Heo Young Faces 'Pro-Japanese' Controversy After Boasting Family History; 13-Year-Old Anonymous Post Resurfaces

South Korean actress Heo Young (허영) recently appeared on KBS 2TV's variety show 'Problem Child in House' to promote her new drama, 'My Sweet Love.' During the broadcast, she revealed her background as part of a 'four-generation doctor family,' mentioning that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho (안상호), studied Western medicine in Japan, became a physician upon returning to Korea, and even treated Emperor Gojong. However, after the episode aired, netizens investigated Ahn Sang-ho's past, discovering his name on a list of pro-Japanese organizations, which ignited a 'pro-Japanese' controversy.

As the controversy escalated, Heo Young faced public scrutiny, and reports emerged that her advertising partnerships were being affected. Now, a 13-year-old anonymous article has unexpectedly resurfaced, seemingly echoing details of Heo Young's family background, further fueling discussions online in Korea.

Recently, an article originally posted on a Korean online community on May 18, 2013, titled 'I can only confess because it's anonymous,' began circulating again. The author, identified as 'A,' claimed at the time: "My great-grandfather was the royal physician suspected of poisoning Emperor Gojong. I only found out about this four years ago. He was also briefly mentioned on TV before."

A continued, "Honestly, our family has always been well-off. I don't know much, but I've only heard that the family has always done well. Seeing that they prospered even during the Japanese colonial period, it feels like from my great-grandfather, even my grandfather must have been pro-Japanese. It's so dirty that I was born into this family."

Given that the article mentions the great-grandfather was "Emperor Gojong's royal physician" and had appeared on television, it is speculated that the TV program referred to might be KBS's 'History Album' episode, 'Emperor Gojong, The Truth About His Death,' which aired in August 2009. This program did indeed mention Heo Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho. However, there is currently no public evidence to confirm that the author of this anonymous article is a relative of Heo Young, and these claims remain in the realm of netizen speculation.

Ahn Sang-ho was previously known as one of Korea's early Western medicine practitioners, but it was later discovered that he served as a council member for the pro-Japanese organization 'Daejeong Industrial Friendship Association,' which sparked the pro-Japanese controversy.

Furthermore, relevant historical records show that in 1918, during an interview with the 'Maeil Sinbo,' the official newspaper of the Japanese Government-General of Korea, Ahn Sang-ho discussed how his lifestyle was similar to that of the Japanese, including wearing Japanese clothing and having a Japanese wife. In 1919, after Emperor Gojong fell ill, Ahn Sang-ho participated in his treatment but ultimately failed to save the Emperor's life. At the time, he was also implicated in suspicions surrounding Gojong's cause of death and alleged poisoning.

Heo Young's mention of her family's 'four-generation doctor family' background on the variety show was intended to share family history but unexpectedly brought renewed attention to her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's past. As netizens uncovered more related information, the pro-Japanese controversy quickly expanded.

In response to public questions, Heo Young's agency, BISTUS Entertainment, initially responded on the 10th, acknowledging Ahn Sang-ho as Heo Young's great-grandfather but emphasizing that the pro-Japanese allegations were "not true," attempting to clarify public concerns.

However, as more information came to light, the agency changed its statement the following day and issued a public apology. On the 11th, Heo Young's representatives stated: "Upon further confirmation, we have verified that there is indeed a record of Mr. Ahn Sang-ho appearing on the list of Daejeong Friendship Association council members in 1916."

The company also admitted that it had rushed to respond with "not true" without sufficient verification, causing public confusion, and for this, they "sincerely apologize."

Heo Young's representatives concluded by stating that Heo Young herself feels deeply burdened by the public concern caused by this incident and will remember this controversy, approaching future matters with greater caution and humility.

Now, with the 13-year-old anonymous article resurfacing and her great-grandfather's historical records continuing to draw attention, Heo Young's family controversy persists on Korean online platforms.