Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Ha Young Faces Backlash Over Great-Grandfather's Pro-Japanese Colonial Era Ties
A popular TV actress in South Korea named Ha Young is in trouble because of something that happened a very long time ago.
She appeared on a TV show and told everyone that her family had been doctors for four generations.
She mentioned her great-grandfather, who studied in Japan and opened a clinic.
People looked up old records and found that he was part of a group that supported Japan when Japan ruled Korea.
Many people in South Korea were upset because a special holiday about freedom from Japanese rule was coming up.
Her company first said the accusations were not true, but later checked and said sorry.
Ha Young wrote a letter by hand to apologize to everyone.
Some people still said the apology was not enough, but others said she was not even born back then and should not be blamed.
Because of all the upset, some interviews were cancelled, a TV replay was stopped, and some advertisements were taken down.
South Korean actress Ha Young faces backlash after netizens linked her great-grandfather, Dr. Ahn Sang-ho, to pro-Japanese activities during Japan's colonial rule of Korea.
The controversy began after her August 7 appearance on KBS2's Problem Child in House, where she discussed her four-generation medical family background.
Unearthed historical records showed Ahn Sang-ho was a council member of the pro-Japanese Daejeong Friendship Association starting in 1916.
Her agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially dismissed the accusations as groundless, then backtracked, verified the records and apologised for its hasty initial response.
Fallout includes cancelled press round-tables for Our Sticky Love, suspended episode replays, and removal of promotional ads by brands like Samsung Electronics, despite her handwritten apology.
- Who
- South Korean actress Ha Young, her great-grandfather Dr. Ahn Sang-ho, her agency Bistus Entertainment, and netizens who uncovered the historical records.
- What
- Backlash over her great-grandfather's council membership in the pro-Japanese Daejeong Friendship Association during Japan's colonial rule, leading to her handwritten apology and cancelled promotions.
- When
- August 2026, sparked by her August 7 appearance on KBS2's Problem Child in House, ahead of National Liberation Day on August 15.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Historical records showed her great-grandfather supported Japan's colonial rule, a deeply sensitive issue in South Korea, especially so close to Gwangbokjeol.
Supporters of Ha Young
Critics
Blaming her for family history
Supporters of Ha Young
Ha Young was not alive during the colonial era and should not be punished for actions her great-grandfather took over a century ago; she has worked hard for years with zero scandals and this backlash began right after her first main role.
Critics
As a 33-year-old adult she should have known her family's history, and the controversy reflects a failure to recognise the deep sensitivity of pro-Japanese collaboration in South Korea.
Acceptance of the apology
Supporters of Ha Young
She wrote a handwritten apology expressing deep remorse, and there is little more she could reasonably do to make amends.
Critics
Many reject the apology ('we don't accept your apology') and demand greater accountability from her and her family, especially after her father's interview defence used phrasing critics deemed historically insensitive.
Severity of consequences
Supporters of Ha Young
Cancelling interviews, suspending replays and pulling brand advertisements is an overreaction that is ruining a successful career over century-old records.
Critics
Such consequences are appropriate given the historical sensitivity of the issue, particularly with National Liberation Day approaching.
- Actress
- Ha Young
- Great-grandfather
- Dr. Ahn Sang-ho
- Controversial organization
- Daejeong Friendship Association (Daejeong Chinmokhoe)
- Council membership
- Starting 1916
- Agency
- Bistus Entertainment
- Origin of controversy
- KBS2's Problem Child in House (August 7)
- Affected series
- Our Sticky Love (Netflix, co-starring Jung Hae In)
- Consequences
- Cancelled press round-tables, suspended replays, Samsung Electronics ads removed