Today (the 15th), the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day..Ha Young still in the 'descendant of pro-Japanese collaborator' controversy aftermath [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, coincidentally at this time, actor Ha Young (real name Ahn Ha-young) has been thrust into the spotlight amid controversy over her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities.

The 15th is Liberation Day. It is a national holiday commemorating Korea regaining its sovereignty from Japan in 1945 and celebrating the establishment of the Republic of Korea government in 1948.

It is a meaningful day to honor the noble sacrifices of patriots and martyrs who dedicated their lives to reclaiming the nation, but coinciding with this, controversy over descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators has erupted in the entertainment industry, making public sentiment even colder.

Recently, Ha Young has introduced her family as a "fourth-generation doctor's family" in various broadcasts and content, including KBS 2TV's variety program 'Problem Children Are Coming!' in particular, she mentioned that her great-grandfather studied medicine in Japan and was among the first to practice Western medicine in Hanyang, and even treated Ko Jong (황제).

However, it was later claimed online that the great-grandfather Ha Young referred to was Ahn Sang-ho. Ahn Sang-ho is known as the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license after graduating from Tokyo Zaisei Medical School in 1902, but he has also faced suspicions regarding his pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period. The controversy further spread when records surfaced showing that in 1918, Ahn Sang-ho made remarks suggesting he lived like a Japanese person while serving as an institutional investor for Maeil Shinbo, which was then a newspaper.

Ha Young's agency, Bisters Entertainment, initially stated that the allegations regarding her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities were baseless, but later changed its stance after additional verification. The agency apologized, confirming that records exist showing Ahn Sang-ho's name on the 1916 Daetong Friendship Association councilor list.

Ha Young also bowed her head in a handwritten apology statement on the 12th, saying, "I only knew my great-grandfather's life fragmentarily through stories passed down by my family," and added, "In ignorance, I brought up stories about my great-grandfather as if they were family pride. The fact that I was unaware cannot be an excuse to ignore or trivialize history. I take this fault seriously and sincerely apologize as a descendant."

However, even on this day marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, the controversy surrounding Ha Young's great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities does not seem to be settling easily. As criticism continues, attention is also turning toward his future actions.

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*This content was translated by AI.