Cinema VinesSouth Korean actress Ha Young, best known for her recent role in the drama Our Sticky Love, issued a public apology after allegations surfaced that her great‑grandfather, Ahn Sang‑ho (1872‑1927), had participated in pro‑Japanese activities during Korea’s colonial period from 1910 to 1945.
The controversy began when Ha appeared on the talk show Problem Child in House last week, where she discussed her family’s medical legacy. She revealed that her great‑grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan and that the profession had been passed down through four generations. The revelation prompted viewers to investigate Ahn’s past, and the actor’s agency was forced to confront the matter.
On Wednesday, Ha Young posted a handwritten letter on her social media accounts. In the apology she wrote, “I had only partially known about my great‑grandfather’s life through stories told by my family. I am ashamed, that despite my ignorance, I had spoken on many occasions about him as a source of family pride.” She added that ignorance was no excuse for overlooking historical facts, stating, “I take that mistake heavily and as a descendant, I am sincerely sorry.”
The agency, which had initially denied any background checks, issued a statement on Tuesday admitting that historic records confirmed Ahn’s membership in an organization active in 1916. The apology was issued on behalf of Ha to address the concerns raised by the public and to acknowledge the gravity of the colonial history involved.
Ha Young’s case underscores the scrutiny that Korean celebrities face when family histories intersect with sensitive periods of the nation’s past. The actress’s candid apology and the agency’s swift response aim to mitigate the fallout and demonstrate accountability amid growing public sensitivity to Japan‑Korea historical issues.
