'Controversy over collaboration with Japan' starring Ha Young in 'There Is a Chance,' rumors of filming wrap on Sept. 3.. SBS "Coordinating from multiple angles" [Star Issue]

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Actor Ha Young, whose great-grandfather is embroiled in controversy over collaboration with Japan, has prompted the production team of her new drama "There Is a Chance" to take a cautious stance amid rumors that filming will conclude.

On the 26th, the production team of SBS's new drama "There Is a Chance" told StarNews, "As before, we are continuing internal discussions."

They added, "Considering the realistic need to minimize harm to numerous staff and cast members, we are coordinating various aspects of remaining essential schedules. 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 wrap on September 3, with Ha Young, who plays the lead role in the drama, expected to continue her remaining shooting schedule.

Recently, Ha Young has faced intense criticism after being caught up in controversy over her family's collaboration with Japan. She appeared in numerous variety shows and video content, emphasizing that she comes from a "fourth-generation family of doctors," and stated regarding her great-grandfather: "My great-grandfather was one of the first to introduce Western medicine in Hanyang. After studying medicine in Japan, he opened Korea's first clinic in Hanyang and treated patients." This statement sparked the controversy.

Subsequently, online discussions emerged claiming that Ha Young's great-grandfather mentioned on broadcast was Dr. Ahn Sang-ho. Ahn graduated from Tokyo Zaisei Medical School in Japan in 1902 and was the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license. He is also a figure suspected of collaborating with Japan during the colonial period.

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

In the drama, Ha Young plays Yeo Sim-hee, a rookie lawyer who lacks both money and connections but relies on her diligence as her strength. The character experiences overwhelming emotion upon seeing the eccentric office manager Kwon Baek (played by Lee Hoon) foreseeing future events, and grows into a proper lawyer under Kwon'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 scheduled premiere falls around March 1st next year, a date closely tied to Korea's independence movement.

Meanwhile, the Institute for Joint Research on Korean History pointed out that Ahn Sang-ho served as a preparatory committee member for Ito Hirobumi's memorial service and as an advisory councilor of the Daejeong Friendship Association, an organization promoting integration between Korea and Japan, labeling these actions as "clear collaboration with Japan." The institute also highlighted several key collaborative acts by Ha Young's great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho: participation in memorials for Ito Hirobumi, the mastermind behind Japan's invasion; involvement in colonial administration and exploitation institutions; activities promoting Korean-Japanese integration and collaboration; and internalization of assimilationist policies.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original