Why Now? As Ha Young Leaves "Major Trauma Center," Netflix Japan Releases Special Video

Handwritten Apology After Confirmation of Daejeong Friendship Association Record
Further Fallout: Advertisements Made Private, Interviews Canceled, and Exit from Upcoming Projects

Following the controversy over actress Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, and his activities during the Japanese colonial era, Ha Young has stepped down from the upcoming season of Netflix's hit series "Major Trauma Center." Amid this, it has drawn attention that Netflix Japan recently released a special video focusing solely on Ha Young.

Previously, on August 28, Netflix Japan released a roughly four-minute video titled "Strong and Flexible Characters Living True to Themselves, Played by Ha Young" on its official YouTube channel. The video features key scenes from works Ha Young has appeared in, such as the Netflix series "This Damn Love," "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," "Monthly Boyfriend," and "True Education." The thumbnail displays Ha Young's face from all four productions side by side.

Previously, Netflix Japan released a video titled "Strong and Flexible Characters Living True to Themselves Portrayed by Hayoung," lasting about 4 minutes, on their official YouTube channel on the 28th of last month. YouTube channel "Netflix Japan"

Netflix Japan emphasized the independent female characters portrayed by Ha Young, introducing her as someone who captivates viewers by expressing the strength and flexibility of individuals living life on their own terms. With ongoing controversy about Ha Young in South Korea, various reactions have emerged online to the Japanese official channel's prominent spotlight on the actress. Especially noteworthy is that the video's release coincided with the time Ha Young was facing intense backlash over her great-grandfather's actions during the colonial era.

The controversy began when Ha Young appeared on KBS 2TV variety show "Problematic Men in the Rooftop Room" on the 7th of last month and introduced herself as being from a "fourth-generation family of doctors." During the broadcast, Ha Young shared family history, saying her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and practiced as a doctor in Korea. After the broadcast, it became known that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, a doctor during the colonial era, and questions were raised about his past activities.

Bsters Entertainment, Ha Young's agency, initially denied the related allegations as “groundless,” but retracted its statement a day later. Upon further review, they admitted it was confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho’s name actually appears on the list of council members of the Daejeong Friendship Association in 1916, and apologized for having responded hastily without sufficient verification.

He is speaking at the production presentation of the new Netflix series "This Terrible Love," held in early August at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Service

The Daejeong Friendship Association was a group promoting so-called "Korean-Japanese Harmony" during the colonial era. Records from the Police Bureau of the Governor-General of Korea also evaluated this group as being established to recognize the governor’s administration and promote harmony between Korean and Japanese peoples. The controversy intensified when it surfaced that Ahn Sang-ho was among the medical staff who treated Yi Wan-yong after he was seriously injured by independence activist Lee Jaemyung in 1909. However, simply participating as medical staff does not, by itself, define one’s political activity; furthermore, Ahn Sang-ho’s name does not appear in the "Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators" published by the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities.

As the controversy grew, Ha Young also personally apologized. On August 12, she posted a handwritten letter on her social media, stating that she had only a partial understanding of her great-grandfather’s life based on family accounts, and discovered his "pro-Japanese actions" as she researched related historical materials herself. She reflected on having mentioned her family history as a point of pride without fully understanding the facts, acknowledged her fault, and expressed her apology as a descendant. She also pledged to study Korean history more deeply and put what she learns into practice.

The controversy began when Hayoung appeared on the KBS 2TV entertainment program Problem Children of the Rooftop Room on the 7th of last month and introduced herself as coming from a "fourth-generation family of doctors." KBS

However, the repercussions did not subside easily even after the apology. Promotional interviews for "This Damn Love," starring Ha Young and Jung Hae-in, were canceled, and some advertising videos for Samsung Electronics and the clothing brand Artid featuring Ha Young as a model were made private. "Problematic Men in the Rooftop Room" also made the replay and related YouTube videos of the episode featuring Ha Young and her family history private.

Ultimately, the fallout extended to her next project. On September 1, Netflix officially confirmed that Ha Young would not be appearing in the upcoming season of "Major Trauma Center." Netflix stated, "Out of respect for the actor's position, Ha Young will not be participating in the new season of 'Major Trauma Center'." It was reported that Ha Young's side first conveyed her intention to withdraw to the producers.

Attention has also turned to the fate of another upcoming project, the SBS drama "We Have a Chance." Ha Young is the lead in this drama, with most filming having already been completed, and its release is planned for next year. Given that much of the shooting is finished, replacing the actor, as was possible for "Major Trauma Center," would be difficult.

Amidst all this, the fact that Netflix Japan has released a special video centered on Ha Young has drawn renewed attention to the differing responses toward Ha Young at home and abroad. However, some believe that since the video may have been planned and produced in advance, it is premature to directly link its release to the current controversy. As of now, Netflix Japan is not known to have made a formal statement regarding any connection between the video's planning or release timing and Ha Young's controversy.

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