"Grateful for Today's Freedom": Park Hwanhee to Throw Liberation Day First Pitch - Which Celebrities Are Descendants of Independence Activists?

From Park Hwanhee to Han Suyeon, Yoon Joobin, and Kim Jiseok

Growing Interest in Descendants of Independence Activists Ahead of Liberation Day

In commemoration of the 81st Liberation Day, actress Park Hwanhee, granddaughter of the late independence activist Ha Jongjin, will take the mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Amid ongoing controversy over the behavior of some celebrities’ ancestors during the Japanese occupation, the family histories of celebrities who are descendants of independence activists and have quietly pursued their careers are being revisited.

Park Hwanhee and Teacher Ha Jongjin in the teaser of '100 Years of Spring.' KBS

First, LG Twins will host a ceremonial first pitch event to wish for victory during a three-game weekend series against SSG Landers, to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul from August 14 to August 16. On Liberation Day itself, August 15, Park Hwanhee will be the ceremonial pitcher. Park’s maternal grandfather, Ha Jongjin, was a recognized independence merit recipient who dedicated himself to the anti-Japanese movement during the colonial period. In March 1919, during the Independence Movement demonstration in Ahnui-myeon, Hamyang County, Gyeongnam, he distributed Taegukgi flags to the crowd and took part in the demonstration. In 1922, he led a student strike at Daegu High School of Commerce.

In 1923, he led a strike in protest of ethnic discrimination at the Gyeongseong Electric Tram Company and was subsequently imprisoned in Seodaemun Prison. In 1925, together with his comrades, he formed an underground society called the “Jinwoo Alliance”. He later attempted to smuggle bombs from Shanghai to attack major administrative offices in Daegu, but was caught by Japanese police during the planning. In recognition of his achievements, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, in 1990. Park Hwanhee said, “I am honored to stand on the mound on such a meaningful Liberation Day. I am grateful for the freedom we enjoy today thanks to my grandfather and other independence activists. I will throw my pitch with all my might and wish for the victory of the LG Twins.”

Renewed Interest in Celebrities’ Family Histories Amidst Controversy Over Hayoung’s Great-Grandfather’s Pro-Japanese Activity

As controversy has arisen over the legacy of actor Hayoung’s great-grandfather, Ahn Sangho, during the Japanese colonial period just before Liberation Day, the family backgrounds of celebrities have become a topic of public interest. At the same time, stories of celebrities who, rather than publicizing their heritage as descendants of independence activists, have quietly honored their ancestors’ legacies through commemorative events and memorial activities are also being highlighted.

First, actress Han Suyeon is also a descendant of a family of independence activists. Her great-great-grandfather Kim Sunoh was a figure who led the militia in the Chungcheong and Jeonbuk areas. Han Suyeon introduced her great-great-grandfather's independence movement through a broadcast. Starit Entertainment

There are quite a few celebrities known as descendants of independence activists, beyond just Park Hwanhee. Actress Han Suyeon is also from a family of independence activists. Her great-great-grandfather, Kim Sunoh, was a leader of militia forces in the Chungcheong and Jeonbuk regions. Han Suyeon has personally introduced her great-great-grandfather’s independence activism through broadcasts, and, as a descendant of a recognized independence merit recipient, has consistently participated in various memorial events.

"I Will Not Forget My Grandfather’s Spirit" - Independence Activist Descendants Hidden in the Entertainment Industry

Singer Chungha’s maternal grandfather is independence merit recipient Kim Yongkeun, known by the pen name Seok-eun. While studying at Soongsil School in Pyongyang, Kim refused the Shinto shrine worship enforced by the Japanese colonial government and, continuing anti-Japanese activism, was arrested twice by the authorities and imprisoned. After Liberation, he also participated in the Korean War and the democratization movement. Chungha has revealed that, wanting to learn more about the history her grandfather lived through, she studied for and attained the highest level on the Korean History Proficiency Test.

Actor Song Ilkook is also a prominent descendant of an independence activist. His great-great-grandfather was General Baekya Kim Jwajin, who led the Battle of Cheongsan-ri. Song has recently shared on broadcasts that, from a young age, his family instilled in him not to tarnish the name of General Kim Jwajin. The grandfather of actor Bae Seongwoo and broadcaster Bae Seongjae was independence activist Shin Youngho. During the March 1st Movement in 1919, Shin acquired copies of the Declaration of Independence and organized participation among students in Cheongju, Chungbuk. While printing copies of the Declaration and warning letters, he was arrested by Japanese authorities and imprisoned.

Actor Yoon Joobin is the great-grandson of patriot Yun Bonggil. Yun Bonggil was a prominent independence activist who, in 1932, carried out an uprising at Hongkou Park in Shanghai, China, to proclaim Korea's will for independence to the international community. KBS

Actor Yoon Joobin is the great-grandson of independence activist Yun Bonggil. Yun is one of Korea’s most prominent independence activists, who orchestrated the Hongkou Park bombing in Shanghai, China, in 1932, bringing international attention to Korea’s drive for independence. In 2019, Yoon Joobin drew attention by reading a letter written by independence activist Sim Hun to his mother from prison during the centennial March 1st Movement ceremony. At that time, he stated, “I will not forget my grandfather’s spirit and will always remember him.”

Actor Kim Jiseok’s grandfather is independence activist Kim Seongil, who moved to Manchuria at a young age to join groups such as the Korean Independence Volunteer Corps and formed a connection with Kim Koo. He was reportedly arrested and tortured by the Japanese authorities shortly after Yun Bonggil’s 1932 Hongkou Park operation in Shanghai. Kim Jiseok has shared these family stories on various broadcasts. Broadcaster Son Bumsoo’s grandfather, Son Giup, was also a recognized independence merit recipient who fought for armed independence in China. Actor Choi Bulam has likewise shared on broadcasts the story of his father, Choi Cheol, who participated in the independence movement in China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.