What did Lee Hye-sung say?

Broadcaster Lee Hye-sung posted a second explanation on October 21, saying her October 20 YouTube video was being reported and commented on in ways she did not intend. According to her post, the core message was that "we cannot be free from historical responsibility and must live with it," even for wrongs we did not personally commit.

What was the video about?

The roughly 45-minute video, titled 'What we believed was justice may have been wrong | What Is Justice?', drew on Michael Sandel's book 'Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?'. It covered German Holocaust reparations, Japan's failure to fully apologize for wartime conduct, and debates over US slavery reparations. Lee opened by referring to a recently revealed pro-Japanese record of a public figure's great-grandfather, which many viewers connected to actress Ha-young.

Why did it spark criticism?

While Lee did not name anyone, the timing led many to read the remarks as a defense of Ha-young. In the video she also quoted former US congressman Henry Hyde's objection to slavery reparations, presenting it as an argument that exists rather than her own view.

What happened to Ha-young?

After her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's pro-Japanese record became known, Ha-young issued an apology and suspended her activities.

For international fans

Lee Hye-sung is a broadcaster known for her YouTube channel '이혜성의 1% 북클럽'. Ha-young is an actress, and the controversy centers on her family history. The debate touches on a question widely discussed in Korea: how much descendants should answer for the past actions of their ancestors.