Kim Soo-Hyun‘s Disney+ original series Knock Off was put on indefinite hold in 2025 amid the popular K-drama actor’s controversy linked to Kim Sae-Ron and their six-year-long relationship.
Sae-Ron was found dead at her home in Seoul, South Korea, on February 16, 2025, at age 24. Kim Soo-hyun’s career went through a rough phase after he was accused of being in a relationship with the late actress when she was just 15. Now, he is reportedly looking forward to making a comeback. According to reports, Knock Off is said to be back on track after the actor made a clean exit from the controversy.
Knock Off to release in 2026?
As per Hallyu Forums, after remaining on an indefinite hold for nearly a year, Knock Off is now reportedly being reconsidered for a first-half 2026 release. Mounted on an estimated 60 billion won investment, Disney+ is restructuring its 2026 content lineup and adjusting the scheduling of the series.
About Knock Off
According to reports, Knock Off follows the story of Kim Seong-jun, whose stable life as an ordinary office worker is shattered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. This transforms him into the king of the global counterfeit market as he navigates unemployment, steps into the shadowy world of counterfeiting, and rises to become the vice president of the notorious ‘Saemmul Market’-a bustling hub of illicit trade-using his exceptional intellect, quick adaptability, and fierce ambition to dominate not just South Korea but the international counterfeit scene. His former lover, Song Hye-jeong, is a special judicial police officer tasked with cracking down on counterfeit goods, engaging him in a tense game of pursuit.
Why was Knock Off postponed?
Kim Sae-Ron’s death and her alleged relationship with Kim Soo-Hyun had sparked a scandal after an explosive YouTube video claimed they dated for 6 years. Garosero Research Institute uploaded a video in March last year where her aunt went on to claim that the actress dated Soo-Hyun from 2015 to 2022. Following her DUI incident, they broke up.
When the actress landed in legal trouble for a drunk-driving accident, the talent management agency, Gold Medalist, established by Soo-Hyun, took care of the financial aspect. Things took an ugly turn after her contract ended. She felt ‘betrayed’ when Gold Medalist asked her to pay back the money. Kim Soo-hyun failed to respond to her. Kim Sae-Ron was allegedly projected in a wrong light.
As Gold Medalist was dragged into the matter, it issued an official statement reacting to Kim Sae-Ron’s aunt and Garo-SEO Research Institute’s claims. It read, “The claims made by the Garo-SEO Research Institute regarding actor Kim Soo-hyun through a YouTube broadcast are clear falsehoods. All of these are falsehoods that cannot be overlooked, and we are considering the strongest legal action we can take.”
In the final legal update, Kim Soo Hyun was granted relief and was eligible to sue the YouTube channel Garo-SEO for spreading lies.