What did Hayoung say? K-drama star apologises over great-grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese ties

South Korean actress Hayoung has apologised after records surfaced linking her great-grandfather, Dr Ahn Sang Ho, to an organisation associated with Japan-Korea assimilation during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea.

The controversy began after Hayoung discussed her family’s medical history on the variety programme Problem Child in House on August 7.

She said, “My great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and opened the first Western-style clinic in Hanyang. I heard he even treated Emperor Gojong.”

Viewers subsequently identified her great-grandfather as Ahn Sang Ho. Historical records cited in the report indicate that he was listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916, an organisation formed to promote Japan-Korea assimilation.

Hayoung’s agency, Bistus Entertainment, initially dismissed the allegations as groundless on August 10. However, it changed its position the following day after reviewing historical records.

The agency said, “First, we would like to address our previous statement that the reports were groundless. Upon further verification, we have confirmed that there is indeed an existing record of her great-grandfather, doctor Ahn Sang Ho, being listed as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916.”

Taking to Instagram herself, Hayoung posted a handwritten note claiming she had previously known only fragments of her great-grandfather’s life through family stories and acknowledged that she had spoken about him as a source of family pride without fully understanding his past.

She wrote, “Taking this incident as an opportunity, I began to research relevant materials myself and discovered my great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities.”

Hayoung also addressed her agency’s initial response, which described the allegations as baseless before the company later confirmed the historical record.

“I believe it is also my fault that an incorrect statement was conveyed without sufficient verification. I sincerely apologize for causing further confusion and hurt as a result,” she wrote.

She added that she would study her family history and Korea’s colonial-era history more carefully, pledging to put her words into practice “through actions, not just words”.

The controversy has affected promotions for Ha Young’s lead role in Our Sticky Love, which co-stars Jung Hae In. A scheduled August 14 round-table event was cancelled, according to Korean media reports.

Hayoung is also attached to upcoming projects including There’s a Winning Chance and the second season of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.