Actor Ha Young has become embroiled in a controversy over history. It began with the KBS variety show "Problem Child in House," aired on the 7th, in which she introduced her family history as one that has produced doctors for four generations. After it emerged that she said her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan, opened a practice in Hanyang and even treated Emperor Gojong, a controversy arose over the wartime activities of the great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, during the Japanese colonial period. The dispute widened as records surfaced showing Ahn's name on the 1916 roster of councilors of the Daejeong Industrial Fellowship Association, a pro-Japanese group.
Her agency initially drew a line, calling the claims "baseless," but later reversed its position, saying it had confirmed the existence of the records. "We caused confusion by responding hastily without sufficient verification," the agency said in an apology. The episode showed how important careful checking of historical facts is, even in the course of introducing a celebrity's family history. It also serves as a reminder that a first response, once a controversy erupts, should not come before the facts have been confirmed.
Ha Young, who plays her first romantic-comedy leading role in the Netflix original "Love Untangled," had been scheduled to give an interview on the 14th. She canceled the interview after the controversy, and co-star Jung Hae-in also canceled an interview scheduled for the same day.
On the 13th, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology on social media.
In the end, both leading actors of "Love Untangled" have effectively suspended their official promotional activities. Because of this, sympathy for Jung Hae-in has also emerged. As he stands to have been unfairly caught up in the fallout just as he was set to return with "Love Untangled" after a long absence, fans are expressing deep regret, and his agency, FNC Entertainment, also said it was "very disappointing."
Controversy Over Celebration: Blackpink's Disappointing 10th Anniversary
Blackpink, the girl group that debuted on Aug. 8, 2016, marked its 10th anniversary this year. Given that the average idol career spans about three years, a decade — and the standing the group has built as K-pop artists over that time — carries considerable meaning. Yet the anniversary on Aug. 8 left something to be desired for fans. All four members attended the fan meeting held on the 8th at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, but complaints over its scale and format had surfaced even before the event. Word of the event was disclosed only two days before the anniversary, attendance was capped at 40 paid members, and grievances were raised over the event's length and the gift given to fans — rice cakes worth 6,900 won. In particular, after Jisoo shed tears following the event, various speculations about the team's activities followed. Jisoo explained directly that they were tears of emotion over 10 years together, saying she hoped "no other meaning would be read into it." A 10th anniversary that should have been full of celebration instead became an occasion to look back at problems in communicating with fans.
The controversy surrounding Blackpink's 10th anniversary event did not end with fans' disappointment. Visitors' complaints followed online that some exhibition spaces at the National Museum of Korea, where the event was held, had been closed off and that existing program schedules had even been changed. Eventually, a complaint requesting an audit was filed with the government's public petition system, asking for a review of what procedures had allowed a private event — a fan meeting — to be held at the National Museum of Korea. The complaint was assigned to the audit officer's office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and is set to be handled by the 19th. Of course, this controversy does not immediately mean there was a problem with the event itself. Still, it became a case showing that when a large entertainment event is held at a national cultural facility used by the entire public, careful consideration must be given not only to the event's success but also to visitors' access and the public interest.
Meanwhile, the National Museum of Korea told Seoul Economic Daily regarding the controversy that it should be "seen as one of the collaborations we are carrying out with Blackpink."
Actor Hwang Jung-min's Private Life Controversy
A controversy over actor Hwang Jung-min's private life has ended up in a courtroom battle. After a person identified as A claimed online to have had a private relationship with Hwang and posted related content, Hwang's side said it was not true and filed a complaint against A on charges including violation of the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes. A received a summary order for a 3 million won fine after the complaint in August last year but refused to accept it and is now standing a formal trial. At the final hearing held on the 11th, prosecutors sought a 10 million won fine for A.
But that is not the end of it. A also filed a 2 billion won damages suit against Hwang in February, claiming to have suffered emotional, social and creative harm. The Seoul Central District Court referred the case to mediation, and the first mediation session was held at 3:30 p.m. on the 14th. Hwang's side, however, has said it has no intention of settling and reportedly did not attend the session. If mediation fails, a trial on the merits will follow.
In the end, the controversy has moved beyond online exposés and rebuttals to criminal and civil proceedings running at the same time. With both sides' accounts still at odds and the court's final judgment yet to come, it is worth watching the legal determination to come rather than treating unverified allegations about a private life as if they were fact.
Yeon Seung's Entertainment Talk
Each week, this column picks and discusses the hottest issues and buzzworthy content in the entertainment industry. From the latest news on actors and K-pop artists to hit films, dramas, streaming (OTT) titles and K-pop trends, it unpacks entertainment news too good to pass by in an easy and engaging way.
