Netizens subsequently identified him as Ahn Sang-ho and uncovered records listing him as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916, a group described as a pro-Japanese organization.

Ha Young’s agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially denied the allegations as “groundless” but retracted the statement a day later after confirming the historical records. The agency apologized for the hasty response and for the confusion caused.

The incident has led to professional consequences, including the suspension of her variety show appearance on streaming platforms, the removal of her advertisements for brands such as Samsung and Artid, and the cancellation of scheduled promotional interviews.