Actress Ha Young's agency apologizes over pro-Japanese collaborator controversy

An apology has been issued by the agency of actress Ha Young after initially denying allegations that her great-grandfather was a pro-Japanese collaborator. The agency, Vister's Entertainment, admitted in a statement on the 11th that they "hastily responded with 'no factual basis' without sufficient verification, causing confusion." They confirmed that the name of Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, does indeed appear on a 1916 roster for the "Daejeong Chinmokhoe" (Great Japan Friendship Association).

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We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by responding hastily with 'no factual basis' without sufficient verification.

The agency acknowledged the need for "thorough verification" when presenting historical facts and individual histories to the public. The Daejeong Chinmokhoe was a pro-Japanese organization established in Seoul in 1916, with Lee Wan-yong serving as its advisor. The agency stated that Ha Young is "very heavy-hearted" about the controversy that arose unintentionally after she mentioned her family's four-generation medical career during a recent TV appearance.

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We deeply realized through this incident how much careful verification is needed when conveying historical facts and the history of an individual to the public.

Ha Young had stated on the KBS entertainment show 'Problem Child in House' that her family has been in the medical profession for four generations. She mentioned that her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and was one of the first doctors to open a practice in Hanyang (Seoul), even attending to King Gojong. Her grandfather, father, and sister are also doctors. The controversy emerged after it became known that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, who was active as a doctor during the Japanese colonial period. While not listed in the pro-Japanese figures dictionary compiled by the Research Institute for National Issues, his family was featured in the December 10, 1918, issue of the Government-General's official newspaper 'Maeil Shinbo' under the title 'The Family of Doctor Ahn Sang-ho, Who Has Completely Assimilated into Japan,' as an exemplary case of "Naeseon Ilche" (Japan-Korea assimilation).

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Ha Young is also deeply reflecting on causing concern with this incident and will approach matters with a more cautious and humble attitude in the future.