Amid allegations that actress Ha-young (32, real name Ahn Ha-young)'s great-grandfather was a pro-Japanese collaborator, her agency retracted its previous stance that the claims were baseless and issued an apology.
On the 11th, Ha-young's agency, Vistars Entertainment, released an official statement saying, "Regarding our earlier statement that the allegations were unfounded, further verification confirmed that records exist showing her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, was listed as a councilor in the 1916 Daetong Friendship Association." The agency added, "We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily responding with 'unfounded' without sufficient verification."
The agency stated, "Actress Ha-young recently mentioned her family's four-generation medical profession while answering questions during a broadcast program appearance. This unintentionally sparked controversy, and the actress herself is deeply troubled by the situation."
The agency further added, "Through this incident, we have deeply realized how crucial careful verification is when conveying historical facts and an individual's biography to the public. Ha-young has also taken this matter to heart and will approach future situations with greater caution and humility."
Earlier, on the 7th, during a broadcast of KBS 2TV's 'Problem Children in House,' Ha-young stated, "My great-grandfather opened the first Yang (Rep.) in Hanyang and treated patients at Ko Jong (황제)." She also mentioned that her family has been doctors for four generations, including her grandfather, father, mother, and older sister.
Subsequently, it was revealed online that Ha-young's great-grandfather was named Ahn Sang-ho.
Ahn Sang-ho graduated from a medical school in Japan in 1902, obtained local physician qualifications, and opened a clinic at 3 Ga, Jongno, Seoul in 1904. In 1919, he also treated Emperor Gojong alongside Japanese physicians.
He is suspected of pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period. According to a 1918 interview article in Maeil Sinbo, an institutional investor affiliated with Jo Seon (총독), after marrying a Japanese wife, Ahn Sang-ho reportedly said, "I am exactly like a Japanese person. I have not worn a single Korean outfit since then and cannot eat spicy food," and "My children only speak Japanese at home. They cannot speak Korean at all. We are raising them as a completely Japanese household."
It was also revealed that he served as a councilor of the Daetong Friendship Association, a pro-Japanese organization established in Seoul in 1919. Yi Wan-yong, a representative pro-Japanese collaborator, was also a member of this group.
The agency had previously clarified on the 10th that while Ha-young's great-grandfather was indeed Ahn Sang-ho, the allegations spreading online regarding his pro-Japanese activities were unfounded.
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