Ha Young's great-grandfather An Sang-ho, the 'core pro-Japanese logic' that justified treason: Full text of interview sparks controversy [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actress Ha Young (33, real name Ahn Ha-young) faced backlash for being labeled a "descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators" after boasting about her family's four-generation legacy as doctors.

Earlier on the 7th, during an appearance on KBS 2TV's variety show "Problem Children in High School," Ha Young stated, "My great-grandfather opened the first Yang (Rep.) clinic in Hanyang and treated patients at Ko Jong (황제)," proudly declaring that her family has been a lineage of doctors for four generations, from her great-grandfather to her grandfather, father, and older sister.

However, following the broadcast, speculation arose that Ha Young's great-grandfather was An Sang-ho, who faced allegations of pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period, sparking controversy. In response, Ha Young's agency, Bisters Entertainment, acknowledged that her great-grandfather's name is indeed Ahn Seong-ho but also issued an official statement saying, "There are parts inconsistent with the facts."

Amid growing debate over Ha Young's ambiguous stance, the original 1918 December 10 interview between An Sang-ho and Maeil Sinbo, a pro-Japanese newspaper, has come under scrutiny. This document is available at the National Library of Korea.

An Sang-ho was featured in an article titled "The Home of Assimilation Between Japan and Korea" (의 가정), which promoted the idea that "living like Japanese people and assimilating into their culture is exemplary." Having married a Japanese wife and established a household, An stated, "I have never worn Korean clothing once, nor can I eat even slightly spicy food," and added, "My children only speak Japanese at home. They cannot speak Korean at all. We are raising them as a fully assimilated Japanese family. Only Japanese is used within the household, and we have no contact with Koreans." He proudly boasted of his complete "Japanization." The policy of "Naisen Ittai" (one nation, one people) was the core pro-Japanese logic used by collaborators during the colonial era to justify their treasonous actions.

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*This content was translated by AI.