These days leading up to Liberation Day, the entertainment industry is ablaze over controversy surrounding alleged pro-Japanese actions by actor Ha-young's great-grandfather.
The great-grandfather of actor Ha-young, who had been noted as coming from a "fourth-generation medical family," was revealed to have been a council member of a pro-Japanese organization. The agency said, "We have confirmed that a record actually exists showing that great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's name appeared on the 1916 Daijeong Friendship Association council member list. We sincerely apologize for hastily responding that it was 'groundless' without sufficient verification, causing confusion," the agency said.
Ha-young said, "I only knew fragments of my great-grandfather's life from stories passed down through my family. Shamefully, in that ignorant state, I brought up stories about my great-grandfather at various occasions as if they were family pride," and bowed her head, saying, "Through the process of directly looking up related materials prompted by this incident, I learned of my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese actions. I reflect on having lightly mentioned family history without properly knowing the painful history Korea experienced during the Japanese colonial period."
Ha-young's controversy centers not only on her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese actions but also on a larger criticism of her lack of historical awareness. Especially because the timing is just before Liberation Day, the controversy over Ha-young's great-grandfather's pro-Japanese actions is spreading across the entertainment industry. Entertainers who had ancestors with pro-Japanese actions are being called back into the spotlight.
Musician Jeon Beom-seon revealed that he is a fifth-generation descendant of novelist Lee In-jik, who served as interpreter for Lee Wan-yong, a synonym for pro-Japanese traitor, and used it as an opportunity for self-reflection. When Ji-ah's 2025 family dispute over her grandfather Kim Soon-heung's pro-Japanese actions came to light, she drew a clear line and bowed her head, and when Gang Dong-won's great-great-uncle Lee Jong-man's pro-Japanese actions surfaced, Gang Dong-won turned public opinion with responsible actions and an apology.
On the other hand, many entertainers who are descendants of independence activists or national merit recipients are receiving a great deal of support and encouragement.
The grandfather of Lee Ju-seung, who passed away in February, was a national merit recipient who served as an officer in the June 25 War and is known to have served as an elementary school teacher after discharge. Lee Ju-seung was invited to the Blue House on behalf of his late grandfather and spent a meaningful time receiving gifts such as a watch. In addition, Song Il-gook is the great-grandson of General Kim Jwa-jin, who led the Battle of Cheongsanri, and Younha is known to be a descendant of Air Force colonel Kim Joo-ho, who participated in the infiltration of a spy ship to Soheuksando.
Actor Kim Ji-seok's grandfather is known to have been a disciple of teacher Kim Gu named Kim Sung-il, and Chung Ha has been noted as the maternal granddaughter of independence activist and democratization activist Seok Eun Kim Yong-geun. Modyssey member Yi Chen is a descendant of An Jung-geun, and actor Yoon Ju-bin is the direct descendant of Yun Bong-gil, receiving much encouragement for their actions.
The entertainment industry is hotter than ever ahead of Liberation Day.
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