Actor Ha-young's great-grandfather has been embroiled in allegations of pro-Japanese actions, while her grandfather is reported to be Professor An Bu-ho, who worked on leprosy treatment. However, critics say Ha-young's lack of historical awareness shown in her remarks and actions is a bigger problem.
Widely known as a "fourth-generation medical family," actor Ha-young's great-grandfather was identified as An Sang-ho. On the 10th, her agency said, "It is correct that Ha-young's great-grandfather is An Sang-ho."
An Sang-ho completed specialized medical education in Japan in 1902 and obtained qualifications, then returned in 1904 and opened a clinic in Jongno 3-ga. In 1919 there is a record that he treated Emperor Gojong together with Japanese medical staff. Based on this alone he could be regarded as an outstanding figure, but according to past Maeil Shinbo articles, points such as emphasizing Japanese-style living surfaced, raising questions about pro-Japanese actions. Ha-young's side explained that it was "groundless" and that there are parts that differ from the facts, but as past newspaper articles and documentary content have been uncovered one by one, the "groundless" position appears to be losing credibility.
Meanwhile, it became known that Ha-young's grandfather is An Bu-ho, who was from Sorokdo and worked on leprosy treatment. After graduating from Gyeongseong Medical Specialized School, An Bu-ho served as a professor in the department of pathology at Chonnam National University College of Medicine and built the foundation of clinical pathology in Korea, and he is reported to have devoted himself to eradicating leprosy and treating patients at the National Sorokdo Hospital from 1949.
However, the grandfather's "devotion" could not cover up the great-grandfather's "allegations of pro-Japanese actions." Moreover, contents revealed on the SBS Tails of Tales in April showed that from 1916 Hansen's disease patients were forcibly confined to Sorokdo by Japanese imperialism, and that forced isolation, sterilization surgeries and abortions continued into the 1970s and that vasectomies continued until 1992. Victims suffered until they won a Supreme Court victory in a 2013 government compensation lawsuit.
Simple claims of being "groundless" without specific evidence or details could not erase the activities that have emerged so far. Rather, she is receiving more criticism, being called "soulless."
Some argue that it is harsh to apply collective punishment for her great-grandfather's actions to Ha-young herself. However, this is an era in which dramas are canceled over historical distortion controversies, and entertainers who spoke without knowing their ancestors' deeds deeply apologize. If this were the first time Ha-young mentioned her great-grandfather, it might be different, but Ha-young has previously emphasized and taken pride in coming from a family of doctors through variety show appearances and interviews. Having debuted in 2019 and marking her seventh year since debut this year, it is hard for Ha-young to avoid criticism that she lacked historical awareness.
Ha-young will face reporters on the 14th through a Netflix interview for Our Sticky Love. Ha-young, facing the biggest crisis of her career in the entertainment industry, is drawing attention over what position she will take.
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