Korean Celebrities Honor Independence Activist Ancestry Amidst Liberation Day Observances
Liberation Day, commemorating Korea’s regaining of sovereignty from Japanese imperial rule, has prompted several prominent figures in the entertainment industry to publicly acknowledge and celebrate their lineage connected to the Korean independence movement. This renewed focus highlights a growing national pride and a desire to connect with the sacrifices made by previous generations.
The annual observance serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles endured by independence activists who dedicated their lives to the cause of Korean freedom. Many Koreans feel a deep connection to these historical figures, and several celebrities are now sharing their personal ties to this legacy.
Actor Kim Ji-seok recently discussed his grandfather, Kim Seong-il, on the program “Ugly My Baby.” Kim Seong-il was a member of the Independence Medical Group, actively participating in the independence movement. He faced arrest alongside Dr. Yoon Bong-gil and endured torture for his convictions. Kim Ji-seok shared, “My grandfather did an independence movement,” and further elaborated on his grandmother’s role in supporting the cause, stating she “delivered the information in Korea to the independent troops.” He recounted these stories after appearing with his grandmother on his YouTube channel.
Similarly, Yoon Joo-bin, grandson of the renowned Dr. Yoon Bong-gil, has spoken about his family history. Dr. Yoon Bong-gil famously detonated a bomb on April 29, 1932, during an event celebrating the king’s birthday in Hongkou Park, Shanghai, China. In a 2019 appearance on MBC’s “The King of Mask Singer,” Yoon Joo-bin reflected on the evolving concept of patriotism, noting, “My father said that the patriotism in modern society has changed the meaning of the past. It is a patriotism to do its best in each field. I want to be an actor who has a good effect.”
The connection to the independence movement extends beyond these two figures. Actress Han Soo-yeon revealed on tvN’s “Brain-Se-Problem Man” that her grandfather, Kim Soon-oh, served as a medical captain during the independence era. Records from the Japanese Sunsa Handbook confirm his identity as “Kim Soon-oh.” Han Soo-yeon has actively honored her grandfather’s legacy by attending the Korean Provisional Ceremony.
Further demonstrating this trend, Park Hwan-hee’s mother-in-law, Ha Jong-jin, was an independence activist who distributed Taegeukgi (Korean flags) in Hamyang, Gyeongnam, during the March 1, 1919, Independence Movement. Park Hwan-hee has publicly expressed her pride in her family’s history, stating on KBS2’s “Happy Together 3” and “100 Years of Spring,” “Thanks to my grandfather, there is a complete spring here.”
These public acknowledgements by Korean celebrities serve not only as a tribute to their ancestors but also as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for Korean independence, resonating deeply with the nation as it observes Liberation Day.
