Cinema VinesSouth Korean actress Ha Young issued a public apology after it emerged that her great‑grandfather had ties to a pro‑Japanese organization during Korea’s colonial period. The controversy erupted on August 7, when the actress appeared on the KBS variety program Problem Child in House and discussed her family’s medical background, mentioning her great‑grandfather’s connection to Japan. The comments sparked backlash just days before the country’s National Liberation Day on August 15.
Initially, Ha Young’s agency denied the allegations, labeling the reports as “groundless.” However, the agency later confirmed that historical records did exist, prompting the actress to take responsibility for the misstep. On August 12, she posted a handwritten letter on Instagram in which she admitted she had spoken about her family history without fully understanding the details.
In the letter, Ha Young wrote, “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 added that she now realizes the need for greater care when discussing her family’s past, especially given Korea’s painful history under Japanese rule.
Ha Young also addressed the confusion caused by her agency’s first statement. She said, “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.” She concluded by vowing to learn more about her family’s history and to handle historical matters more responsibly in the future, promising that her actions would back up her words.
The actress, who gained wider recognition through Netflix’s The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, is currently promoting her new K‑drama Our Sticky Love. The apology comes as South Korea prepares to commemorate its National Liberation Day, underscoring the sensitivity of historical memory in contemporary public life.
