South Korean actress Ahn Ha-young has officially stepped down from Netflix’s upcoming medical drama sequel following intense public backlash over her great-grandfather’s historical ties to Japan’s colonial rule, creating an awkward scheduling clash as Netflix Japan simultaneously spotlighted her work on its official YouTube channel.
The controversy surrounding Ahn Ha-young has unfolded across two distinct fronts in Seoul and Tokyo, testing how streaming platforms and audiences manage historical sensitivities. While her latest romantic comedy topped Netflix’s global non-English TV chart, the real-world fallout from her family lineage has disrupted her career trajectory and forced her withdrawal from a major franchise.
The Ancestral Lineage Controversy and Public Apology
The scrutiny began in early August during an appearance on a television variety show. Ahn appeared on KBS 2TV’s Rooftop Troublemakers
which aired ahead of Liberation Day, where she boasted about coming from a four-generation family of doctors. She recounted that her great-grandfather had studied Western medicine in Japan, opened a clinic in Hanyang—the former name of Seoul—and treated Emperor Gojong.
Online researchers and netizens soon identified her great-grandfather as Ahn Sang-ho, a physician during the colonial era whose name appeared in historical documentation as a council member for the Daejeong Friendship Association. That organization, established in 1916, included leadership figures linked to the Japanese colonial administration that ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945.
After initially denying the allegations, Ahn and her representatives reversed their stance following a review of historical records. On August 12, Ahn issued a handwritten apology on social media, admitting that her knowledge of her great-grandfather relied entirely on family stories and that she had spoken carelessly without understanding the historical implications.
Exit From The Trauma Code Sequel
The immediate professional consequence of the backlash centers on her departure from Netflix’s hit medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call. Following a massive global debut in January 2025 that topped viewing charts in more than 26 countries, the streaming platform greenlit second and third seasons.
In the first season, Ahn played Jang-mi, a veteran nurse on the severe trauma team alongside main leads Baek Gang-hyeok, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon, and Yang Jae-won, played by Choo Young-woo. On September 1, a Netflix spokesperson confirmed her exit from the upcoming seasons, stating that the platform chose to respect her decision to step away.
Global Streaming Success Amid Domestic Backlash
The controversy coincided directly with the launch of her romantic comedy series Our Sticky Love, in which she stars alongside Jung Hae-in as an amnesiac prosecutor named Go Eun-sae. The 12-part series premiered on August 7 and ranked No. 1 for the August 10–16 period, recording 7.5 million views and 88 million hours viewed.
Despite cancelations of scheduled promotional interviews for the series, public interest manifested in unusual ways. Within days of the controversy, Ahn’s Instagram follower count surged by more than 200,000 accounts, surpassing 1,000,000 followers by mid-August. Observers noted a stark split in public opinion: critics maintained pressure over historical accountability, while supporters argued that a work should be judged independently of an actor’s ancestors.
Netflix Japan’s Tone-Deaf Promotional Video
Complicating the situation further, Netflix Japan released a special four-minute feature video on its official YouTube channel on Friday, highlighting Ahn’s career across several titles, including Our Sticky Love, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Monthly Magazine Home, and True Education.
Netflix Japan praised the actress in the clip, describing her as an actor with an impressive, confident presence
who captivates people with the strength and flexibility to live life in her own way.
The timing sparked sharp cynicism among Korean netizens when the video gained attention in Korea on September 1, the same day her departure from The Trauma Code was finalized. Commentators on Korean forums questioned whether the timing was an intentional provocation or poor coordination, given that her apology over pro-Japanese family ties had circulated heavily in Japanese media as well.
Unresolved Professional Standing
While Ahn has withdrawn from the medical drama franchise, she remains attached to other ongoing productions. Industry reports indicate she is filming the SBS drama The Long Shot Trial as her next project, even as broadcasters and production teams navigate the shifting boundary between personal family history and public casting decisions.
