Ha Young apologizes over great-grandfather’s controversy
MANILA, Philippines – Rising Korean star Ha Young on Wednesday issued a handwritten apology letter involving the issue surrounding her great-grandfather’s connection to the Japanese colonial era.
The “Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” star is currently receiving a backlash for talking about her great-grandfather’s past as a point of family pride in one of her guestings.
The issue started when the "Our Sticky Love" star talked about the four generations of doctors in her family in the KBS show “Problem Child in House.”
She said that her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and was one of the first to open Western clinics in the capital Seoul. She also said that her great-grandfather treated South Korean monarch, Emperor Gojong, who ruled from 1852 to 1919 first as the 26th king of the Joseon dynasty and later as the first emperor of the Korean empire.
Viewers of the show learned that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, whose actions under the Japanese colonial rule were labeled as collaborator.
“I deeply apologize for the great disappointment and hurt caused by my ancestors. Recently, upon learning about my great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's past actions, I have been looking back on the family's history with a heavy heart,” the actress wrote in Korean and as translated in English.
“Until now, I had only heard about my ancestors' lives through stories passed down through the family. Unfortunately, I have shamefully brought up stories about my great-grandfather in various places as if they were the family's pride,” she continued.
The actress said that the incident made her aware of her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities. She also acknowledged her lack of verification to correct information when the controversy erupted. She apologized for the misstep.
“I regret that I mentioned the family history lightly without properly understanding the history of our country during the Japanese colonial period, which was a painful time… I also apologize again for the delay in expressing my position, as I was unable to clearly convey my intention to apologize due to the seriousness of the matter and my own shortcomings,” she said, stressing that it is not an excuse that her lack of knowledge should not be used to take the issue lightly.
“I sincerely apologize for my mistake and as a descendant, I deeply regret it… I will deeply reflect on this matter. I will look closely at the history of our family and the era, and I will be more careful in dealing with history in the future. I will also study our history deeply and do my best to serve with respect for the independence fighters and all those who worked hard for the liberation and peace of our country. I will put my actions into practice, not just words. I sincerely apologize to everyone who has given me encouragement once again,” she ended.
Her agency, Bistus Entertainment, released a statement on Tuesday apologizing for the initial denial.
"Regarding our earlier statement claiming the allegations were 'groundless,' secondary verification confirmed that the name of her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, does indeed appear on the 1916 counselor roster of the Daejeong Friendship Association," the agency said on Tuesday, August 11, as reported on Korea Times.
South Korea reports cited a December 1918 article on Maeil Sinbo, the official newspaper of the Japanese colonial government in Korea, where the older Ahn said that his household was “completely assimilated.” He was quoted as saying that they were wearing Japanese clothes, married a Japanese woman, and prohibited speaking Korean at home.
The Daejeong Friendship Association is a business organization founded in 1916 by Japanese collaborators.
Korea was ruled by the Empire of Japan from 1910 to 1945. It was a period marred by severe human rights violations and systemic exploitation, including an estimated one million Koreans forcibly drafted into hard labor in Japanese mines and Japanese military and tens and thousands of Korean women forced into sexual slavery.
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