The Longshot Trial: SBS Weighs Broadcast Options Amid Ha Young Controversy
SBS is facing a major dilemma regarding its upcoming legal comedy drama The Longshot Trial, starring Lee Je Hoon and Ha Young. The network is carefully reviewing its options as controversy continues to build around lead actress Ha Young following disclosures regarding her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese activities during the colonial era.
Why Is Ha Young Facing Controversy?
The issue began after Ha Young mentioned on a broadcast that her family spanned “four generations of doctors” and that her great-grandfather treated Emperor Gojong. Subsequent historical records revealed her great-grandfather to be An Sang Ho, who was listed as a councilor for the pro-Japanese group Daejeong Chinmokhoe in 1916. While her agency initially denied the claims, they later issued an official apology for providing an unverified statement. Ha Young also released a handwritten apology, admitting she had only known partial fragments of her family history through stories passed down at home.
SBS Releases Statement on The Longshot Trial
Despite the apology, public criticism has remained intense, creating a difficult situation for the network. On August 20, SBS released an official statement: “We are taking the recent matter involving the cast member very seriously. We are currently engaged in cautious, multi-faceted discussions with the production company and relevant parties.”
Why Recasting Ha Young Would Be Difficult
The situation is particularly complex for the production team. The drama has already completed the vast majority of filming. Replacing the lead actress at this stage would require discarding existing footage and reshooting most of the series, leading to massive financial losses and scheduling conflicts for co-star Lee Je Hoon, the cast, and the crew.
The Longshot Trial Faces a Sensitive 2027 Premiere
The Longshot Trial is scheduled to premiere in early 2027, with target dates falling around late February—just days before Samiljeol (Independence Movement Day on March 1). Broadcasting a drama based on a Japanese original series starring an actress entangled in pro-Japanese ancestry controversies right before the national holiday adds significant pressure.
Return to Set: After emotionally breaking down on set on August 13 and taking a one-week break, Ha Young officially returned to finish the remaining filming schedule while SBS determines its final course of action.
The Longshot Trial follows former lawyer turned legal clerk Kwon Baek (Lee Je Hoon) and rookie lawyer Yeo Shim Hee (Ha Young) as they tackle seemingly unwinnable court cases. Whether SBS will proceed with the original broadcast schedule or pursue alternative options remains to be seen.
