Actor Ha-young is withdrawing from The Trauma Code: Heroes on call. The decision came three weeks after controversy over her great-grandfather An Sang-ho being accused of pro-Japanese activity. Meanwhile, her other upcoming project, The Long Shot Trial, is expected to finish filming without recasting.
On the 1st, Netflix issued an official statement saying, "Respecting the actor's position, Ha-young will not appear in the sequel to The Trauma Code: Heroes on call."
In last year's released The Trauma Code: Heroes on call, Ha-young played nurse Cheon Jang-mi and worked alongside Ju Jihoon, Choo Young-Woo and Yoon Kyung-ho. Buoyed by box office success and popularity, production of seasons 2 and 3 was confirmed for The Trauma Code: Heroes on call, and the main cast from season 1 is set to appear as is.
The issue arose last month when Ha-young's great-grandfather was identified as the colonial-era doctor An Sang-ho, and after details of his actions emerged, accusations of pro-Japanese collaboration followed. Initially Ha-young said it was "groundless," but when her great-grandfather's actions became known she bowed and said, "As a descendant, I sincerely apologize."
Attention turned to Ha-young's upcoming projects The Long Shot Trial and The Trauma Code: Heroes on call. Unlike The Trauma Code: Heroes on call, which has not yet begun filming, more than 90% of filming for The Long Shot Trial has been completed.
SBS, the producer of The Long Shot Trial, said, "A substantial portion of the work has already been filmed, and we are aware of the matter (regarding Ha-young's great-grandfather controversy). We are closely monitoring developments. If there is any consolidated information later, we will inform you," the network said.
However, as concerns grew about continuing filming, SBS said, "We are treating the recent matter related to the cast very seriously. We are discussing the issue carefully and from multiple angles with the production company and relevant parties," and added, "We will inform you through official channels as soon as a decision is made."
Ha-young had planned to continue appearing in The Long Shot Trial and the next season of The Trauma Code: Heroes on call, but in the end she left The Trauma Code: Heroes on call on her own. It will not be easy for The Long Shot Trial to proceed with scheduling without regard to public reaction. There has been no change in SBS's position after Ha-young's withdrawal from The Trauma Code: Heroes on call.
The public is watching to see what decision SBS will make about Ha-young's appearance in The Long Shot Trial.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Netflix, SBS
[OSEN]