Ha Young Personally Apologizes Over Great-Grandfather’s Historical Controversy
Actress Ha Young has personally apologized following controversy surrounding the history of her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang Ho, after records regarding his activities during the Japanese colonial period resurfaced online.
On August 12, Ha Young shared a handwritten apology on social media, acknowledging that she had previously spoken about her great-grandfather with pride based on stories passed down through her family without being fully aware of the historical records surrounding him.
In her statement, Ha Young said that she had recently looked into the relevant historical materials herself and learned about her great-grandfather's activities during the Japanese colonial period. She expressed regret for discussing her family history without properly understanding the broader historical context.
Ha Young Apologizes and Takes Responsibility for Her Earlier Remarks
Ha Young explained that she had only known fragments of her great-grandfather's life through stories shared by her family.
She acknowledged that, while unaware of the additional historical records, she had mentioned her great-grandfather in various settings as a source of family pride.
The actress said she now recognizes that not knowing about the historical record does not excuse treating the history of the Japanese colonial period lightly.
She expressed her sincere apology to those who were disappointed or hurt by her previous remarks and said she would take the matter seriously as a descendant.
Her Agency Previously Retracted Its Initial Statement
The controversy escalated after Ha Young's agency, BISTUS Entertainment, initially denied reports concerning her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese activities.
However, on August 11, the agency reversed that position after conducting additional verification.
BISTUS Entertainment confirmed that a historical record exists showing that Ha Young's great-grandfather, doctor Ahn Sang Ho, was listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. The agency apologized for previously responding that the reports were unfounded without conducting sufficient verification.
The agency also acknowledged that the controversy began after Ha Young discussed her family's four-generation medical history during appearances on Korean television programs.
How the Controversy Began
Ha Young recently appeared on programs including KBS2's Problem Child in House, where she spoke about her family's history in medicine.
During the broadcast, she described her great-grandfather as a doctor who had studied Western medicine in Japan before opening a Western-style medical clinic in Hanyang and treating Emperor Gojong.
Following the broadcast, online users began identifying the great-grandfather she had mentioned as Ahn Sang Ho, a historical figure associated with the early development of Western medicine in Korea.
Further discussion followed after records surfaced showing Ahn Sang Ho's name among the council members of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916, leading to scrutiny over his activities during the Japanese colonial period.
Ha Young Says She Will Study Korean History
In her handwritten statement, Ha Young said she would take the opportunity to learn more about her family's history and the period in which her great-grandfather lived.
She also expressed her intention to approach Korean history more carefully in the future and said she would work to honor those who contributed to Korea's independence and liberation.
The actress emphasized that she wants to demonstrate her commitment through actions rather than words.
Her personal apology comes one day after her agency apologized for its initial response, bringing another development to the controversy that has unfolded over the past several days.
Ha Young's Recent Work
Ha Young is known for her appearances in dramas including Love Your Enemy, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Resident Playbook, and Our Sticky Love.
She is also set to appear in the upcoming second season of Disney+'s Moving.
The actress's latest statement focuses on acknowledging her lack of knowledge regarding the historical records and expressing her intention to learn more about her family's past and Korean history.