Heo Young's 'Pro-Japanese' Ancestor Controversy Sparks Debate, Jung Hae-in's Lineage Praised

The Netflix romantic comedy The Sugar-Coated Love, starring Jung Hae-in (정해인) and Heo Young (허영), has recently sparked discussions about the actors' family backgrounds. While the series initially garnered attention for its plot and cast, the controversy surrounding Heo Young's great-grandfather and his alleged pro-Japanese ties led to a re-examination of Jung Hae-in's lineage, making their contrasting family histories a hot topic among Korean netizens.

To promote the new drama, Heo Young has been making frequent appearances on various variety shows. During one such appearance, she publicly discussed her family background, revealing that she comes from a "four-generation medical family." She stated that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, studied medicine in Japan and was one of the first physicians to open a Western hospital in Hanyang, even reportedly treating Emperor Gojong.

Following the broadcast, netizens began investigating Ahn Sang-ho's past. Records show that Ahn Sang-ho graduated from the Tokyo Jikei Medical School in Japan in 1902. In 1918, he was interviewed by the Maeil Sinbo, a newspaper affiliated with the Japanese Government-General of Korea, where he mentioned marrying a Japanese woman and expressed a desire to live in the same manner as Japanese people. The resurfacing of these historical records has led to accusations of pro-Japanese sentiment against him.

Heo Young's agency initially denied the allegations on the 10th, asserting that the online claims of "pro-Japanese" ties were baseless. However, the next day, the agency retracted its statement and apologized, admitting that after verification, Ahn Sang-ho's name indeed appeared on the 1916 list of council members for the "Taisho Chinmokhoe" (Taisho Friendship Association). The agency also apologized for its hasty denial without sufficient prior investigation, causing the controversy to escalate.

Coincidentally, Jung Hae-in, Heo Young's co-star, also has a highly notable family background. He is a 6th-generation descendant of Jeong Yak-yong (정약용), a prominent Silhak scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty, and a direct descendant of Jeong Yak-yong's second son, Jeong Hak-yu. Jung Hae-in has previously shared photos of the Taegeukgi (Korean flag) on social media on important Korean holidays, such as Samiljeol (Independence Movement Day), demonstrating his respect for history and national commemorative days.

Jeong Yak-yong was a crucial Silhak thinker and scholar during the late Joseon period, conducting in-depth research in politics, economics, law, medicine, agriculture, and architecture. He left behind a vast body of work and is considered a highly representative polymath in Korean history, often hailed as the "Korean Leonardo da Vinci."

However, unlike Heo Young, who openly shared her family background on television, Jung Hae-in has rarely proactively discussed his ancestors. When asked about his family history, he humbly stated that since his family's lineage became known, his name is often discussed alongside his ancestors, which makes him feel "sorry to his ancestors." He expressed a desire to honor his ancestors through good work and performances.

The contrasting attitudes of the two stars have unexpectedly sparked heated discussions among Korean netizens. Many commented that if one were to boast about their family background, "it should at least be of this caliber to be worth mentioning." Others praised Jung Hae-in, saying, "Being a direct descendant is truly amazing," believing Jeong Yak-yong himself is a historical figure worthy of pride.

Some netizens even focused on the actors' appearances, jokingly pointing out the apparent similarity between Jung Hae-in's and Jeong Yak-yong's ears, and even wished for him to portray Jeong Yak-yong in a future production. Others noted that historical descriptions portray Jeong Yak-yong as having a fair and dignified appearance, suggesting Jung Hae-in could indeed embody the historical figure.

Furthermore, some netizens directly stated, "This is the kind of family background that should be boasted about, not how much money one has." Others added that Jeong Yak-yong contributed greatly to the common people throughout his life, and his descendants naturally have every right to be proud of their ancestor.

Now, as Heo Young faces controversy over her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese ties, it has inadvertently brought attention to the esteemed family background of her co-star, Jung Hae-in. What began as a promotional topic for a new drama has unexpectedly evolved into a "family background comparison" between the two, further boosting the discussion surrounding The Sugar-Coated Love ahead of its official broadcast.