Amid growing allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration surrounding actor Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, a post from 2013 has resurfaced online. The post claims that Ahn was a physician suspected of poisoning Emperor Gojong.
On August 12, a post from May 2013 was shared on an online community. The author, identified as A, stated, "Our great-grandfather was a physician suspected of poisoning Emperor Gojong. I first learned about this four years ago. His name was briefly mentioned on TV."
A continued, "To be honest, my family has been well-off for generations. I don't know much, but I've heard we've always lived well. Given that we thrived during the Japanese occupation, it seems likely that my great-grandfather and grandfather were pro-Japanese as well." A also expressed frustration, saying, "It's disgusting that I was born into this family."
After this post gained attention, netizens questioned whether Ha Young was unaware of this family history, especially following her father's recent interview addressing the pro-Japanese allegations. Some users noted that Ahn Sang-ho reportedly had multiple children, suggesting that Ha Young might be a cousin of the post's author.
However, the identity of the post's author and their actual familial relationship to Ahn Sang-ho has not been confirmed with the available information. The speculation about their kinship remains unverified.
The renewed interest in this post coincides with the pro-Japanese allegations against Ahn Sang-ho and a recent interview with Ha Young's father, A. In the interview released on August 11, A stated, "I have never connected my great-grandfather's marriage to a Japanese woman with pro-Japanese sentiments."
Despite this clarification, reactions online suggested that A's comments missed the point. The controversy centers not on Ahn's marriage but on his actions during the Japanese occupation and how they should be evaluated. A's use of the term "Japan-Korea annexation" instead of "national humiliation" also sparked debate, as the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has stated that such terms were used by Japan to justify its occupation.
A explained that his initial dismissal of the pro-Japanese allegations as "groundless" was influenced by family stories about Ahn Sang-ho's relationship with the Yi family. He referenced a book titled "Pioneers of Korean Medicine," authored by Jeong Gu-chung, which allegedly includes stories Ahn shared with Yi.
However, this reference has led to further controversy. Jeong Gu-chung is listed in the "Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators" compiled by the Institute for Korean Historical Studies, and records of his activities during the late Japanese occupation are noted in medical history research. To substantiate Ahn's actions, it is necessary to examine not only the book's content but also the sources and testimonies Jeong used.
The controversy surrounding Ha Young's great-grandfather has intensified as she has previously mentioned his legacy in interviews and broadcasts. Ha Young has stated that her family has been in the medical profession for four generations, noting that her great-grandfather studied medicine in Japan and opened a Western medicine clinic in Hanyang, where he treated Emperor Gojong.
Following this, claims that Ahn Sang-ho is indeed Ha Young's great-grandfather have spread online, prompting a reevaluation of his actions during the Japanese occupation.
Ha Young's agency confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho is her great-grandfather but stated that the allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration are "groundless." As the controversy continues, A's interview has sparked additional debate over the expressions and evidence he presented.
Online reactions to the interview included comments like, "This interview is worse than not doing one at all," and "It misses the point entirely. Who has ever said that marrying a Japanese woman is pro-Japanese?" The resurfacing of the 2013 post has also led to questions about why Ha Young claimed ignorance of information that other descendants are aware of.
As of now, there is no objective evidence confirming the familial relationship between the post's author and Ha Young. Therefore, it is difficult to assert the validity of the kinship speculation and the content of the post as representative of Ha Young's family statements or factual circumstances.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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