Actress Ha Young cancels interview over revelations of great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities; next project in jeopardy

[26.08.14] Fallout Escalates for Actress Ha Young Over Great-Grandfather's Pro-Japanese Past: 6 Key Sections & Future of 'Trauma Center S2'

Actress Ha Young is facing intense scrutiny following revelations regarding her great-grandfather An Sang-ho's pro-Japanese activities. This article categorizes the controversy into 6 key sections, complete with verified historical facts added to each paragraph, explaining the historical records, public backlash, and career repercussions.

1. Connection to Empress Myeongseong Assassin Collaborator and Colonial Assimilation

According to research by Lee Jeong-eun at the Independence Hall of Korea, An Sang-ho married a Japanese woman, Kawaguchi Isoko, introduced by Gyu Yeon-soo while studying in Tokyo. Gyu Yeon-soo (1866–1925) was a pro-Japanese official listed among key collaborators in the 1895 Eulmi Incident (assassination of Empress Myeongseong).

Imperial Japan promoted marriages between Korean men and Japanese women as propaganda for its assimilation policy ('Naeseon-Ilche'). In a past interview with Maeil Sinbo, An Sang-ho stated, "I am identical to a Japanese person. We exclusively use Japanese at home," leaving clear historical evidence of active cooperation with colonial policies.

Historical documents confirm that An Sang-ho developed close ties with Gyu Yeon-soo while studying medicine in Tokyo during the early 1900s. Imperial Japan's official mouthpiece, Maeil Sinbo, featured his household multiple times as a prime example of a Japanese-only household in Korea.

Matchmaking by Eulmi Incident Collaborator Gyu Yeon-soo… An Sang-ho's family was repeatedly highlighted by colonial media as a model of Imperial Japanese assimilation.

2. Broadcast Statements on '4th-Gen Doctor Family' and Pro-Japanese Verification

The controversy erupted after Ha Young mentioned on broadcast programs—including KBS 2TV's 'Problem Child in House' while promoting Netflix's 'This Damn Love'—that her family boasts four generations of doctors who treated King Gojong. Online scrutiny by netizens and researchers quickly uncovered archived documents regarding An Sang-ho's colonial political activities.

Records revealed that An Sang-ho served on the Daejeong Friendship Association council, treated pro-Japanese traitor Yi Wan-yong, and joined the Ito Hirobumi memorial committee. Attempting to glorify family status on television without acknowledging this history sparked severe public outrage.

The Daejeong Friendship Association, where An Sang-ho served as a council member, was a prominent government-backed pro-Japanese organization founded in 1916 to promote Japanese annexation. Furthermore, he served as a primary physician for Yi Wan-yong, one of the 'Five Eulsa Traitors', and was listed as a promoter for Ito Hirobumi's memorial event.

1916 Daejeong Council Membership and Medical Service for Traitor Yi Wan-yong… Archived historical documents directly corroborated his active participation in colonial pro-Japanese organizations.

3. Agency's Initial Misstep and Ha Young's Handwritten Public Apology

When claims first surfaced, her agency BISTARS Entertainment issued a strong denial, labeling the claims "unfounded." However, as concrete historical records—such as the 1916 Daejeong Friendship Association roster—were published online, the agency reversed its statement within 24 hours.

The agency apologized for "answering hastily without thorough verification." Ha Young also released a handwritten apology, stating, "I only knew fragments of family stories through relatives. I deeply reflect on my ignorance and carelessness for boasting about family history without knowing the painful truth."

Initially, the agency promised legal action claiming the reports were false, but pivoted to a full apology within 24 hours as historical evidence mounted. In her handwritten letter, Ha Young promised to study history diligently and reflect deeply on her lack of historical awareness.

Initial Denial Reversed Within 24 Hours… Overwhelming historical evidence forced both the agency and actress to publicly admit their initial ignorance and offer apologies.

4. Japanese Media Claims 'Guilt-by-Association' as Prof. Seo Kyeong-duk Rebuts

As news spread internationally, Japanese media outlets including JB Press and Fuji TV published columns criticizing South Korean public reaction as "modern guilt-by-association." They asserted that Korean entertainment was branding descendants over events involving ancestors they had never met.

In response, Sungshin Women's University Professor Seo Kyeong-duk sharply criticized Japanese media, stating "Japanese media lacking historic accountability have no moral standing to lecture South Korea." He highlighted Japan's ongoing distortion of forced labor, Dokdo claims, and lack of sincere apologies for comfort women victims.

Outlets like JB Press claimed South Korean society was venting anti-Japanese sentiment onto descendants for ancestral deeds. Professor Seo issued an official statement demanding Japan address its own unresolved historical atrocities before attempting to lecture other nations on self-reflection.

Japanese Press 'Guilt-by-Association' Frame Met by Prof. Seo's Rebuttal… Professor Seo called out Japanese media hypocrisy regarding historical accountability in an official public statement.

5. Announcer Kwak Min-sun Shares Hardships of Patriot Kwak Byeong-do's Lineage

On August 14, ahead of National Liberation Day, esports announcer Kwak Min-sun—a descendant of Independence Patriot Kwak Byeong-do (1880–1968)—posted a poignant statement on social media. She expressed feeling emotional and heartbroken upon seeing someone publicly boast about their great-grandfather on television.

Kwak Min-sun revealed that her great-grandfather sacrificed his entire fortune for independence funds and was jailed, leaving his family to suffer severe poverty and police surveillance. Her testimony starkly contrasted the inherited wealth of pro-Japanese figures against the hardships endured by patriots' descendants.

Patriot Kwak Byeong-do was arrested in 1919 while raising funds for the independence movement, serving imprisonment, and was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1990. Kwak Min-sun shared documented records of police surveillance and financial distress faced by her family to emphasize public figures' societal responsibility.

Moving Testimony from Independence Patriot's Descendant… The sacrifice of Order of Merit recipient Kwak Byeong-do highlighted the painful disparity between patriots and pro-Japanese families.

6. Canceled Press Interviews, Privated Ads, and 'Trauma Center S2' Casting Outlook

The scandal produced immediate repercussions for Ha Young's career. Round-table press interviews for Netflix's 'This Damn Love' scheduled for August 14 were abruptly canceled, impacting lead actor Jung Hae-in's schedules as well. Furthermore, several commercial brands set her advertisement videos to private.

While 'This Damn Love' ranked #5 in Netflix's Global Non-English TV category, attention has shifted to Netflix's 'Trauma Center' Season 2, set to begin filming in October. Having played nurse Cheon Jang-mi in Season 1, Ha Young's casting status remains under internal discussion pending public sentiment over the coming months.

Lead actor Jung Hae-in's scheduled media round-table was unexpectedly canceled on the morning of the event due to the escalating controversy. Production staff for 'Trauma Center' Season 2, slated for an October start, are reportedly evaluating public reaction to determine her screen time and casting status.

Interviews Canceled & October Test for 'Trauma Center S2'… With co-star interviews disrupted and ads privated, her casting in the upcoming Netflix sequel serves as the critical test.

Section / Entity	Core Details and Verified Historical Facts
1. An Sang-ho & Gyu Yeon-soo	Married Japanese woman arranged by Eulmi Incident collaborator; covered by colonial press as model family.
2. TV Remarks & History	Scrutinized after '4th-gen doctor' remark; 1916 Daejeong council & Yi Wan-yong medical service confirmed.
3. Agency & Actress Apology	Agency reversed initial denial within 24 hours; Ha Young released handwritten apology pledging reflection.
4. Japanese Press vs. Prof. Seo	Japanese 'guilt-by-association' claims met by Prof. Seo's rebuke over Japan's unresolved history distortions.
5. Kwak Byeong-do & Kwak Min-sun	Order of Merit patriot Kwak Byeong-do jailed for funds; Kwak Min-sun shared family's poverty and surveillance.
6. Career Impact & S2 Outlook	Jung Hae-in interviews canceled; ads privated; 'Sungsan' filming continues; 'Trauma Center S2' under review for Oct.

[Summary Brief] 6 Key Takeaways on Ha Young's Great-Grandfather Controversy

• 1. Assimilation Model under Colonial Rule: An Sang-ho married via matchmaker Gyu Yeon-soo and was featured in colonial media as a Japanese-speaking household.
• 2. Confirmed Pro-Japanese History: Scrutiny following broadcast remarks confirmed his 1916 Daejeong council role, service to Yi Wan-yong, and Ito memorial involvement.
• 3. Rapid Reversal and Public Apology: Facing archived records, the agency retracted its denial within 24 hours, followed by Ha Young's handwritten apology.
• 4. Rebutting Japanese Media Claims: Prof. Seo Kyeong-duk publicly condemned Japanese media editorials framing the public reaction as "modern guilt-by-association."
• 5. Contrast with Independence Families: Announcer Kwak Min-sun shared documented struggles of Order of Merit recipient Kwak Byeong-do's descendants.
• 6. Disrupted Media & October Sequel Test: With press schedules canceled and ads privated, her participation in Netflix's 'Trauma Center S2' in October remains a key focal point.

Related Tags: HaYoung, AnSangho, ProJapaneseControversy, GyuYeonsoo, EmpressMyeongseongAssassination, DaejeongAssociation, SeoKyeongduk, KwakMinsun, KwakByeongdo, ThisDamnLove, JungHaein, TraumaCenter2, Sungsan