Actress Ha Young Steps Down From Netflix Series
Actress Ha Young has officially decided to step down from the upcoming seasons of the hit Netflix series ‘Severe Trauma Center’ following a major controversy surrounding her family history. Netflix confirmed on September 1, 2026, that they respect the actress’s personal decision and she will no longer appear in the subsequent installments of the show. Initially, the production team planned to keep her in the cast for seasons 2 and 3, but the growing public backlash prompted her voluntary departure.
The Pro-Japanese Controversy Explained
The controversy ignited when Ha Young proudly mentioned on various broadcasts that she comes from a four-generation medical family, highlighting her great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and older sister. However, internet users and historians later revealed that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, was listed as a council member of the pro-Japanese Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916 during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Although her agency initially dismissed the claims as groundless, they later issued a formal apology after verifying the historical records.
Public Apology and Career Impact
Following the confirmation, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology admitting she was previously unaware of her family’s historical background and expressing deep remorse for failing to respect South Korea’s painful historical context. Despite her public apology and self-reflection, public criticism remained fierce, demanding her removal from upcoming South Korean television projects. While the production team for SBS’s ‘You Have a Winning Chance’ stated they are still internally discussing the matter, Netflix has confirmed her exit from ‘Severe Trauma Center’, leaving the production schedule and replacement casting under wraps.
