Kang Dong Won Cancels Scheduled Activity After Issuing An Apology For Pro-Japanese Family History
Actor Kang Dong Won reportedly canceled a scheduled activity for his upcoming movie "Vanishing Time." This latest update came just a day after the actor finally broke his silence and apologized for not knowing about his great-grandfather's pro-Japanese history. Netizens kicked up a flurry of criticisms as they accused him and his management label YG Entertainment of covering up this bit of history.
According to Soompi, Kang Dong Won did not push through with his scheduled recording for a commentary on his new movie in the light of the recent controversy. The renowned 36-year-old actor, who shot to fame in the movie "Temptation of the Wolves" in 2004, offered his apology Sunday for the issue about his great-grandfather Lee Jong Man. His great-grandfather belonged to a pro-Japanese group called Chinilpa, helped finance the creation of comfort women and gained wealth from his collusion with the invaders. Netizens first dissed the actor in 2007 because he "spoke highly" of his great-grandfather in an interview. Some netizens later realized the actor might not be aware of his family history after all. Yet the issue resurfaced coincidentally when the country celebrated its March 1st Movement Day or Independence Declaration Day. Netizens criticized how his label YG tried to cover up an article about his pro-Japanese family history. YG Entertainment eventually admitted their actions and apologized Friday.
Kang Dong Won clarified that he only heard positive stories about his great-grandfather and wasn't even aware of the old man's "wrongdoings" when he spoke highly of him in the 2007 interview. He considered the incident then as "chaotic" and a "big shock" for him. Now, however, he admitted his great-grandfather's "shameful past." "Before I am an actor, I am a Korean citizen, and I have always thought that wrongful history had to be corrected and that such shameful deeds should never be repeated again. For that reason, I am truly ashamed about this incident," stated Kang Dong Won, according to Soompi.