Actor Ha Young set to return for 'Trauma Center' season 2 despite pro-Japanese ancestry controversy

Actor Ha Young, who has been embroiled in controversy over her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese colonial-era activities, is set to appear in the next season of the Netflix series "Trauma Center," according to reports.

OSEN reported Wednesday that Netflix is planning not only a second season of "Trauma Center" but also a third, and that Ha Young, who plays Cheon Jang-mi in the series, will continue in the role without being replaced.

However, a Netflix official struck a cautious tone on the question of season 3 and Ha Young's involvement, saying production of a follow-up "is still at the discussion stage" and that "nothing has been confirmed regarding specific filming schedules or cast composition."

The controversy began after Ha Young mentioned on a variety show that she came from "a family of doctors for four generations," which prompted the revelation that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, had served as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmok-hoe — a pro-Japanese organization — in 1916.

Her agency initially dismissed the allegations as "groundless," only to apologize the following day, saying it was "truly sorry for causing confusion by responding hastily without sufficient verification." Ha Young herself also bowed in apology, saying she "reflects on having casually mentioned family history without properly understanding the painful chapter of our nation's history under Japanese colonial rule."

Meanwhile, Lee Nak-jun, the author of the original work on which "Trauma Center" is based, appeared on KBS2's "Mal Ja Show" on Monday and said pre-production work on season 2 had been completed and that a filming location was being selected, with a target start of October.