SEOUL, Aug. 13 -- A proud revelation about four generations of doctors has plunged rising South Korean actress Ahn Ha-young, known mononymously as Ha Young, into controversy - just as she was enjoying one of the biggest breaks of her career.

The actress, who stars in Netflix Korea's new romantic comedy Our Sticky Love, has faced mounting backlash after remarks about her distinguished medical family prompted scrutiny of her great-grandfather and his links to figures associated with Japan's colonial rule of Korea.

The controversy has erupted just days before South Korea marks Liberation Day on August 15, commemorating the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

According to The Korea Herald, the row began after comments Ha Young made abou...