# Lee Hye-sung Says Controversial Remark on Ha-young Was a Book Quote

- URL: https://unnienote.app/en/news/lee-hye-sung-clarifies-remarks-on-ha-young-dd94ec
- Published: 2026-10-23T00:13:41.202Z
- Publisher: Unnie Note

> Broadcaster Lee Hye-sung said on SNS on October 21 that a line he read on YouTube, linked to actor Ha-young's great-grandfather's pro-Japanese controversy, was a quotation from Michael Sandel's book, not his own view.

## Key points

1. Lee posted his clarification on SNS on October 21.
2. The line came from Michael Sandel's book 'Justice'.
3. Ha-young was removed from the Netflix 'Trauma Center' sequel after apologizing.

## What did Lee Hye-sung say?

Broadcaster Lee Hye-sung responded on SNS on October 21 to criticism that his YouTube remarks seemed to support actor Ha-young. He wrote that the line, "Should we atone for the sins of our ancestors?", was a quotation and not an expression of his own opinion.

## What was the context?

In a YouTube segment introducing Harvard professor Michael Sandel's book *Justice*, Lee indirectly referred to a controversy over the pro-Japanese collaboration record of Ha-young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho. According to Dispatch, he began by saying that a public figure's ancestor's collaboration had come to light. He then asked a series of questions about whether descendants should atone for ancestors' sins and whether nations should apologize for historical wrongs.

## What is Lee's explanation?

Lee said he "has never given a personal opinion" and that he was explaining that humans are "narrative beings" shaped by history. He also said he introduced a scholar who criticized an American's view of slavery as "none of my business" as moral vulgarity. Dispatch noted that Lee's own view appeared near the end of the video, where he cited an American philosopher on descendants bearing responsibility for ancestors' debts.

## Where does Ha-young's situation stand?

Ha-young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, was tied to pro-Japanese activity, which sparked controversy. Ha-young issued a public apology and was removed from filming the sequel to Netflix's *Trauma Center*, according to the report.

## For international fans

The controversy centers on how Korean public figures are judged for their family history. Fans outside Korea can follow updates through Korean entertainment news outlets such as Dispatch.

## FAQ

### Why did Lee Hye-sung post a clarification?

He said on SNS on October 21 that a line he read from a book was a quotation and not his own opinion, after viewers linked it to actor Ha-young's controversy.

### Is Ha-young still in the Trauma Center sequel?

According to the report, Ha-young was removed from filming the Netflix sequel to Trauma Center after issuing a public apology.

### Where is the book Lee Hye-sung quoted from?

The quote came from Michael Sandel's book Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?, which Lee introduced in a YouTube video.

## Sources

- [디스패치 | 뉴스는 팩트다!](https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2349630)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._