South Korean actress Ha Young, star of the series “Our Sticky Love,” has apologized after her great-grandfather’s alleged ties to a pro-Japanese organization sparked public criticism.

The controversy comes days before South Korea marks National Liberation Day on Aug. 15, which commemorates Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

Ha Young’s late great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, was a physician who studied Western medicine in Japan. During an Aug. 7 appearance on the TV program “Problem Child in House,” Ha Young said her great-grandfather was the first doctor to open a medical practice in Hanyang after returning from Japan and that he had treated Emperor Gojong.

Her remarks prompted netizens and local media to examine Ahn’s background. Ahn, who lived from 1872 to 1927, graduated from Tokyo Jikei Medical College in 1902 and became the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license. He later practiced medicine in Korea and treated members of the Korean imperial family.

Criticism focused on his membership in the Daejeong Business Friendship Association, also known as the Taisho Friendship Association. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture describes the group as a pro-Japanese organization established in Seoul in 1916.

Ha Young initially faced criticism after her agency denied allegations concerning her great-grandfather. As further historical details emerged, however, the agency changed its position.

On Aug. 12, Ha Young issued a personal apology on Instagram, saying she had only known parts of her great-grandfather’s life through family stories.

She acknowledged that she had spoken about him as a source of family pride without fully understanding his activities during the Japanese colonial period.

“Shamefully, in that state of ignorance, I spoke of my great-grandfather at various gatherings as if he were a source of family pride,” she said.

Ha Young said she subsequently researched her family history and learned about Ahn’s pro-Japanese activities.

“I reflect on the fact that I had lightly mentioned my family history without properly understanding the painful history of our country during the Japanese colonial period,” she said.

She also said she was unaware of the historical details when her agency initially issued its statement.

“I do not believe that the fact that I was unaware of it can be a reason to turn a blind eye to or treat that history lightly,” she said. “I take this mistake to heart and sincerely apologize as a descendant.”

The controversy has made Ha Young one of the most discussed entertainment figures on Naver, South Korea’s largest web portal.

Relations between South Korea and Japan remain sensitive because of their shared history, including Japan’s colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945, wartime forced labor and the issue of Korean women who were subjected to sexual exploitation by Japan’s military.

The Philippines was also occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945 during World War II.

Ha Young and Jung Hae-in are the stars of "Our Sticky Love" (Instagram)