Japan Weighs In: "Descendants of Pro-Japanese Collaborators, a Scarlet Letter"... Controversy over Actor's Great-Grandfather Spirals

JBpress: "Descendant of Pro-Japanese Collaborators, a Scarlet Letter in Korean Entertainment"
FNN: "Verifying Ancestors and Punishing Descendants Are Separate Issues"
Ha Young: "The Wrongdoings of My Great-Grandfather Weigh Heavily... I Sincerely Ap

As controversy continues to surround the pro-Japanese actions of actress Ha Young’s (legal name: An Ha-Young) great-grandfather, An Sang-ho, Japanese media outlets have characterized the criticism directed at Ha Young as both a 'descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator' label and a form of modern 'guilt-by-association.'

Actor Ha Young, whose great-grandfather was involved in pro-Japanese collaboration controversy. Photo by Yonhap News

JB Press, a conservative Japanese outlet, published a column on the 12th titled, "Why Doesn’t Korea Forgive the Descendants of Pro-Japanese Collaborators?" The article noted, "The Korean entertainment industry has long been haunted by a 'scarlet letter'—none other than the stigma of being 'a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators.'"

JB Press questioned the situation where the forebear’s actions become grounds for criticizing descendants. The outlet stated, "Ha did not experience the Japanese occupation period, nor did she ever meet her great-grandfather. Yet, her great-grandfather’s past deeds are now being held against her. It’s truly difficult to understand, but somehow she has come to bear the tag of ‘descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator.’"

JB Press added, "In Korea’s entertainment industry, not only the past actions of the individual but also those of their parents, siblings, and even ancestors are dug up once they become popular. Among these, allegations of a 'pro-Japanese ancestor' are what enrage Koreans the most, regardless of age or gender."

The outlet further referenced similar cases faced by past Korean celebrities, stating, "Korean society not only takes it for granted that the sins of ancestors are passed onto descendants but is also trying to adjudicate even historical expressions by law. What Korean society should truly be wary of may not be forgetting history, but rather the present reality where history becomes a tool to judge those living today."

Japanese Media: "Verifying Ancestors and Sanctioning Descendants Are Separate Issues"

On the same day, Fuji News Network (FNN) also ran a column titled, "The Heavy Meaning of Pro-Japanese Sentiment in Korea." Professor Hiromi Kamoshika, a guest commentator for Fuji TV, reviewed the allegations and suspicions of pro-Japanese conduct raised against An Sang-ho and explained the resulting fallout. "On social media, groundless suspicions spread against Ha, with accusations circulating that she was 'a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator who saved Yi Wan-yong and poisoned Emperor Gojong.' Despite Ha’s apology, intense criticism persists, with demands for her to step down from her acting roles and even retire from the entertainment industry," he reported.

Professor Kamoshika also mentioned South Korea’s awareness of purging pro-Japanese collaborators. He said, "There is a saying in Korea, 'Three generations are ruined for independence activism, but prosper for pro-Japanese collaboration.' The perception that ‘the reckoning of pro-Japanese collaborators was never properly carried out’ is still deeply rooted, so whenever a successful individual’s ancestor faces suspicion of pro-Japanese conduct, it triggers suspicions that ‘descendants have prospered as a result of their forebear’s collaboration.’"

However, he stressed, "Verifying the actions of one’s ancestors and imposing social sanctions upon their descendants are entirely different matters. When an entire slate of television programs and advertisements becomes unreleased due to suspicions about a great-grandfather, that amounts to a modern version of 'guilt-by-association.'"

Kamoshika also argued that the definition of 'pro-Japanese' has broadened. "It is necessary to distinguish between proven conduct and baseless suspicions, between ancestors and descendants, and between historical responsibility and contemporary political attacks. Otherwise, the application of the term 'pro-Japanese' might expand endlessly, and we may lose even the standard for what ought to be criticized and remembered." He continued, "It is important not to forget the past. But we must not let that memory turn into new discrimination or collective attacks. This controversy not only raises questions about how to remember history, but also about whom and to what extent responsibility should be assigned—a difficult issue now confronting Korean society."

Pro-Japanese Allegations Sparked After "Fourth-Generation Medical Family" Comment

On the 7th, actress Ha Young appeared on KBS 2TV's "Problematic Men in the Rooftop Room" and revealed her family background. Photo by KBS

On August 7, Ha Young appeared on KBS 2TV's "Problematic Men in the Rooftop Room," where she revealed that her family has been doctors for four generations. However, after the broadcast, it was reported that her great-grandfather was An Sang-ho (1872–1927), a physician during the Japanese colonial era, prompting suspicions over his pro-Japanese activities.

Her agency, Bisters Entertainment, initially denied the allegations, but on the 11th, acknowledged that An Sang-ho’s name was listed in 1916 as a council member of the Daijeong Friendship Association. On the 12th, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology on social media, stating, "I solemnly take responsibility for my great-grandfather’s wrongdoing and sincerely apologize as a descendant. Embarrassingly, I have spoken about my great-grandfather on numerous occasions as a point of pride for my family while remaining ignorant of these facts."

An Sang-ho is also known to have been active, alongside Yi Wan-yong, in the Daijeong Industrial Friendship Association, a representative pro-Japanese group. He is said to have promoted naisen ittai (Japan-Korea unity) propaganda, even claiming through the Joseon Governor-General’s official publication that he was, in effect, Japanese. Bang Hakjin, secretary general of the Center for Historical Truth and Justice and contributor to the biographical dictionary of pro-Japanese collaborators, noted that An Sang-ho’s actions date back even further. On the August 13 broadcast of YTN Radio's "Jang Sung-chul's News Myungdang," Bang stated, "In 1909, after Dr. Ahn Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the Japanese held a memorial event in Gyeongseong (now Seoul). An Sang-ho's name appeared on the organizing committee at that time."

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