The drama «The Long Shot Trial» (승산 있습니다, There Is a Chance of Winning) has found itself at the center of an ethics scandal involving one of its lead actresses, Ha Young. Despite the controversy, the production team has confirmed that the series is proceeding as scheduled and is already in its final stages.

The 12-episode drama, set to air on SBS in 2027, centers on a small law firm called Seungsan. Lee Je Hoon («Signal», «The Art of Negotiation») and Ha Young («Our Sticky Love», «The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call») star in the lead roles.

Lee Je Hoon plays Kwon Baek, a former star lawyer who lost his license in a corruption scandal and later stages an unusual comeback as the office manager of a struggling firm.

Together with a motley crew, he takes on cases that seem impossible to win, using unconventional tactics to turn the tide in his favor.

Ha Young plays Yeo Shim Hui, a rookie attorney who agrees to become the firm's lead lawyer, unaware of her idol's troubled past. The supporting cast includes Lee Jae Won and Ok Ja Yun.

The scandal surrounding Ha Young broke on August 7, and the dark shadow of Japanese militarism and imperialism descended upon the unfortunate production team.

During an appearance on a KBS entertainment program, the actress spoke about her family background, mentioning that her great-grandfather was one of Korea's first Western-trained doctors, had studied in Japan, and had treated Emperor Gojong.

After the broadcast, the great-grandfather was identified as Ahn Sang Ho. Online records soon emerged linking him to the pro-Japanese organization «Daejeongchinmokhoe» in 1916, where he served on its council.

The organization dealt with economic matters, legal compliance, and tax discipline, while promoting "unity and harmony between Japanese and Koreans" – a position that effectively meant endorsing the assimilation of Koreans under Japanese colonial rule. Its members included wealthy landowners, businessmen, officials, lawyers, and doctors.

Also, special fans of applying historical knowledge to contemporary realities found publications in the newspaper "Maeil Sinbo" about Ahn Sang Ho leading a "Japanized" lifestyle. The reports noted that he had married a Japanese woman and fully adopted Japanese customs. He was quoted as saying, "I am no different from a Japanese person. I never wear Korean clothes and I absolutely cannot eat spicy food." The newspaper held up his household as a model case for its policy of assimilating Koreans.

The actress's agency initially denied the allegations, but the following day admitted its mistake and apologized for its hasty statement. In an official statement, the agency confirmed that Ha Young is indeed Ahn Sang Ho's great-granddaughter and that the documents proving his council membership are authentic. Representatives added that Ha Young is deeply distressed by the situation, which arose from her own careless remarks about her family on air.

Despite the public backlash, the production team for «The Long Shot Trial» has kept its focus on the work at hand. According to sources, filming has continued without disruption.

An SBS representative confirmed that production is well underway and that, for now, no decisions have been made regarding schedule or casting changes, though the situation is being closely monitored. Ha Young, despite her emotional state, showed up on set August 11 and completed her scenes as scheduled.

For Lee Je Hoon, this marks the second time in recent months that a project he stars in has run into serious trouble during its final production stages – through no fault of his own. Earlier this year, the premiere of the long-awaited second season of «Signal», in which he played the lead role, was cancelled following a scandal involving co-star Jo Jin Woong's past.

Read more: Lee Je Hoon speaks out over uncertainty surrounding release date for «Signal 2»

This new controversy involving his co-star has dealt Lee Je Hoon a second major blow, coming just as «The Long Shot Trial» is nearing completion.

Production is scheduled to continue until September, and the project's fate now hinges on public sentiment and the final decision of SBS executives.

It is striking that a century has passed, and the fourth generation of Koreans and Japanese has come of age – a generation that never experienced the occupation itself, nor even the consequences of its consequences. And yet there are "enthusiasts," as we might call them, who use history not as a lesson for the future, but as a weapon against the present. One presumes they have thoroughly examined their own genealogies and are confident that their family trees remain unblemished seven generations back through even the most turbulent times. One can only envy such a moral high ground.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4