What is the truth behind the rumors about actress Ha Young being a pro-Japanese collaborator? A family of doctors, Ahn Sang-ho

The truth behind the controversy surrounding actor Ha Young's doctor family, her great-grandfather who presided over the reign of King Gojong, and rumors of pro-Japanese collaboration! We summarize everything at a glance, from Ahn Sang-ho's background and articles on the Ilseon Donghwa model case to historical facts and Q&A regarding the theory of King Gojong's poisoning.

 

1. The 'family of doctors' revealed on broadcast and the start of an unexpected controversy

The start of this issue was the variety show *Problematic Men in the Rooftop*. Actress Ha Young appeared on the show and mentioned her extraordinary family background, along with her elite background of graduating from Ewha Womans University with a degree in Western Painting and studying abroad at SVA in New York.

 

"My great-grandfather opened the first Western-style medical clinic in Hanyang and was a royal physician who personally treated Emperor Gojong." They revealed the behind-the-scenes story. The cast members were all surprised and reacted by saying it was amazing, but after the broadcast, some netizens A twist occurred as I started searching through historical records, asking, "Who on earth is that great-grandfather?" .

2. What kind of person was my great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho?

The figure identified as Hayoung's great-grandfather is none other than Mr. Ahn Sang-ho (1872–1927). As a 26th-generation descendant of the Champan-gong branch of the Sunheung Ahn clan, it is true that he was a figure with a very important career in the history of modern Korean medicine.

 

First Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license: 1 In 1902, he graduated from Tokyo Jikei Medical College in Japan and became the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license.

Royal Physician and Medical Education: After returning to Korea, he worked as a physician for Emperor Sunjong and taught Western medicine at the medical school established by Ji Seok-yeong.

Private Clinic and Medical Association Activities: He opened a private clinic in Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, and also served as the president of the 'Hanseong Medical Association,' composed of Korean doctors, in opposition to the Japanese-dominated Gyeongseong Medical Association.

 

If you look at it up to this point He appears to be a simple pioneer of modern medicine, but as records from the Japanese colonial period came to light, a controversy over his pro-Japanese collaboration erupted.

3. Model cases of 'Japan-Korea assimilation' reported in the media and pro-Japanese activities

The biggest shock came from the news articles reported in the Maeil Sinbo (1918) and others during the Japanese colonial period. Mr. Ahn Sang-ho's wife was Iso Kawaguchi, a Japanese woman. Imperial Japan actively promoted this international marriage as a representative success story of "Ilseondonghwa" and "Ilseondongche," which envisioned Koreans and Japanese becoming one.

 

If you look at the interview article from the Maeil Shinbo at the time, it contains very unconventional content.

"I am just like a Japanese person. I don't have a single piece of Korean clothing right now, and I can't eat even a little bit of spicy food."

The article depicted him happily raising his children (four sons and three daughters, seven siblings) with his wife in a completely Japanese style. Since his entire lifestyle was Japanized except for speaking Korean at home, it became difficult for him to avoid criticism that he had abandoned his national identity and actively cooperated with Imperial Japan's assimilation policy. In addition, his history of activity in the Taisho Friendship Association, a representative pro-Japanese organization formed in 1916, was also brought back into the spotlight.

4. The Relationship Between the Poisoning Theory of Emperor Gojong and Jeonui An Sang-ho

The reason the name An Sang-ho is historically mentioned most frequently is precisely because of the sudden death of Emperor Gojong in 1919.

On January 21, 1919, when Emperor Gojong, who had no particular chronic illness, suddenly died at Hamnyeongjeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, the Japanese announced the cause of death as a 'cerebral hemorrhage'. However, among the people at the time Rumors spread widely that "the royal physician had offered poison after accepting bribes and threats from Japan," and this anger eventually became the decisive trigger for the March 1st Movement.

 

At the scene at the time The royal physician who treated King Gojong along with the Japanese doctor Moriyasu was none other than Ahn Sang-ho. Because of this, he suffered greatly as he was suspected of being the likely perpetrator of the poisoning.

 

Historical Assessment: Although records supporting the circumstances of poisoning exist, such as the memoirs of Princess Yi Bangja, the wife of Prince Yeongchin, and the diaries of high-ranking Japanese officials, there is a lack of clear physical evidence regarding whether Ahn Sang-ho personally carried out the poisoning or was wrongly framed. Consequently, this remains an area of ​​ongoing research in academia regarding the truth of the matter.

 

 

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. Did actress Ha Young personally engage in pro-Japanese activities?
A1. Of course not! This controversy is not about the actor's personal actions, but an issue related to the historical background of his ancestor (great-grandfather). Although it is not a matter concerning Hayoung herself or her parents' generation, she is facing criticism for lacking historical awareness or tact after mentioning her great-grandfather as a proud family background on a broadcast, only for his pro-Japanese history to be uncovered.

 

Q2. Is your great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, listed in the official Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators?
A2. Although Ahn Sang-ho holds a medical license in Japan and has a history of practicing there, he is a figure whose activities, such as his involvement with the Taisho Friendship Association and his use of it for promoting Japan-Korea assimilation, are the subject of ongoing investigation and research by the academic community.

 

Q3. Is the theory that Emperor Gojong was poisoned true?
A3. The possibility that Emperor Gojong was poisoned by the Japanese is a theory widely regarded by the historical academic community. Several scholars, including Professor Emeritus Lee Tae-jin of Seoul National University, have raised the possibility of assassination by the Japanese to prevent the dispatch of special envoys to the Paris Peace Conference. However, due to insufficient evidence, no clear conclusion has been reached regarding whether Jeonui An Sang-ho played a leading role in the process.

 

 

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