Actor Ha-young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, has been linked to the 1895 Eulmi Incident, during which he reportedly married a Japanese woman with the help of Gu Yeon-soo, a figure involved in the assassination of Queen Min. This revelation has led to online discussions suggesting it could lead to Ha-young's exit from the entertainment industry.
On August 14, the Ilgan Sports reported that Gu Yeon-soo played a role in introducing Ahn Sang-ho to his Japanese wife, Kawaguchi Isoko. According to a 2007 paper published in the Journal of Korean National Movement Studies, Ahn met Kawaguchi while visiting the residence of Prince Eui, Lee Kang, in Tokyo. Gu Yeon-soo, who was in exile in Japan at the time, is said to have facilitated their introduction, which eventually led to their marriage.
Gu Yeon-soo is recorded as having entered the palace with Japanese individuals during the Eulmi Incident and was involved in the assassination of Queen Min. Afterward, he lived in exile in Japan and later returned to Korea, where he held positions in the Iljin Society and other government roles.
Gu Yeon-soo's name also appears in the context of Ahn Sang-ho and Kawaguchi's return to Korea. The Ilgan Sports noted that Kawaguchi entered Korea in 1907, staying at Gu Yeon-soo's residence, as documented in a medical text published in 1985.
Previously, Ha-young's father explained the marriage between Ahn Sang-ho and the Japanese woman, stating, "I understand that Prince Eui introduced a woman he met while working in Tokyo, and I have never thought of the marriage itself as pro-Japanese." However, the recent report presents evidence that Gu Yeon-soo was involved in their marriage, which differs from the family's previous explanation.
In response to inquiries from Ilgan Sports, Ha-young's representatives stated, "It is difficult to confirm the situation immediately."
Following the report, netizens expressed various opinions, with comments such as, "Why does a well-known figure from that era keep coming up?" and "This seems like a level of controversy that could lead to an exit from the entertainment industry." Others remarked, "The more you dig, the more legendary it becomes."
Meanwhile, in light of the growing pro-Japanese allegations surrounding her great-grandfather, Ha-young issued a handwritten apology on August 12, stating, "I learned about my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese actions while researching related materials." She has previously shared her family's history, including her great-grandfather, on various broadcasts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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