Ha Young apologizes over great-grandfather’s colonial-era record in handwritten letter

South Korean actress Ha Young has publicly apologized in a handwritten letter for previously praising her great-grandfather, who has been identified as a collaborator during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea. The apology came after viewers scrutinized her family history following a recent broadcast where she spoke about her ancestry.

The controversy began when Ha Young appeared on a popular Korean TV show, discussing her family’s legacy of doctors spanning four generations. During this appearance, she mentioned her great-grandfather, An Sang-ho, who was noted for studying Western medicine in Japan and opening one of the first Western clinics in Seoul. Ha also referenced his treatment of Emperor Gojong, presenting these details as points of family pride.

Following this, records and viewer investigations surfaced online revealing that An Sang-ho was affiliated with the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, a pro-Japanese organization operating under colonial rule. This association cast his legacy in a problematic light, as pro-Japanese collaboration remains a deeply sensitive subject in Korea.

Initially, Ha Young’s agency denied the allegations on her behalf, but later confirmed the great-grandfather’s membership in the organization. Ha Young then took to Instagram to post a handwritten apology, acknowledging that she had been unaware of the full extent of her ancestor’s activities and regretted speaking of him as a source of pride without sufficient knowledge.

In her apology, Ha Young expressed deep remorse for the hurt her comments caused, describing her previous understanding of her great-grandfather’s life as fragmented and based solely on family stories. She admitted that her initial responses lacked adequate verification and took responsibility as a descendant for addressing the issue sincerely.

Ha Young also conveyed that her statement was delayed due to hesitation over how to properly express her regret. She emphasized that ignorance about her great-grandfather’s historical role does not excuse overlooking or downplaying the colonial legacy.

Adding a historical and cultural dimension to the timing, Ha Young noted the proximity to Korea’s Liberation Day on August 15, underlining the gravity of the issue and the public sensitivity surrounding colonial-era collaboration.

The actress pledged to deepen her understanding of both her family’s past and the broader history of Japanese colonial rule in Korea. She committed to honoring the memory of independence activists and those who fought for Korean liberation, vowing to take concrete actions rather than merely offering verbal apologies.

As a result of the controversy, a scheduled press interview for Ha Young’s recent Netflix rom-com, "Our Sticky Love," was canceled. This underscores the immediate professional impact of the revelation on her current promotional activities.

The case highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea regarding historical accountability and public memory of colonial collaborations. For artists like Ha Young, family histories can unexpectedly intersect with national narratives, prompting reassessment of personal and public identities.

From a music and entertainment industry perspective, this situation may influence how Ha Young’s work is received, potentially complicating promotional efforts in the short term. Fans and industry stakeholders often expect public figures to address controversies with transparency, and how Ha Young navigates this may affect her relationship with audiences.

Moreover, the swift cancellation of media appearances signals the sensitive balance between personal histories and public careers in Korea’s entertainment sector. As artists increasingly face scrutiny over familial legacies, there may be growing emphasis on thorough background checks and historical awareness in public relations strategies.

Overall, Ha Young’s apology and subsequent commitments represent a step toward acknowledging difficult historical truths. The resolution of this issue and its longer-term consequences for her career remain to be seen, contingent on public response and her actions moving forward.