South Korean actress Ha Young and her agency, BISTUS Entertainment, issued a formal apology after historical records linked her great-grandfather, doctor Ahn Sang Ho, to a pro-Japanese organization during the colonial period, according to reports from CNN Indonesia and Medcom.id. The controversy erupted following the actress’s appearance on the KBS2 variety show “Problem Child in House,” where she detailed her family’s four-generation medical lineage.
How the Family History Broadcast Triggered Backlash
During her appearance on “Problem Child in House,” Ha Young shared that her family boasts four generations of medical professionals, starting with her great-grandfather and continuing through her grandfather, father, and older sister, as reported by CNN Indonesia. She told viewers that her great-grandfather studied medicine in Japan before opening a Western-style clinic in Hanyang, now known as Seoul, where he treated Emperor Gojong. Following the broadcast, online speculators identified the great-grandfather as doctor Ahn Sang Ho, a connection subsequently confirmed by BISTUS Entertainment according to Medcom.id coverage.
Agency Apology and Historical Records
Historical records soon surfaced placing Ahn Sang Ho’s name on a 1916 board member list for the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, a known pro-Japanese organization active during the Japanese colonial period, as detailed by CNN Indonesia. On August 10, BISTUS Entertainment initially released a statement dismissing the allegations as unfounded. However, the agency reversed its stance the following day. According to Medcom.id, the agency stated on August 11, “Kami dengan tulus meminta maaf karena telah menimbulkan kebingungan dengan tergesa-gesa menanggapi bahwa laporan tersebut ‘tidak berdasar’ tanpa verifikasi yang memadai.” BISTUS Entertainment added that Ha Young felt deeply saddened and hurt that her family history unintentionally sparked public backlash.
Did you know?
Ha Young has appeared in several prominent K-dramas, including The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Teach You a Lesson, and most recently, Our Sticky Love, as noted by Medcom.id.
Impact on Upcoming K-Drama Projects
Amid the ongoing public scrutiny, the production team for Ha Young’s upcoming SBS drama “The Long Shot Trial” addressed fan concerns. According to CNN Indonesia, representatives from SBS stated on Tuesday that the series has completed most of its filming schedule. The network noted that while they are closely monitoring the situation surrounding the actress, providing exact production metrics or shooting details remains difficult at this stage. “The Long Shot Trial” is a scheduled 2027 comedy drama centering on a legal firm led by Kwon Baek, played by Lee Je Hoon, with Ha Young cast as rookie attorney Yeo Shim Hee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ha Young?
Ha Young is a South Korean actress recognized for her roles in television dramas such as Our Sticky Love and her upcoming project The Long Shot Trial.
Why did Ha Young and her agency apologize?
According to CNN Indonesia and Medcom.id, the agency apologized after initial denials because historical records linked her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang Ho, to a pro-Japanese organization during the colonial period.
What is “The Long Shot Trial”?
It is an upcoming SBS comedy drama scheduled to air in 2027, starring Lee Je Hoon and Ha Young, which follows the staff of a legal firm.
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