'Controversy over 'Pro-Japanese' Taint' and Ha Young's Controversy: 'There is a Chance' — Filming Set to End on September 3? SBS Says "Coordinating from Multiple Angles" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Ha Young, who is embroiled in controversy over her great-great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese activities, has prompted the production team of her new drama "There Is a Chance" to take a cautious stance amid reports that filming will conclude.

On the 26th, the production team of SBS's new drama "There Is a Chance" stated, "As with our previous position, we are continuing internal discussions."

They further added, "Considering the realistic need to minimize harm to numerous staff and cast members, we are coordinating essential remaining schedules from multiple angles. We kindly ask for your broad understanding as specific details regarding filming arrangements are difficult to confirm at this time."

On that day, MyDaily reported that "There Is a Chance" is approaching its scheduled filming conclusion on September 3, and Ha Young, who plays the lead role in the drama, is expected to continue with the remaining shooting schedule.

Recently, Ha Young has faced intense criticism after being caught up in controversy over her family's alleged pro-Japanese ties. The controversy arose after Ha Young appeared in various entertainment programs and video content, emphasizing that she comes from a "fourth-generation family of doctors," and stating about her great-great-grandfather: "My great-great-grandfather was one of the first to establish Western medicine in Hanyang. After studying medicine in Japan, he opened Korea's first clinic in Hanyang and treated patients."

Following this, online discussions emerged claiming that the great-great-grandfather mentioned by Ha Young in broadcasts was a doctor named Ahn Sang-ho. Ahn Sang-ho graduated from Tokyo Zaisei Medical School in Japan in 1902 and was the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license. He is also known as a figure suspected of pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period.

The fallout has reached Ha Young's upcoming drama, "There Is a Chance." As this project was one that SBS expressed strong confidence in when revealing its 2027 first-half drama lineup, the current controversy involving Ha Young has placed the production in a difficult situation.

In the drama, Ha Young plays Yeo Sim-hee, a rookie lawyer with no money or connections but whose honesty is her greatest asset. The character experiences overwhelming emotion upon seeing the eccentric office manager Kwon Baek (played by Lee Hoon) foreseeing future events, and grows into a respectable lawyer under Kwon Baek's guidance.

However, given "There Is a Chance" deals with themes of justice and law, concerns are growing that viewers may struggle to fully immerse themselves in Yeo Sim-hee's role. Compounding the criticism is the fact that the drama is based on a Japanese original, and its planned premiere date falls around March 1st next year — a day of national significance in Korea.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Joint Research on Korean History pointed to evidence that Ahn Sang-ho served as a preparatory committee member for Ito Hirobumi's memorial service and as an advisory councilor for the Daejeon Friendship Association, an organization promoting integration between Korea and Japan. The institute labeled these actions as "clear pro-Japanese activities." Additionally, the institute highlighted several key pro-Japanese acts by Ahn Sang-ho, Ha Young's great-great-grandfather: participation in memorial services for Ito Hirobumi, the mastermind behind Japan's invasion of Korea; involvement in colonial administration and exploitation institutions; engagement in Korea-Japan integration and pro-Japanese organizations; and internalization of assimilationist ideologies.

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*This content was translated by AI.