Ha Young Controversy: Relative’s Confession, Apology & Backlash
Actor Ha Young faces escalating backlash after a 13-year-old online post from an alleged relative resurfaced, confessing to the family’s pro-Japanese ties. This comes as the actor issued a handwritten apology for her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho’s colonial-era activities, with her agency reversing its initial denial and advertisers pulling her content.
What Happened
The controversy began on August 7, 2026, when Ha Young appeared on the KBS 2TV variety show Problem Child in House. During the episode, she discussed her family’s four-generation medical legacy, revealing that her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan and opened one of the first Western-style clinics in Hanyang (Seoul). She also mentioned that he had treated Emperor Gojong.
Although Ha Young did not name her great-grandfather on the show, viewers quickly identified him as Dr. Ahn Sang-ho (1872–1927). Historical records soon emerged showing that Ahn Sang-ho was a council member of the pro-Japanese organization Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. A 1918 interview with Maeil Sinbo, a publication affiliated with the Japanese Government-General of Korea, quoted Ahn as saying he was “like a Japanese” and that he did not wear Korean clothing.
Table of Contents
Alleged Relative’s Confession Resurfaces
As the controversy spread, a 13-year-old online post from May 2013 resurfaced on Korean community forums. The post, titled “I can confess because I’m anonymous,” was written by a user claiming to be a great-grandchild of Ahn Sang-ho. The user wrote:
“Honestly, our family is wealthy. I don’t know much, but I heard we’ve been well-off for generations. Seeing that we lived without trouble during the Japanese colonial period, I think my great-grandfather and grandfather must have been pro-Japanese.”
The user also expressed shame, stating: “It’s dirty. I hate that I was born into this family.”
Ahn Sang-ho had four sons and three daughters, with the fourth son, Ahn Boo-ho, being Ha Young’s grandfather. This has led to speculation that the anonymous poster is a relative of Ha Young.
Official Statement
Agency’s Initial Denial and Reversal
Ha Young’s agency, BISTUS Entertainment, initially dismissed the allegations on August 10, calling them “groundless”. However, the agency reversed its position the following day, August 11, after confirming the existence of historical records listing Ahn Sang-ho as a council member of Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916.
BISTUS Entertainment issued a statement apologizing for its premature response:
“We confirmed the existence of records listing Ahn Sang-ho as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. We apologize for causing confusion by responding without sufficient verification.”
Ha Young’s Handwritten Apology
On August 12, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology letter on her social media accounts. In the letter, she wrote:
“First, I sincerely bow my head and apologize for causing great disappointment and hurt through matters related to my great-grandfather.”
She acknowledged her ignorance:
“Until now, I only knew fragments of my great-grandfather’s life through stories passed down by my family. Shamefully, in that ignorant state, I spoke about my great-grandfather on various occasions as though he were a source of pride for our family.”
Addressing her agency’s initial denial, she took responsibility:
“When the controversy first arose, I also did not have an accurate understanding of the facts. I believe it was also my fault that an incorrect position was conveyed without sufficient verification.”
She also expressed regret over the timing, just days before Liberation Day (August 15) :
“I am even more deeply sorry for causing concern due to my shortcomings at a time just before Liberation Day.”
Ha Young pledged to study her family’s history and approach historical matters more responsibly:
“I will properly examine my family’s history and the era in which they lived. I will put this into practice through my actions, not merely my words.”
Background
Who Was Ahn Sang-ho?
Ahn Sang-ho (1872–1927) was a Korean physician who studied at Tokyo Jikei Medical School from 1898 and passed Japan’s medical licensing exam in 1902, becoming the first Korean to hold a Japanese medical license. He returned to Korea and opened a Western-style clinic in Hanyang.
Historical records show that:
- He was a council member of Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916, a pro-Japanese assimilation organization.
- In a 1918 Maeil Sinbo interview, he stated he was “like a Japanese” and adopted Japanese customs.
- He was part of the medical team that treated Emperor Gojong after a cerebral hemorrhage in 1919.
- He was also among the physicians who treated pro-Japanese collaborator Lee Wan-yong after he was attacked by independence activist Lee Jae-myung in 1909.
Industry Precedents
Ha Young is not the first Korean celebrity to face such allegations. Previously, actors Gang Dong-won and Lee Ji-ah were also embroiled in controversies over their relatives’ pro-Japanese activities. Gang Dong-won apologized in 2017 after his maternal great-grandfather was identified as a pro-Japanese collaborator. Lee Ji-ah faced similar scrutiny in 2011 over her grandfather’s pro-Japanese ties.
Why It Matters
The controversy carries particular weight as it erupted just days before South Korea’s National Liberation Day (August 15) , a day commemorating the end of Japanese colonial rule. In South Korea, pro-Japanese activities during the colonial period remain a deeply sensitive and painful issue.
Ha Young’s initial pride in her family’s medical legacy, combined with her ignorance of her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities, drew widespread criticism. The resurfacing of the alleged relative’s 2013 confession has further intensified public scrutiny.
Fan Reactions
Korean netizens have expressed strong criticism, with many questioning Ha Youung’s awareness of her family history. Some have pointed out the irony of her praising her great-grandfather while being unaware of his documented pro-Japanese ties. The resurfaced 2013 post has added fuel to the fire, with netizens speculating about the extent of the family’s knowledge of their ancestry.
International fans have shown mixed reactions, with some defending Ha Young for answering a question on a variety show, while others agree that she should have been more cautious.
What’s Next
- Cancelled Interviews: A press interview for Ha Young’s new Netflix series Our Sticky Love, scheduled for August 14, has been cancelled.
- Removed Content: The Problem Child in House episode featuring Ha Youung has had its VOD services suspended and YouTube clips set to private. Advertising videos for Samsung Electronics and apparel brand ARTID have also been made private.
- Future Activities: Ha Youung has vowed to study her family’s history and the colonial period. It remains unclear how this controversy will affect her upcoming projects.
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