South Korean actor Ha Young is facing intense public scrutiny after historical records surfaced linking her great-grandfather to a colonial-era organization associated with Japan-Korea assimilation efforts. The controversy has emerged just as the actor prepares to promote her first starring role, raising significant questions about how this historical baggage might impact her career trajectory and upcoming projects.
Ha Young has gained notable recognition through her work on high-profile Netflix titles, including Our Sticky Love, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, and Teach You a Lesson. Interest in her first leading role in the drama Our Sticky Love intensified following the discovery of records identifying her great-grandfather, Dr. Ahn Sang Ho, as a member of a group active during the Japanese colonial period.
The situation began on the variety show Problem Child in House, which aired on August 7. In that episode, Ha Young discussed her family’s medical lineage spanning four generations and touched on her great-grandfather’s career. She did not name him outright, but viewers quickly pieced together that she was referring to Dr. Ahn Sang Ho.
During the broadcast, she stated: “My great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and opened the first Western-style clinic in Hanyang. I heard he even treated Emperor Gojong.” That comment sent people digging into Ahn Sang Ho’s past and his activities under Japanese colonial rule.
According to historical accounts referenced in coverage of the story, Ahn Sang Ho trained in medicine in Japan and became the first Korean to earn a Japanese medical license. Records also point to his marriage to a Japanese woman and his embrace of certain Japanese customs, which further fueled the public backlash.
A 1918 interview in the Maeil Sinbo newspaper has also drawn significant attention. In that interview, he reportedly referred to himself as “like a Japanese” and claimed he did not wear traditional Korean clothing, a detail that has drawn sharp criticism from the public.
The most intense criticism centers on his reported membership in the Daejeong Chinmokhoe. Historical records indicate that Ahn Sang Ho was listed as a council member of the organization in 1916. Established during the period of Japanese colonial rule, the group was associated with efforts to promote closer ties between Koreans and Japanese. A 2007 academic paper described it as “a Japan-Korea assimilation organization aimed at endorsing the Governor-General’s politics and harmonizing the Japanese and Korean ethnicities.”
Bistus Entertainment, Ha Young’s agency, initially pushed back against the reports on August 10, labeling them as baseless. However, the agency reversed its position a day later after conducting a more thorough investigation into the historical record.
The updated statement, as translated by Soompi, read in part: “First, we would like to address our previous statement that the reports were groundless. Upon further verification, we have confirmed that there is indeed an existing record of her great-grandfather, doctor Ahn Sang Ho, being listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily responding that the reports were groundless without sufficient verification.”
Regarding Ha Young’s reaction, the agency noted: “During a recent appearance on a broadcast program, actress Ha Young mentioned her family’s four-generation legacy in the medical field while responding to a question. The actress herself is feeling very heavy-hearted that this has unintentionally led to controversy. Through this incident, our company has deeply realized how much careful verification is required when conveying historical facts and an individual’s background to the public. Actress Ha Young also deeply takes to heart the concern caused by this incident, and she will approach her future activities with a more cautious and humble attitude.”
The fallout has already impacted the promotion of Our Sticky Love, where she co-stars with Jung Hae In. Korean media outlets report that a round-table press interview, originally set for August 14—the day before National Liberation Day—has been cancelled. Additionally, reruns of her Problem Child in House appearance have been pulled, and some advertisements featuring the actress have been taken private.
Looking ahead, Ha Young is slated to star opposite Lee Je Hoon in the SBS legal comedy There’s a Winning Chance, scheduled for a 2027 release. A representative for the production told XportsNews: “There’s a Winning Chance has already completed a significant portion of filming.” She also remains attached to The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call Season 2, where she is set to reunite with Ju Ji Hoon, Choo Young Woo, and Yoon Kyung Ho.
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The show centers on an unconventional law firm tackling supposedly unwinnable cases — Lee Je Hoon plays a disbarred lawyer running a struggling practice, while Ha Young plays a young attorney from a modest background.
Filming is already well underway, and the network says production continues as it watches how things unfold.
We ask for your understanding as it is difficult to provide specific details regarding the amount filmed or the exact production progress at this time.
We are aware of the matter and are closely monitoring how the situation develops.
If there are any updates, we will share them.”
Seasons two and three are reportedly being shot back-to-back, with filming expected to start in October.
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