Samsung Electronics has reportedly made several advertisement videos featuring actress Ha Young private as controversy surrounding the historical record of her great grandfather, physician Ahn Sang Ho, continues to spread online.
According to Star News on August 11, six videos featuring Ha Young as a model for Samsung Art TV were changed to private on Samsung Electronics’ official YouTube channel. Other Art TV related videos remained available.
The report did not include an official statement from Samsung explaining why the videos were made private.
However, the change came shortly after renewed discussion about Ahn Sang Ho’s activities during Korea’s Japanese colonial period. A fashion brand that previously featured Ha Young also reportedly made related promotional content private.
The issue began after Ha Young appeared on the August 7 broadcast of KBS2’s Problem Child in House and spoke about her family’s medical background.
Ha Young said, “My great grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and returned to Korea. He was the first doctor to open a clinic in Hanyang.” She also said, “He even treated Emperor Gojong.”
Following the broadcast, online users began examining historical records connected to Ahn Sang Ho. Some records and past reports led to questions over whether he had ties to organizations associated with pro Japan activities during the colonial era.
Ha Young’s agency initially said that while Ahn Sang Ho was confirmed to be her great grandfather, some of the claims spreading online were different from the facts.
However, the agency issued a revised statement on August 11 after conducting additional checks.
The agency said, “After further verification, we confirmed that a record does exist showing Ahn Sang Ho’s name on the list of council members of the Taisho Friendship Association in 1916.”
It continued, “We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by responding too quickly without sufficient verification.”
The company also said the situation showed the importance of carefully checking historical information before making public statements, adding that Ha Young would approach future activities with greater caution.
The controversy centers on historical records connected to Ha Young’s great grandfather rather than any reported actions by the actress herself.
At this time, Samsung Electronics has not publicly confirmed whether the reported change to Ha Young’s advertisement videos was directly related to the controversy.
