Ha Young Controversy Explained: Our Sticky Love Actor Apologises over Great-Grandfather’s Alleged Pro-Japanese Ties
Her agency said she regretted a hasty denial after records tied her great-grandfather to pro-Japanese activities during colonial rule.
- On Tuesday, actor Ahn Ha-young issued a public apology via her agency, Bistus Entertainment, retracting an earlier denial regarding her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities during the 1910-45 colonial rule.
- Controversy erupted after Ahn discussed her family's four-generation medical lineage on the KBS variety show "Problem Child in House," prompting internet users to identify her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho.
- Bistus Entertainment confirmed a record exists listing Ahn Sang-ho as a council member of the Daejeong Friendship Association in 1916, contradicting the agency's initial claim that allegations were "without basis."
- Founded in 1916, the Daejeong Friendship Association counted pro-Japanese collaborators Lee Wan-yong and Song Byeong-jun among its members and served as a model for colonial policy aimed at unifying Korea and Japan.
- Criticism also extended to her late grandfather, Ahn Boo-ho, regarding his work at Sorokdo National Hospital, as the agency pledged the actor would adopt a "more cautious and humbler attitude" moving forward.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Who Is Ha Young? South Korean Actress Caught in Controversy Over Great-Grandfather's Alleged Pro-Japanese Past
South Korean actress Ha Young has faced growing criticism after comments about her great-grandfather's medical career triggered controversy over his alleged links to pro-Japanese activities during Japan's colonial rule of Korea. According to reports, the dispute intensified on 11 August 2026, after her agency withdrew its initial dismissal of the allegations and acknowledged historical records connecting her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, to a …
Ha Young controversy explained: Our Sticky Love actor apologises over great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese ties
K-drama actor Ha Young is embroiled in a controversy over her great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese ties, forcing her to cancel Our Sticky Love promotions.
Actor Ha Young apologizes over ancestral history
Actor Ha Young issued a public apology following mounting controversy over her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule. On Tuesday, her agency, Bistus Entertainment, released a statement on behalf of the actor, whose real name is Ahn Ha-young, expressing deep regret for her hasty initial denial and her previous on-air remarks about her family's four-generation medical lineage. "Regarding our earlier …
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