[Dispatch=Reporter Lee A-Jin] Actor Ha Young (real name An Ha Young) has been embroiled in controversy over being a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators. It was revealed that her great-grandfather An Sang-ho was a member of a pro-Japanese organization in which Yi Wan-yong was active. However, Ha Young's side countered, "While we are descendants of An Sang-ho, the pro-Japanese allegations are entirely unfounded." Her agency, Vistars Entertainment, said in a phone call with Dispatch on the 10th, "It is true that Ha Young's great-grandfather is An Sang-ho," but added, "The pro-Japanese allegations raised online are completely untrue." The controversy began when Ha Young appeared on Netflix Korea content on the 6th and revealed her family history. She said, "My great-grandfather opened the first Western medicine clinic in Hanyang and treated Emperor Gojong." Ha Young's great-grandfather was Dr. An Sang-ho. After studying medicine in Japan, he returned to Korea and opened a clinic in Jongno. He became known as an elite medical professional who introduced Western medicine to the country during the Korean Empire period. The issue lies in his activities after the Japanese colonial period. An Sang-ho served as a councilor of the 'Taishei Shinbokukai.' According to the Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture, the Taishei Shinbokukai was a pro-Japanese organization established in Seoul in 1916. The organization ostensibly aimed at facilitating exchange between Japanese and upper-class Koreans. At the same time, it actively cooperated with Colonial Government policies and carried out activities to reform Korean customs in the Japanese style. Prominent pro-Japanese collaborator Yi Wan-yong was also active in this organization. An Sang-ho's pro-Japanese activities can also be found in the 1918 'Maeil Sinbo.' The newspaper at the time covered the life of An Sang-ho's family, who was married to a Japanese woman. It introduced his household as "a model of Japan-Korea as one body." "Japan-Korea as one body" was propaganda meaning to view Japan and Korea as a single entity. Under this slogan, policies such as forced name changes, recitation of the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers, forced shrine worship, and prohibition of the Korean language were implemented. An Sang-ho is also mentioned in theories regarding Emperor Gojong's alleged poisoning. In 1919, when Emperor Gojong died, he treated Gojong alongside Japanese physician Moriyasu. The 'Records of the Yi Wang Palace,' which documented internal affairs of the Korean Imperial household, states, "There were rumors that pro-Japanese figures including Min Byeong-seok and Yun Deok-yeong conspired with high-ranking Colonial Government officials to have An Sang-ho administer poison." An account dated October 13, 1920, in the diary of Enlightenment-era intellectual Yun Chi-ho also mentions the theory of Gojong's poisoning. It describes how Han Jin-chang, who served as a councilor of the Colonial Government's Central Council, was convinced of poisoning based on the condition of Gojong's remains. However, it has not been clearly confirmed whether Emperor Gojong was actually poisoned or whether An Sang-ho was involved. An Sang-ho was not listed in the 'Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Figures' compiled by the Institute for Research on National Problems in 2009. Nevertheless, records remain showing that An Sang-ho was active in organizations with pro-Japanese characteristics during the Japanese colonial period and was introduced as a model family of "Japan-Korea as one body."