South Korean actress Ha Young and her agency, BISTUS Entertainment, faced intense public scrutiny following remarks made during an appearance on a television broadcast regarding her family’s history, which touched upon Korea’s colonial period. The controversy centers on statements made on the KBS2 program “Problem Child in House,” where the actress discussed her family background and lineage.
During the broadcast, Ha Young shared that four generations of her family have worked in the medical profession, spanning from her great-grandfather and grandfather to her father and older sister. According to her statements on the show, her great-grandfather studied medicine in Japan before opening a Western-style clinic in Hanyang (Seoul) and treating Raja Gojong.
Following the broadcast, online speculation linked the described great-grandfather to doctor Ahn Sang Ho. Subsequent records indicated that a person by that name was listed as a board member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, an organization associated with pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, which triggered widespread backlash among South Korean internet users.
Agency Responses and Apologies
On Monday, August 10, BISTUS Entertainment issued an initial statement addressing the public reaction, asserting that allegations regarding Ahn Sang Ho’s purported pro-Japanese activities were unfounded. However, the agency shifted its stance the following day.
On Tuesday, August 11, BISTUS Entertainment released a formal apology. According to Soompi, the agency stated, “Kami dengan tulus meminta maaf karena telah menimbulkan kebingungan dengan tergesa-gesa menanggapi bahwa laporan tersebut ‘tidak berdasar’ tanpa verifikasi yang memadai,” or in English translation, “We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily responding that the reports were ‘unfounded’ without adequate verification.”
The agency added that Ha Young felt deeply distressed that her family anecdotes unintentionally sparked a public controversy. BISTUS Entertainment acknowledged the necessity of rigorous historical verification when discussing personal and family backgrounds in the public sphere, noting that the actress intends to approach future activities with heightened caution and humility.
Impact on Upcoming Drama Productions
Amid the ongoing public discussion, attention turned toward Ha Young’s upcoming television projects. Following her recent role as Go Eun Sae in the drama “Our Sticky Love,” the actress is scheduled to appear in an upcoming SBS comedy series titled “The Long Shot Trial,” alongside actor Lee Je Hoon.
Slated for release in 2027, the SBS production centers on a legal firm managed by Kwon Baek, a former attorney portrayed by Lee Je Hoon. Ha Young is cast as Yeo Shim Hee, a novice lawyer who lacks financial resources and strong connections but outworks her peers before eventually stepping into a primary role at the firm.
In response to inquiries regarding the production status amidst the controversy, a representative for SBS addressed fan concerns on Tuesday. According to the network, “The Long Shot Trial” has completed the majority of its filming schedule, though specific details regarding the exact number of shooting days or production timelines remain difficult to provide at this stage. Network representatives confirmed they are aware of the situation surrounding Ha Young and are monitoring developments closely.
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