Actor Jung Hae In will not attend the press screening of the animated film 'Gills.' While speculation arose that his absence was connected to the recent controversy surrounding Ha Young's great-grandfather and alleged pro-Japanese activities, Jung Hae In's agency and the film's distributor clarified that the two matters are unrelated.
According to the team behind director Ahn Jae Hoon's animated film 'Gills' on August 17, Jung Hae In will not attend the press screening and press conference scheduled for August 26 at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Jung Hae In provides the voice of Gon, the central character in the film.
After news broke that Jung Hae In was absent from the attendee list, attention turned to the reason behind his absence. Director Ahn Jae Hoon and fellow voice actors Kang Ha Neul, Yoo Jae Myung, and Kim Sun Young are expected to attend the event. Lee Chung Ah is also reportedly unable to attend.
A representative from distributor At Nine Film told K Star News on August 17 that Jung Hae In's inability to attend the screening "is not because of the controversy surrounding actress Ha Young that is currently being reported."
The representative explained, "Jung Hae In already has a drama filming schedule that makes it difficult for him to attend." They added, "This scheduling issue had already been discussed two to three weeks ago, so it has absolutely nothing to do with the controversy that emerged recently."
Jung Hae In's agency, FNC Entertainment, also issued a similar statement to MK Sports. "Jung Hae In is unable to attend because a previously scheduled filming commitment overlaps with the screening," the agency explained.
The speculation appears to have stemmed from the recent cancellation of promotional activities for the Netflix series 'Our Sticky Love.' Jung Hae In and Ha Young star together in the series, but a promotional interview scheduled for August 14 was canceled following the controversy surrounding Ha Young's great-grandfather. Jung Hae In's interview schedule was also canceled as a result.
With Jung Hae In subsequently confirmed to be absent from the 'Gills' screening, speculation grew that the Ha Young controversy may have affected his promotional activities.
The controversy began after Ha Young appeared on KBS2's 'Problem Child in House' and spoke about her family background. She said her great-grandfather had opened the first Western medical clinic in Hanyang and had treated Emperor Gojong.
The remarks drew attention, but claims subsequently circulated online identifying her great grandfather as Ahn Sang Ho, a physician who has faced allegations of pro-Japanese activities.
Ahn Sang Ho is known to have studied Western medicine in Tokyo, Japan, before opening what was described as the first Western style hospital established by a Korean. However, controversy intensified after records were found listing his name among the council members of the Daehwa Friendship Association in 1916. The organization was a pro Japanese group composed of members of Korea's upper class.
Ha Young's side initially denied the allegations but later reversed its position, stating that they had confirmed her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities and issuing an official apology.
Ha Young herself also posted a handwritten apology, saying she took her great grandfather's actions seriously and apologized as his descendant. Her statement included an apology "for causing great disappointment and hurt through matters related to my great grandfather."
Public sentiment, however, has not easily subsided following the apology. The controversy has also placed other figures in difficult positions, including the cast of 'You Are My Love,' which was unveiled earlier this month, as well as Lee Je Hoon, who is set to work with Ha Young on her upcoming project.
'Gills' is an animated adaptation of novelist Koo Byung Mo's novel of the same name. The film was produced by Pencil in Meditation and distributed by At Nine Film. Director Ahn Jae Hoon previously helmed 'The Dream of a Precious Day' and 'The Life of an Actress,' among other works.
The fantasy drama follows Gon, the only boy in the world to develop gills after falling into deep water, and the people surrounding him. The film reinterprets the imagination and themes of the original novel through the distinctive visual language of animation.
'Gills' is scheduled to hit theaters on September 9.
Jung Hae In voices Gon, while Kang Ha Neul, Lee Chung Ah, Yoo Jae Myung, and Kim Sun Young also lend their voices to the film.
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