Critic Jeong Seok-hee: "Ha Young, though better on air than Jung Jun-won... 'Be careful with your words whether asleep or awake'"

*This content was translated by AI.

Broadcasting critic Jeong Seok-hee pointed out the controversy surrounding actor Ha Young's great-great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's pro-Japanese activities.

Jeong stated on his YouTube channel 'Jeong Seok-hee Television Criticism' on the 15th, "With Liberation Day approaching, pro-Japanese controversies have been heating up. This incident has once again made me acutely aware of the absence of historical consciousness."

He added, "There are opinions such as, 'Why should descendants be held responsible for their ancestors' mistakes? That is harsh,' and 'What kind of collective punishment exists in today's world?' However, this is not about holding descendants accountable for the errors of someone who died 100 years ago. The issue lies in a boastful self-introduction aired on a 2026 broadcast. We know all too well why one would deliberately reveal being from a 'fourth-generation doctor family.'"

He continued, "Ahn Sang-ho, Ha Young's great-great-grandfather, was also caught by his own words." He noted, "At the time, Maeil Sinbo published a series introducing individuals who were well-off through marriage to Japanese people. Ahn Sang-ho's family was included in that series. That is pro-Japanese activity; what else could it be?"

Jeong remarked, "There were many people present at the set of KBS 2TV's variety show 'Problem Children Are Coming!' It is strange that no one recognized the mistake." He added, "Until he brought up that boast about being from a 'fourth-generation doctor family,' Ha Young was performing quite well. Compared to Jung Jun-won, who ruined his broadcast appearance on MBC's variety show 'What Do You Do When You're Bored?', Ha Young was close to a model answer."

He further noted, "He knew the appropriate timing for his entrance and even demonstrated quick wit in considering the host."

However, Jeong stated, "Regardless, I believe parents bear the greatest responsibility for failing to instill historical consciousness in their children. Parents likely lived without much thought, simply boasting about themselves. The lesson learned from this controversy is ultimately the importance of historical education. Furthermore, one must be careful with words whether asleep or awake."

Finally, Jeong emphasized, "We cannot choose our ancestors. This is not about holding descendants accountable for their ancestors' mistakes. While we cannot change the past, we can choose how we face it today. I hope this controversy does not end by simply driving one person into a corner."

Ha Young appeared on 'Problem Children Are Coming!' broadcast on the 7th, mentioning his great-great-grandfather and introducing himself as coming from a four-generation doctor family. However, following the broadcast, criticism poured out regarding his great-great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities, sparking controversy.

In response, Ha Young's side refuted the claims as baseless. However, as the controversy continued, Ha Young issued a handwritten apology stating, "Through this incident, while personally researching related materials, I learned of my great-great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. I regret having lightly mentioned family history without properly understanding Korea's painful past during the Japanese colonial period."

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*This content was translated by AI.