▲ This screenshot shows actor Ha Young appearing in an episode of the KBS talk show "Problem Child in House." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This image, taken from actor Ha Young's social media account, shows a handwritten letter she posted following a recent controversy involving her great-grandfather. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- Actor Ha Young apologized Wednesday over allegations surrounding her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea, saying she was "sincerely sorry" as his descendant.

The actor issued the apology in a handwritten letter posted on her social media account, a day after her agency acknowledged that her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho (1872-1927) was a member of an organization that allegedly took part in pro-Japanese activities.

"I had only partially known about my great-grandfather's life through stories told by my family," she said. "I am ashamed, that despite my ignorance, I had spoken on many occasions about him as a source of family pride."

"I believe the fact that I had not known about it cannot be an excuse for disregarding or lightly considering that history. I take that mistake heavily and as a descendant, I am sincerely sorry," the actor said.

While appearing on an episode of the KBS talk show "Problem Child in House" last week, Ha Young mentioned how her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan as she explained that medical practice spans across four generations in her family.

The remarks prompted public scrutiny of Ahn's activities during the colonial period. The controversy erupted just days before Liberation Day, which is marked on Aug. 15.

Ha's agency initially dismissed allegations concerning her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese ties as "groundless."

But on Tuesday, it apologized on behalf of the actor for causing concerns and confirmed the existence of historic records that carry his name as a member of the organization in 1916.

Going forward, Ha Young vowed to deeply reflect on her family's history and take actions to respect and devote herself to people who have striven for the country's liberation.

Following the controversy, the episode where she mentioned her family's past, as well as advertising videos of the actor promoting products for companies, including Samsung Electronics, were switched to private.

Ha Young made her debut with "Doctor Prisoner" (2019) and has since appeared in hit Netflix shows, such as "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" (2025), "Boyfriend on Demand" (2026) and "Teach You a Lesson" (2026).

She also appeared in the rom-com series "Our Sticky Love," released last week.

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