'Great-grandfather's pro-Japanese apology' not enough: Ha Young loses ads, radio cuts ties

Actress Ha Young is facing significant professional repercussions after a controversy erupted regarding her great-grandfather's alleged collaboration with Japanese forces during the colonial era. Despite issuing an apology, the fallout has led to her being dropped from advertisements and public appearances.

LG Uplus, a major telecommunications company, has reportedly made private all advertising videos featuring Ha Young, which were filmed in 2019. While the company has not explicitly stated the reason, the decision is widely believed to be a direct response to the ongoing controversy surrounding her family's history.

This move by LG Uplus follows similar actions by other brands. An apparel brand, Atid, had previously removed content featuring the actress. The controversy has cast a shadow over Ha Young's career, demonstrating the sensitive nature of historical issues and their impact on public figures in South Korea.

Ha Young's apology aimed to address the historical context and express regret for her great-grandfather's actions. However, it appears insufficient to mitigate the damage to her public image and professional engagements, highlighting the challenges celebrities face when historical family controversies surface.