Actress Hayoung, who has recently been identified as a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, is reportedly facing a difficult situation while filming SBS' upcoming drama 'There Is a Chance of Winning.'
According to a report from MyDaily on the 16th, Hayoung is continuing to film the drama set to air next February despite the contorvesy surrounding her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese ties.
The situation escalated during filming on August 13, when Hayoung reportedly broke down in tears and was unable to control her emotions on set. Ultimately, filming was forced to pause temporarily. She had to take several hours to rest and compose herself before returning to finish filming.
The controversy first surfaced on August 10, just one day before Hayoung’s birthday. The production team had originally prepared a birthday cake for her on August 11, but the celebration was quietly canceled following the controversy.
This naturally leaves SBS in a difficult spot. With nearly 90% of filming complete and ten of billions of KRW already invested in the drama, replacing the lead actress is nearly out of the question. Accordingly, SBS has not changed its decision regarding her casting. The broadcasting station previously stated:
"We are aware of the issue and are closely monitoring how the situation develops. If there are any developments to share in the future, we will let you know."
However, SBS cannot simply ignore the public sentiment either. The drama is scheduled to premiere in February 2027, around the time of March 1st Independence Movement Day. Furthermore, because 'There Is a Winning Chance' is a remake of a Japanese drama, there are concerns that the controversy surrounding Hayoung's great-grandfather could draw more criticism and pottentionally affect advertising deals.
Moreover, reports that Hayoung 'cried on set' and 'was emotionally shaken' might backfire. While the public can understand her emotional distress, forcing a high-budget production to halt creates new issues. Rather than generating sympathy, these reports could spark further backlash for causing trouble for the crew.
The controversy itself centers on her great-grandfather, Ahn Sangho, who worked as a doctor during the Japanese colonial era and has been accused as a pro-Japanese collaborator.
Things became even more controversial after attention was turned to Kim Yongsook's 1983 historical book, 'A Study of Court Customs in the Joseon Dynasty.' The book describes Ahn Sangho's wife as 'the daughter of a Japanese general serving under the Japanese Government-General of Korea at the time.'
Meanwhile, some of Hayoung's commercial endorsements and media appearances are already taking a hit. Promotional videos featuring the actress for an electronics brand and a clothing brand have been set to private, while an episode of KBS' 'Problem Child in House' where she discussed her great-grandfather has also been removed from its VOD services. Pre-shot promotional content for her upcoming Netflix series 'Our Sticky Love' is also reportedly unlikely air.
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