'Traitor' Ha Young Ancestry Controversy... Writer So Jae-won: "It's Terrible; Names That Should Be Condemned Are Being Made Great" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Controversy over actress Ha Young’s family ties to pro-Japanese collaborators shows no sign of fading quickly. Amid this situation, So Jae-won, the writer of the film "Wish," has repeatedly voiced sharp criticism.

On the 12th, writer So Jae-won posted on personal social media: "Regarding Ha Young’s remarks and related articles, I feel not anger but fear. Why should we be afraid? If we forget history, falsehoods become truth. Where treason withers, they will plant seeds of respect. Thus, the cruel chapters of history bloom again as flowers of devotion."

He continued, adding a message: "How terrible is this? When history is forgotten, names that should have grown great vanish, while those that ought to be condemned become celebrated. We must protect history at all costs," delivering a stern warning.

Recently, Ha Young publicly boasted on KBS 2TV’s variety program "Problem Children in High School" and others about her family being a "fourth-generation medical lineage." She stated, "My great-great-grandfather was among the first to introduce Western medicine in Hanyang at that time. After studying medicine in Japan, he opened Korea’s first Yang (Rep.) clinic in Hanyang and treated patients with Ko Jong (황제)."

However, after it emerged that Ha Young’s great-great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, a physician active during the Japanese colonial period, suspicions of pro-Japanese collaboration arose. Following this, further allegations surfaced regarding her grandfather An Bu-ho (Prof.), including his work history at Sorokdo Hospital, intensifying questions about her family’s pro-Japanese ties. Ha Young’s side confirmed that records exist showing Ahn Sang-ho was listed as a council member of the 1916 Daetong Friendship Association and issued an apology.

In response, writer So Jae-won posted on social media: "Now even ancestors with pro-Japanese deeds are treated as sources of pride. Who would have thought we’d live to see someone bragging about a pro-Japanese ancestor? This must be because our history failed to purge such collaborators. If history had truly dealt with pro-Japanese actions, could descendants still speak so boldly?" He publicly targeted Ha Young with this post.

Especially after news spread that Ha Young’s grandfather worked at a hospital in Sorokdo, So Jae-won declared: "For some ordinary people, medicine was a benevolent art that saved lives. But in Sorokdo, it became an instrument of killing. If you are so proud and confident about your ancestors, go to Sorokdo. Confront the tragic history of the Japanese colonial era and what South Korea endured! With your own eyes and ears, verify how your three-inch tongue has trivialized such precious sacrifices and unjust, grievous history!" He launched a fierce condemnation.

As the controversy persisted day after day, Ha Young expressed her apology via personal social media: "The fact that I was unaware of this history does not justify ignoring or downplaying it. I deeply accept this fault and sincerely apologize as a descendant. With the Liberation Day approaching, I feel even more remorseful for causing trouble due to my shortcomings."

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*This content was translated by AI.