Jung Hae-in cancels interview as Ha-young’s pro-Japanese ancestor row deepens

Actor Jung Hae-in has pulled out of a scheduled interview for the Netflix series That Damn Love after controversy surrounding his co-star Ha-young's family history intensified.

The interview, initially planned for 14 August, was cancelled by Netflix's publicity team on 11 August, according to Star News Korea. Ha-young had already cancelled her appearance after revelations about her great-grandfather, Dr Ahn Sang-ho, emerged online.

Ha-young had publicly discussed her family's medical legacy on KBS 2TV's variety show Rooftop Problem Children on 7 August, mentioning her great-grandfather's role as one of Korea's first Western-trained physicians. However, subsequent scrutiny uncovered records showing Ahn Sang-ho was listed as a councillor in the Taeseong親睦會, a pro-Japanese organisation active during the Japanese colonial period. Historical documents also indicate he married a Japanese woman and was presented as a model household exemplifying 'ilseon donche' (treating Japan and Korea as one body).

Ha-young's agency initially denied the allegations on 10 August but reversed its position the following day, acknowledging Ahn Sang-ho's documented membership in the group from 1916. The agency issued an apology, stating it had answered "hastily without sufficient verification."

The fallout has spread beyond entertainment media into advertising and broadcasting sectors. Several of Ha-young's upcoming projects are under review as the situation unfolds.