Amid actor Lee Ji-ah's statement regarding the controversy surrounding her grandfather's pro-Japanese activities, there are voices among netizens calling for an end to the guilt by association against descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators.

On the 19th, a media outlet reported that a legal dispute had arisen among children over a land inheritance worth 35 billion won left by Lee Ji-ah's grandfather Kim Soon-hung, bringing the controversy back to the surface. According to the report, Lee Ji-ah's father, Mr. Kim, is the youngest among the siblings, and he is under suspicion of having forged powers of attorney by using his older brother's and sister's seals during the land buyback process.

This naturally has also impacted Lee Ji-ah's image. Some netizens were deeply shocked solely by the fact that Lee Ji-ah is a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator, leading to continued negative perceptions. As the controversy intensified, Lee Ji-ah's side also spoke up. On the 21st, she publicly shared her stance regarding her grandfather for the first time through her agency BH Entertainment.

Lee Ji-ah noted, "After a long time of contemplation and being cautious, I believe it is right to fulfill my responsibility to correct the facts even now, so I will speak up with courage, even though it's difficult. I have never received any financial support from my parents since I became independent at 18 years old and, regrettably, it has been over 10 years since I have cut ties with my parents due to a complicated family history. My grandfather passed away when I was two years old, so I have no memory of him, and I grew up without knowing anything about his pro-Japanese activities."

In particular, regarding allegations that she promoted herself by highlighting her family, she said, "I have never published promotional articles using my family. However, there are erroneous reports circulating online and in comments stating that I said, ‘I respect my grandfather,’ which is not true, and I wish to correct this. I sincerely apologize as a descendant." This has drawn attention to Lee Ji-ah amid the fallout from her activities.

In response, some netizens commented, “Did anyone want to be born as a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator?” “Excessive criticism should be avoided; the guilt by association must end,” and “At least she has apologized as a descendant, so enough with the criticism.”