As controversy continues over pro-Japanese activities surrounding actor Ha Young's great-grandfather, An Sang-ho, the story of an office worker who said they are also a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator is drawing attention online.
According to online communities on the 13th, A, who works as a nurse, recently revealed the family history. A said that while watching the film "Assassination" with family, the pro-Japanese character played by actor Lee Kyung-young reminded them of their great-grandfather.
A said that while watching the scene where Kang In-guk, played by Lee Kyung-young, tries to obtain gold mine mining rights, A heard from their father, "That person with the gold mine mining rights was your great-grandfather."
The father also reportedly did not initially know that his own father had engaged in pro-Japanese activities. A explained that the family believed the great-grandfather had rendered great service to the country and obtained the gold mine mining rights.
However, A's father wondered, "How did one obtain gold mine mining rights in that era?" and searched for related records himself, and in the process learned of the great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities.
A also mentioned Ha Young's recent case that sparked controversy. A wrote, "It is true that one should have reflected on it personally," adding, "If parents always spoke proudly about it, one might have lived with a sense of pride and not even thought to look it up."
A then said they, too, are a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, arguing, "It is right that the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators should not live well," and, "Karma inevitably returns to the descendants."
A said the father has suffered from depression while working as a day laborer after a business failure, and other relatives are also living difficult lives.
About the job, A wrote, "Even when I encounter very difficult and rude patients, I work twice as hard, thinking I am settling my ancestors' karma," adding, "Because karma returns one way or another."
A added that people who have been wealthy for generations should check their family roots themselves, saying, "We must reflect on what absolutely requires reflection and live our lives accordingly."
This story emerged as controversy grew over Ha Young's family history ahead of Liberation Day.
On the 7th, Ha Young appeared on KBS 2TV variety show "Problem Child in House" and introduced herself as being from a "fourth-generation family of doctors," saying, "My great-grandfather opened the first Western-style clinic in Hanyang and treated Emperor Gojong."
It later became known that Ha Young's great-grandfather was An Sang-ho, and suspicions of pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period were raised. As records confirmed that An Sang-ho served in 1916 as a councilor of the Taisho Friendship Association, which included pro-Japanese figures, the controversy grew.
On the 12th, Ha Young apologized in a handwritten letter, saying, "I learned of my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities," and, "As a descendant, I sincerely apologize."