Rising actor Ha Young has personally addressed the growing public outrage surrounding her family history by releasing a handwritten apology regarding her great-grandfather’s documented involvement in a pro-Japanese organization during the colonial era (1910–1945).
On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Ha Young posted a photo of her handwritten letter on social media, taking personal accountability following her agency’s official confirmation of the historical records.
The Origin of the Controversy and Agency Reversal
The backlash began after Ha Young appeared on a television broadcast and spoke positively of her great-grandfather, An Sang-ho, introducing him as a pioneer of Western medicine in Seoul. However, netizens soon uncovered historical documents showing An served as a councilor for Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916—a organization formed to support Japanese colonial rule.
| Key Aspect | Details & Timeline |
| Actor Involved | Ha Young (Our Sticky Love) |
| Ancestor Involved | Great-grandfather An Sang-ho |
| Historical Record | Listed as a councilor of Daejeong Chinmokhoe (1916) |
| Initial Stance | Agency initially denied claims as groundless |
| Personal Action | Released Handwritten Letter Apology on personal social media |
After initially denying the claims, her agency Bistrus Entertainment issued a retraction upon verifying historical archives, apologizing for their hasty statement.
Key Statements from Ha Young’s Handwritten Letter
In her letter, Ha Young expressed deep regret for her ignorance regarding her family’s past and apologized to the public and the memory of independence fighters:
“I am bowing my head in deep apology to everyone who felt disappointed and hurt by my careless remarks and ignorance regarding historical facts.
I grew up hearing only positive stories about my great-grandfather and did not properly know the historical truth. I feel immense shame for boasting about him on air without verifying the facts. I will live with a deep sense of guilt and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for our nation’s freedom.”
— Ha Young’s Handwritten Statement
Heightened Public Sensitivity Ahead of Liberation Day
The timing of the controversy has amplified public scrutiny, occurring just days before South Korea’s National Liberation Day on August 15. In Korean society, public figures boasting about family legacies linked to colonial collaboration face severe moral condemnation.
Through her Actor Ha Young Handwritten Letter Apology, the star aims to take full responsibility for her words, though industry observers note that regaining public trust will require long-term reflection and historical awareness.
