As controversy over actress Ha Young (33, real name Ahn Ha-young)'s great-great-grandfather's alleged collaboration with Japan continues, past remarks by actor Song Il-kook (54), the great-grandson of Independence Movement hero General Kim Jwa-jin, are being re-examined.
Song Il-kook appeared on MBN's 'Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night' last May and spoke about families of independence activists.
When asked if his three sons understood their gratitude toward their ancestors, Song began by saying, "They don't know well yet. I only came to understand the meaning of such things after turning 30."
He added, "I heard over and over, 'At least do not do anything that would tarnish your grandfather (Kim Jwa-jin)'s name,' until it stuck in my ears like a nail," and joked, "I tell my children, 'The moment you make a mistake, five generations will be wiped out.' General Kim Jwa-jin, Grandfather Kim Du-han, Grandmother Kim Eul-dong, me as your father, and my mother, who is a high-ranking public official."
Regarding the fact that he is a descendant of General Kim Jwa-jin, he said, "To the outside world, he is a hero, but viewed as the head of a family, there is no greater enemy than this."
He said, "They lived in a 99-room mansion in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province. By today's standards, that would be comparable to the CEO of a mid-sized company," and added, "In an instant, they disposed of all their assets and donated the house to become a school. The family was left as if thrown onto the streets."
He then emphasized, "The ironic thing is that collaborators were actually more family-oriented. In contrast, descendants of independence activists struggled not only with education but even with making a living. I believe this is why we must treat descendants of those who contributed to Korea's independence well."
Song Il-kook also shared an anecdote about visiting the National Cemetery after his marriage. He said, "After getting married, my mother-in-law took me by the hand to the National Cemetery and told me to bow before a small gravestone, saying it was her father who died during the Korean War."
He continued, "She told us not to forget that while there were heroes like General Kim Jwa-jin, victory in war was possible only because of countless nameless soldiers, which gave me goosebumps. 'Our country was built on the sacrifices of countless people, yet we only think of heroes like my grandfather. We must not forget the countless unnamed sacrifices beneath them,' she added."
Earlier, on the 7th, Ha Young appeared on KBS 2TV's 'Problem Children in the Attic' and introduced herself as coming from a family of doctors for four generations, stating that her great-great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and older sister all pursued careers in medicine.
Following the broadcast, it was revealed that Ha Young's great-great-grandfather was named Ahn Sang-ho, bringing to light his activities during the Japanese colonial period. Controversy spread after records surfaced showing that Ahn Sang-ho was listed as a councilor of the Daetong Friendship Association, a pro-Japanese organization established in 1916.
Ha Young's agency initially issued a statement denying the allegations regarding her great-great-grandfather's collaboration with Japan, but later reversed its position and apologized. Ha Young also publicly released a handwritten apology letter and apologized.
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