KBS to spotlight traitor Lee Wan-yong amid Oh Ha-young controversy

Ahead of Liberation Day, KBS is set to provide an in-depth look at Lee Wan-yong, one of the most notorious pro-Japanese figures in history. Coincidentally, the timing of this broadcast coincides with recent allegations regarding the pro-Japanese activities of actress Oh Ha-young's great-grandfather, drawing significant public interest to the news.

On the 9th, the KBS YouTube channel 'KBS History' released a preview for the next episode of 'History Special - Time Traveler.' The title of the episode is 'The Five Traitors of Eulsa: The World's Greatest Traitor, Lee Wan-yong.'

This special, prepared in observance of Liberation Day, will delve into the life and political maneuvers of Lee Wan-yong, who is considered a representative pro-Japanese figure in modern Korean history.

'History Special' introduces Lee Wan-yong as "a very unique pro-Japanese collaborator who did not even speak Japanese," while describing him as the "original pro-American enlightenment faction." The program aims to focus on how such an individual ultimately chose the path of collaboration with Japan.

In particular, the program promises to go beyond merely listing Lee Wan-yong's pro-Japanese actions. It intends to explore lesser-known stories, such as the historical background behind his political choices and the steps he took before turning toward pro-Japanese collaboration.

This Liberation Day special is garnering even more attention as it intersects with the recent controversy surrounding Oh Ha-young.

On the 7th, Oh appeared on the KBS2 variety show 'Problem Child in House' and revealed her family history. Appearing to promote the Netflix original series 'This Shitty Love,' she introduced her family as a four-generation lineage of medical professionals, spanning from her great-grandfather to her grandfather, father, and sister.

During the broadcast, Oh explained regarding her great-grandfather, "He went to Japan to study Western medicine and was the first doctor to open a clinic in Hanyang. He even treated Emperor Gojong."

Following the broadcast, speculation spread online that the great-grandfather mentioned by Oh was the doctor An Sang-ho. Subsequently, her agency, Bisters Entertainment, told Ilgan Sports, "Upon direct confirmation with the actress, it is true that Oh Ha-young's great-grandfather was An Sang-ho."

However, the agency drew a line regarding the allegations of pro-Japanese activities surrounding her great-grandfather, stating they are "groundless." Therefore, based on the information released so far, it is difficult to conclude that the pro-Japanese allegations regarding Oh Ha-young's great-grandfather have been confirmed as fact.

Nevertheless, as KBS announced a special featuring the historical figure Lee Wan-yong just before Liberation Day, the two issues have overlapped chronologically. In particular, as the controversy regarding Oh's great-grandfather originated from the family history first revealed on a KBS variety show, reactions online are mentioning both broadcasts together.

However, since the Lee Wan-yong episode of 'History Special - Time Traveler' is a historical program planned specifically for Liberation Day, it is a separate broadcast from the controversy regarding Oh's family history. It is appropriate to view the increased interest as a result of the two matters becoming hot topics at the same time.

Attention is now focused on how the special will illuminate the political choices and pro-Japanese actions of Lee Wan-yong within their historical context, and what significance his actions hold to this day.

'History Special - Time Traveler' airs every Sunday at 9:30 PM.