Heo Young Family's Pro-Japanese, Wealth-Flaunting Controversy Escalates; Korean Media Calls for 'Boundaries to Criticism' Amid Public Outcry

Korean actress Heo Young (허영) has recently been embroiled in controversy over her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's (안상호) alleged pro-Japanese activities. As the scandal continues to escalate, past controversies involving her grandfather and her mother's previous remarks about having "200 million won in a safe" have also resurfaced. Despite Heo Young publicly issuing a handwritten apology and acknowledging her oversight, the uproar has not subsided. Instead, criticism has expanded from her past statements and actions to demands for her withdrawal from new dramas, with some even calling for a complete ban on her entertainment activities, leaving production teams and broadcasters in a difficult position.

Recent Korean media reports indicate that in addition to her advertisements being made private and reruns of her variety show appearances being edited out, there are growing calls for her to withdraw from her upcoming lead roles in SBS's new drama, 'Victory is Hope,' and the second season of the Netflix original series, 'Trauma Center: D-Day.'

'Victory is Hope,' an adaptation of the Japanese drama 'Legal High,' is currently in its pre-broadcast stage, with some parts of the production nearing completion. In this situation, demands for a lead actor change have not only sparked public discussion but also placed significant practical pressure on the production team.

However, the media commentary also pointed out that the catalyst for this controversy is indeed related to Heo Young herself. In the past, she frequently introduced her family background as a "four-generation doctor family" on variety shows and in media interviews, using her family history to build her personal image and public appeal. In the early stages of the controversy, her agency even denied related historical records, only to change its statement later, further intensifying public dissatisfaction.