[E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “Joy and Sorrow Issues” is a column that breaks down the week’s entertainment news into “joy” and “sorrow.” <Editor’s Note>

Actress Ha Young-eun, who had issued an official apology over controversy surrounding her family’s pro-Japanese past, has ultimately decided to withdraw from the drama “Trauma Center”—which had been confirmed as her next project—amid the fallout from the controversy.
There was also a series of controversies in the broadcasting industry. The production team of MBC’s flagship variety show *I Live Alone* acknowledged mistakes and issued an official apology to viewers regarding the recent controversy over the fabrication of “impromptu trips.”
There was also some welcome news. Actress Ji Ye-eun and dancer Bata, who had been openly dating, tied the knot and announced their marriage. There was also a couple that drew attention by skipping dating rumors and announcing their marriage immediately. Actor Kwak Si-yang and former Lovelyz member Yoo Ji-ae attracted attention by announcing a surprise marriage without any prior dating rumors.

◇Ha Young Steps Down from ‘Trauma Center’
Actress Ha Young has voluntarily withdrawn from the Netflix series “Trauma Center” amid controversy over her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho’s pro-Japanese activities. On the 1st, Ha Young told Edaily, “Out of respect for the actress’s position, it has been decided that Ha Young will not appear in the next season of ‘Trauma Center.’”
Ha Young made a strong impression playing the role of nurse Cheon Jang-mi in the popular Netflix series “Trauma Center.” She subsequently took on a leading role in the Netflix series “Such a Shitty Love.” In numerous broadcasts and interviews, Ha Young had stated that her family had been doctors for generations, starting with her great-grandfather. However, she came under fire after it was revealed that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, had engaged in pro-Japanese activities—including membership in the Daejeong Friendship Association, a pro-Japanese organization during the Japanese colonial period.
In a handwritten apology, Ha Young bowed her head and said, “I only had a fragmentary understanding of my great-grandfather’s life based on stories passed down through my family. Shamefully, in that state of ignorance, I spoke of my great-grandfather on various occasions as if he were a source of family pride.” She added, “I will take this matter deeply to heart. I will take a closer look at my family’s history and that era, and I will adopt a more cautious attitude toward history in the future.”

◇Ji Ye-eun ♥ Bata: “We’ll Live a Loving Life Together”
Ji Ye-eun and Bata will hold their wedding ceremony on December 12 at a location in Seoul. Ji Ye-eun’s agency, CPN Entertainment, announced on the 2nd, “The couple has promised to share their lives together based on their deep faith,” adding, “We ask for your warm congratulations and support for their future as they embark on this new chapter.”
The couple confirmed their relationship last April. Five months later, they announced their engagement, receiving congratulations from many. Born in 1994, the same age, the two met as friends at church and grew close through shared interests and their faith, eventually becoming a couple.
On the 2nd, Ji Ye-eun posted on her social media about Bata, saying, “He is someone who has always been on my side, been a source of strength for me, and taught me what it means to share happiness together.” She continued, “Going forward, we will be a reliable support for each other and live healthy, happy lives together. We would be grateful if you could support and bless us with warm hearts,” sharing her thoughts on the marriage announcement.
Bata also expressed his affection for Ji Ye-eun on social media, saying, “She is like a gift—someone who sees me just as I am and loves me,” and added, “I am truly grateful to her for teaching me what love is, having lived a life focused solely on work.”
He continued, “From now on, we’ll rely on each other and live a sweet, loving life together,” adding, “We’d be truly grateful if you could celebrate this with warm hearts. We’ll strive to live our lives giving back as much as the support you’ve sent our way.”

◇Kwak Si-yang ♥ Yoo Ji-ae: Tying the Knot Without Dating Rumors
Another actor couple is about to be formed. Kwak Si-yang and Yoo Ji-ae are set to tie the knot this coming November. Although there were no dating rumors, it is reported that they have pledged their lives to each other after dating for about a year.
Kwak Si-yang’s agency, 9Ato Entertainment, announced in an official statement on the 3rd, “Kwak Si-yang is scheduled to marry singer and actress Yoo Ji-ae this November.”
They added, “The two have pledged their future to one another based on deep trust and love.”
Yoo Ji-ae’s agency, YG K Plus, also announced, “Yoo Ji-ae is marrying actor Kwak Si-yang,” adding, “Having nurtured their love for one another over the course of about a year, they have promised to build a future together.”
Kwak Si-yang was born in 1987, and Yoo Ji-ae in 1993, making them six years apart. They will hold a private wedding ceremony this November at an undisclosed location in Seoul, inviting family, relatives, and close friends.

◇“I Live Alone” Finally Issues an Apology
The production team of “I Live Alone,” which had been embroiled in controversy over the fabrication of TV personality Jeon Hyun-moo’s “spontaneous trip,” has once again issued a statement and apologized. In the episode of “I Live Alone” that aired on the 14th of last month, Jeon Hyun-moo was shown buying a ticket on a whim at Incheon International Airport and setting off on a trip to Kazakhstan.
However, allegations of fabrication surfaced after the broadcast. Viewers questioned how he was able to book a flight immediately while accompanied by numerous production staff, and why he was able to easily reserve a rental car locally despite the complex procedures involved.
In response, the production team of “I Live Alone” stated on the 4th, “The ‘spontaneous trip’ depicted in the broadcast referred to Jeon Hyun-moo deciding on his destination on the day of departure without having predetermined the destination or flight tickets in advance,” adding, “For this episode, the production team had reviewed flight options and filming conditions in advance in preparation for the possibility of overseas filming.”
They continued, “To ensure we could respond immediately to filming if the trip to Kazakhstan was confirmed, we had already booked staff tickets and requested local filming assistance. If Jeon Hyun-moo had chosen a different destination that day or been unable to secure a flight to Kazakhstan, we planned to cancel the staff tickets and naturally incorporate any unexpected situations arising from that process as part of the travel experience.”
They also noted that they had received support from the Almaty City Tourism Bureau. The production team said, “We received assistance from the Almaty City Tourism Bureau regarding the administrative procedures required for overseas filming and on-site coordination.” Our previously stated position that ‘there was no support’ referred to the absence of financial sponsorship or production cost support; however, since this phrasing could be interpreted to mean there was absolutely no administrative or filming assistance from local authorities, we are providing this additional clarification,” they explained. The production team added, “We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”
Regarding the use of a rental car, they acknowledged, “After the broadcast, we received feedback pointing out deficiencies in the relevant documentation. Upon verification through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan, we belatedly realized that renting a vehicle within Kazakhstan requires a notarization procedure from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in South Korea. This was an oversight on the part of the production team for failing to carefully review local regulations.”
The production team stated, “We take the criticism and reproach you have sent us very seriously,” adding, “We will return to our original intentions, reevaluate our production methods and attitudes from the ground up, and produce programs with greater care.”