Band Hyukoh is facing controversy surrounding the family history of the Japanese actor starring in the music video for their upcoming comeback, their first in six years.

Hyukoh is set to release their new single "Godspeed!" at 6 p.m. today. This marks their first new music in approximately six years since the EP "Through Love" released in 2020, capturing the repetitive daily routine and the accumulating lethargy within it in an honest and straightforward language. Ahead of the release, the music video unveiled yesterday features acclaimed Japanese actor Sakura Ando, known both domestically and internationally for her performances in films such as "Shoplifters," "Monster," and "100 Yen Love."

While praise for the artistic quality and acting performance has been relatively positive, criticism has emerged regarding a domestic musician featuring Sakura Ando as the female lead after it was re-examined that her great-grandfather is Inukai Tsuyoshi, who served as Japan's 29th Prime Minister.

Inukai Tsuyoshi served as prime minister from 1931 to 1932, and published an article titled "How to Civilize Joseon" in the 19th issue of the magazine "Nihonjin" in April 1894. The writing is known to contain derogatory remarks about Koreans, with sentiments such as, "For the sake of noble Japanese, foolish Koreans, who lack refined minds but possess strong bodies, must labor."

This casting comes under scrutiny at a sensitive time following recent controversies involving actor Ha-young's great-grandfather. Comments on the music video included reactions such as, "Did they really have to cast an actor with such a family history for a video released right after Liberation Day?" and "I was looking forward to new music after six years, and it's upsetting to see it caught up in this kind of controversy."

Meanwhile, Hyukoh's new single "Godspeed!" will be available across all major music streaming platforms starting at 6 p.m. today.



(Photo: Yonhap News) (SBS E! News, Reported by Kang Kyung-윤)