Kim Soo Hyun has found himself at the center of a major controversy, which has had serious consequences on both his personal and professional life. The actor was alleged to have been in a romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was still underage. This accusation sparked public outrage and has since impacted his standing in the entertainment industry.
As the controversy gained traction, several prominent brands that once endorsed Kim Soo Hyun severed their ties with him. According to media reports, as many as 25 companies ended their contracts, including the luxury fashion house Prada. The brand opted to replace him with a younger American-Korean celebrity, signaling a clear shift in public image priorities.
Soo Hyun’s much-anticipated drama, Knock Off, where he stars opposite Jo Bo Ah, has also suffered setbacks amid the controversy. Disney+ reportedly halted the production of the series indefinitely. The project’s progress has come to a standstill, with no clear indication of when—or if—it will resume.
The scale of Knock Off only heightens the stakes. With a production budget estimated at 60 billion Korean won, the drama stands as one of the most costly ever undertaken in South Korea. Should Disney+ ultimately decide to shelve the project, production companies Arc Media and SLL could face devastating financial losses.
Further complicating matters, if Kim Soo Hyun is found guilty of any wrongdoing, the producers might seek substantial damages from him. There’s ongoing speculation that if Disney+ opts out, the series could be picked up by other major streaming platforms like Netflix or Viki, giving the project a potential lifeline.
Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged involving GaroSero, a YouTube channel accused of using artificial intelligence to fabricate evidence tied to Kim Soo Hyun’s case. The channel’s CEO is under scrutiny for disseminating false AI-generated claims, which shifted public sentiment somewhat in favor of the actor.
In light of all this, Disney+ has reportedly removed Knock Off from its 2025 release lineup. Insiders claim the company is considering pushing the launch to 2026, pending a more favorable public reception. Notably, promotional posters for the show were previously seen on IMDb, indicating the company had high hopes before the scandal.
The series stars Kim Soo Hyun as a young man who ventures into the criminal underworld to survive. Alongside him, the cast includes Jo Bo Ah, Kwon Nara, Bang Hyo Rin, Yoo Jae Myung, and Kim Hye Eun. The ensemble was expected to draw a large audience, but now the future of the show remains uncertain.