South Korean actress Ha Young is losing advertising deals after reports surfaced about her family’s pro-Japanese history, according to 한국경제. The outlet reported that brands have begun severing ties with the actress, who was previously favored by major companies including Samsung.
The controversy stems from claims that Ha Young’s great-grandfather had documented pro-Japanese activities during Korea’s colonial period, YTN reported. Additional reports from 뉴스1 allege that her great-grandmother may have been the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Japanese colonial government, with one commentator comparing the family’s status to that of Lee Wan-yong, a prominent Korean collaborator.
Ha Young’s father reportedly made a statement 24 years ago saying “time is on our side,” which some observers now interpret as awareness of the family’s history, according to yonhapnewstv.co.kr. A commentator on Money Today criticized the family for publicly emphasizing their “fourth-generation doctor” lineage, questioning what they hoped to gain by highlighting that background.
The actress had built a reputation as an “elite” performer, a profile that attracted premium advertising contracts. The current backlash demonstrates how quickly public sentiment can shift when historical allegations emerge against public figures in South Korea.
The situation continues to develop as more outlets investigate the claims and additional brands may follow suit. Ha Young has not yet issued a public response to the allegations, according to the reports reviewed.
