Seoul: Actor Ha Young has publicly apologized following the controversy regarding her family's historical ties to a pro-Japanese organization during Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Her apology came after speculation arose about her great-grandfather's involvement in such organizations, sparking public concern.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ha Young's apology was issued through her agency, Bistus Entertainment. The agency clarified that her previous claims about the allegations being "groundless" were not intended to mislead. The controversy began after Ha Young mentioned during a KBS talk show last week that her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and was the first to open a Western medical clinic in Korea. This statement inadvertently led the public to identify him as a senior member of a pro-Japanese organization, as recorded by historians.

The agency acknowledged the existence of historic records from 1916 that list Ha Young's great-grandfather as a member of the organization. It emphasized the importance of careful verification when discussing historical facts and personal histories publicly. Ha Young expressed her regret for the concern caused and committed to adopting a more cautious and humble approach moving forward.

Since her debut in "Doctor Prisoner" in 2019, Ha Young has gained recognition for her roles in popular Netflix series, including "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" (2025), "Boyfriend on Demand" (2026), and "Teach You a Lesson" (2026). She also recently appeared in the rom-com series "Our Sticky Love," which was released last week.