While South Korean actress Ha Young (하영) has been on the rise lately for her work in popular titles, her name recently topped search lists for an unfortunate reason. After sharing details about her family, netizens uncovered shocking information about her ancestor.

The controversy began when Ha Young, whose real name is Ahn Ha Young (안하영), appeared on a South Korean variety show where she mentioned her family’s four-generation legacy in the medical field. According to the actress, her great-grandfather had studied medicine in Japan and later opened the first Western-style clinic in Hanyang (now Seoul). She also mentioned that her great-grandfather treated Emperor Gojong, the former King of Joseon.

With the details she provided, many netizens began speculating that Ha Young’s great-grandfather was the doctor Ahn Sang Ho. As speculation spread, records emerged revealing that Ahn Sang Ho was a council member for Daejoeng Chinmokhoe, a pro-Japanese organisation. There were also allegations that Ahn Sang Ho had poisoned Emperor Gojong, which led to his sudden death in 1919.

Given South Korea’s history during the Japanese colonial period, Ha Young’s family history quickly sparked controversy. Her agency, BISTUS Entertainment, initially denied the allegations about her great-grandfather. However, a day later, the agency confirmed that Ahn Sang Ho was indeed a council member for Daejoeng Chinmokhoe. BISTUS apologised for the issue, adding that Ha Young acknowledges the distress caused by her family history.

However, the statement only sparked more criticism among South Koreans. While some noted that Ha Young isn’t responsible for her ancestor’s actions, many lamented her lack of historical awareness for boasting about her family’s history. Others also slammed her agency’s initial denial of the allegations. Since the controversy intensified, brands have taken down advertisements featuring the star.

It’s worth mentioning that Ha Young isn’t the only South Korean celebrity whose family has pro-Japanese ties. Actor Kang Dong Won (강동원) and actress Lee Ji Ah (이지아) also similarly faced backlash after their ancestors’ pro-Japanese activities came to light. However, netizens noted that both stars immediately expressed remorse over their family’s history. In contrast, Ha Young initially denied the allegations before acknowledging the issue.

As of now, Ha Young has cancelled her scheduled activities, including interviews for her new drama, “Our Sticky Love”. However, it’s unclear how this controversy would impact her career in the long run. What are your thoughts on this?

Sources: Soompi, The Chosun, Sports Chosun