South Korean actor Ha Young, who is more recently seen in the show Our Sticky Love, took to social media on Wednesday to apologise over allegations around her great-grandfather’s pro Japanese activities during Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea.
According to The Korea Times, Ha Young issued an apology in form of a hand written letter posted on her social media account a day after her agency acknowledged that her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho (1872-1927) was a member of an organization that allegedly took part in pro-Japanese activities.
The letter read, “I had only partially known about my great-grandfather’s life through stories told by my family,” she said. “I am ashamed, that despite my ignorance, I had spoken on many occasions about him as a source of family pride.”
Also Read | Exclusive | YEONJUN on No Labels 02, his creative process, and wanting to meet fans in India
“I believe the fact that I had not known about it cannot be an excuse for disregarding or lightly considering that history. I take that mistake heavily and as a descendant, I am sincerely sorry,” the actor said.
Ha Young’s family history came to light when last week she appeared on talk show Problem Child in House. Ha Young mentioned that her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and how medical practice spans across four generations in her family.
This prompted public scrutiny of Ahn’s activities during the colonial period. Although her agency initially denied the background check but on Tuesday, it apologized on behalf of the actor for causing concerns and confirmed the existence of historic records that carry his name as a member of the organization in 1916.