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PHOTOS Celeb descendants of independence fighters

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By Park Si-soo

A list of celebrities born to families who fought for the nation’s independence from Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945) is going viral on the internet on the occasion of the March 1 Independence Movement Day.

1. Kim Ji-seok

Actor Kim Ji-seok is a grandson of late independence fighter Kim Sung-il, who fought for Korea’s independence in China under the leadership of Kim Ku, head of Korea’s government-in-exile in Shanghai. According to historic documents, the late Kim joined a squad of rifle-armed independence activists in 1916, but was caught and tortured for four months by Japanese troops in 1932.

2. Shin Hae-chul

K-pop musician Shin Hae-chul, who died in 2014 in a medical accident, is widely known for his patriotic family background. His maternal great grandfather, Lee Sung-goo, was one of the key organizers of the nationwide anti-Japan demonstrations in 1919. The senior Shin is known to have been jailed for 20 months for sabotaging Japan’s administration buildings and residential facilities in his hometown. His dedication to independence was recognized with a presidential citation conferred in 1977 and an Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1990.

3. Park Hwan-hee

Actress Park Hwan-hee is a granddaughter of late independence fighter Ha Jong-jin. Ha is known to have contributed to the March 1 Independence Movement in 1919 by doling out handmade national flags to the crowd and cheering them up. He reportedly attempted to blow up a Japanese administration building in Daegu with handmade bombs in 1926 but failed, which landed him in prison.

4. Song Dae-kwan

Trot singer Song Dae-kwan is a grandson of the late Song Young-geun, who fought for independence in South Jeolla Province. The senior Song was reportedly jailed for six months after being caught giving out national flags and independence statements to a crowd of people gathered for the March 1 Independence Movement. His contribution was recognized with a presidential citation conferred in 1992.