Actress Hayoung Apologizes After Great-Grandfather's Pro-Japanese Activities During the Colonial Period Surface

As actor Hayoung becomes embroiled in controversy over her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese history, her agency has apologized for its hasty initial response and reversed its official stance.

On the 11th, her agency, BISTUS Entertainment, released an official statement regarding the suspicions surrounding Hayoung's late great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, saying, "We are sharing our agency's position regarding the family history of actor Hayoung that was recently reported."

The agency bowed its head, stating, "As a result of additional checks regarding what we previously stated as 'groundless,' we confirmed that records actually exist showing that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, had his name listed on the council member list of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily answering that it was 'groundless' without sufficient verification."

Previously, Hayoung appeared on a variety program and drew attention by revealing her family's four-generation medical background, sharing, "My great-grandfather learned medicine in Japan and was the first Western medical doctor to open a practice in Korea, and he even treated Emperor Gojong."

However, immediately after the broadcast, it was revealed that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, who became the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license during the Japanese colonial period, raising suspicions surrounding his past actions. Interview content from a 1918 article in the Japanese colonial newspaper Maeil Shinbo emphasizing a Japanese lifestyle—such as "I am just like a Japanese person. I don't wear a single piece of Joseon clothing and cannot eat spicy food"—was re-lit. In addition, suspicions involving him in the alleged poisoning at the time of Emperor Gojong's death in 1919 and his history of activities in the pro-Japanese organization "Daejeong Chinmokhoe" came to light, causing the controversy to spread widely.

The agency stated, "Hayoung mentioned her family's four-generation medical family history in the process of responding to questions during a recent broadcast program appearance. The actor herself feels very heavy-hearted that this unintentionally caused a controversy."

They added, "Through this incident, our agency has deeply realized how much careful verification is needed when conveying historical facts and an individual's background to the public. Hayoung also deeply takes to heart the concern caused by this incident, and will approach things with a more cautious and humble attitude moving on."

While some views exist that Hayoung's great-grandfather's pro-Japanese actions cannot be concluded since he was not listed in the Center for Historical Truth and Justice's biographical dictionary of pro-Japanese collaborators, criticisms continue that the agency's hasty denial and reversal of its stance only fueled the controversy.

With Hayoung facing unexpected headwinds as she continued her rising momentum by releasing the new Netflix series "Our Sticky Love" recently, attention is focused on her future moves and the public's gaze.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)