Ha Young has publicly apologised after controversy surrounding her great-grandfather’s activities during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea resurfaced. The Our Sticky Love actor shared a handwritten letter on social media on Wednesday, acknowledging that she had previously spoken about her great-grandfather with pride without knowing the full details of his history. Her apology comes after historical records emerged linking her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, to a pro-Japanese organisation during the colonial period.
The controversy began shortly after Ha Young appeared on the Korean talk show Problem Child in House. During the appearance, she spoke about her family’s medical background and mentioned that her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan. The discussion prompted online scrutiny of his activities, eventually leading her agency to revise an earlier statement after confirming that his name appeared in historical records connected to the organisation in 1916.
Ha Young Apologises For What She Did Not Know
In her handwritten letter, Ha Young acknowledged that her understanding of her great-grandfather’s life had largely come from stories passed down through her family. She said that, because of that limited understanding, she had spoken about him as a source of family pride on several occasions without knowing about the historical allegations surrounding his activities.
“I had only partially known about my great-grandfather’s life through stories told by my family,” she wrote. “I am ashamed, that despite my ignorance, I had spoken on many occasions about him as a source of family pride.”
Ha Young went on to say that not knowing about the history could not be used as an excuse for treating it lightly. She expressed regret over her earlier comments and said she now understood the seriousness of the issue after looking into the relevant historical material herself.
“I believe the fact that I had not known about it cannot be an excuse for disregarding or lightly considering that history. I take that mistake heavily and as a descendant, I am sincerely sorry,” the actor said.
Her statement comes after her agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially pushed back against claims concerning Ahn Sang-ho. The agency later acknowledged that further verification had confirmed his name appeared as a member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, also referred to as the Daejung Friendship Association, in 1916. The agency apologised for making its initial statement without sufficiently checking the historical records.
How The Family History Came To Light
Ha Young’s family history became a subject of public discussion after her recent appearance on Problem Child in House. During the programme, she talked about medicine being part of her family across four generations and described her great-grandfather’s medical education in Japan.
The comments might have remained a personal family story had they not prompted viewers to investigate the identity and historical background of the relative she was discussing. Online scrutiny subsequently focused on Ahn Sang-ho, who was a doctor during the period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea.
According to reports, historical records show Ahn’s name among the members of the organisation in 1916. The organisation has been associated with pro-Japanese activities during the colonial period, which lasted from 1910 to 1945. The controversy is particularly sensitive in South Korea, where the history of Japanese occupation remains an important and emotionally charged subject, especially with National Liberation Day approaching on August 15.
The agency’s changing response became another important part of the story. Its initial denial was followed by an apology after additional verification, with the company acknowledging that the historical record it had initially disputed did exist. That reversal increased attention on Ha Young’s own public response and eventually led to her handwritten apology.
It is important, however, to distinguish between the documented history of an ancestor and the actions of a descendant who was not alive during that period. Ha Young’s apology specifically addresses her own lack of knowledge and previous comments about her family history rather than suggesting that she was responsible for her great-grandfather’s actions. Her statement instead focuses on acknowledging the historical information and expressing regret for having discussed the family history without understanding the wider context.
Our Sticky Love Faces Unwanted Attention
The controversy arrives at an unfortunate moment for Ha Young, who has recently taken on a prominent role in Our Sticky Love. The Netflix romantic comedy stars Ha Young alongside Jung Hae In, with the actor playing Go Eun Sae, an amnesiac prosecutor whose life takes an unexpected turn after she encounters Jang Tae Ha, played by Jung Hae In. The series has been promoted as a light romantic comedy built around their unusual relationship and rural setting.
Ha Young’s role in the series represents an important stage in her acting career, making the sudden controversy particularly disruptive. Reports indicate that promotional plans connected to the drama have already been affected, with Netflix cancelling a scheduled interview involving Jung Hae In and Ha Young as the backlash intensified. The timing was especially sensitive because the event was scheduled close to August 15, South Korea’s National Liberation Day.
The situation also demonstrates how quickly an actor’s personal or family history can become connected to the promotion of a current project. Ha Young’s recent television appearance was intended to introduce viewers to her and her career, but discussion surrounding her family history has instead become a major part of the public conversation around her.
For now, Ha Young’s apology appears focused on acknowledging what she learned and taking responsibility for her own earlier comments. She has not claimed responsibility for her ancestor’s historical actions, but she has accepted that speaking about the family history without knowing the full background was a mistake. That distinction is central to understanding the statement she has now made.
Questions About Ha Young’s Controversy
Why did Ha Young apologise?
Ha Young apologised after historical records concerning her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, resurfaced and linked him to a pro-Japanese organisation during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea.
Who was Ha Young’s great-grandfather?
Her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, a doctor whose medical career and activities during the colonial period became the focus of renewed public scrutiny.
How did the controversy begin?
The issue gained attention after Ha Young discussed her family’s medical history and her great-grandfather’s medical education in Japan on Problem Child in House. Viewers subsequently investigated his historical background.
What did Ha Young say in her apology?
She said she had only partially known about her great-grandfather through family stories and expressed shame over having previously spoken about him as a source of family pride without knowing the full history.
What did Ha Young’s agency initially say?
Her agency initially rejected the claims surrounding Ahn Sang-ho but later acknowledged that further verification confirmed his name appeared in historical records as a member of the organisation in 1916.
What is Ha Young’s current drama?
Ha Young currently stars in Netflix’s Our Sticky Love alongside Jung Hae In. The romantic comedy follows an amnesiac prosecutor and a man who claims to be her boyfriend.
Has the controversy affected Our Sticky Love promotions?
Yes. Reports say promotional activities have been affected, including the cancellation of a scheduled interview involving Jung Hae In and Ha Young.
