{
  "id": 936239,
  "title": "Japanese media call Ha Young backlash 'modern-day guilt by association'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/japanese-media-call-ha-young-backlash-modern-day-guilt-by-association-936239",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T02:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20260815/japanese-media-call-ha-young-backlash-modern-day-guilt-by-association"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese media and internet users are demonstrating significant interest in the controversy surrounding actress Ha Young, who has faced public condemnation for her initial reaction to reports about the pro-Japanese activities of her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho (1872-1927). Much of the Japanese response has been supportive of Ha, with some labeling the backlash as a form of \"modern-day guilt by association\" and criticizing South Korea's response. This reaction underscores a notable contrast in viewpoints between Japan, the former colonial power, and Korea, which endured Japanese colonial rule. Described as a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, a column published on Wednesday by the conservative Japanese outlet JBpress is a prime example of this perspective. The article's headline, \"Why does Korea not forgive descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators? The modern-day guilt by association cornering celebrities and the weaponization of history,\" clearly articulated its critical stance on South Korea's reaction. The outlet provided the known facts, identifying Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, who served as a council member.",
  "summary": "Japanese media and online users are showing strong interest in the controversy surrounding actor Ha Young, who has faced public criticism over her initial response to revelations about the pro-Japanese activities of her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho (1872-1927). Much of the Japanese reaction has been sympathetic toward Ha, with some describing the backlash as \"modern-day guilt by association\"…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Japanese media call Ha Young backlash 'modern-day guilt by association'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/japanese-media-call-ha-young-backlash-modern-day-guilt-by-association",
        "published": "2026-08-15T02:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}