The release schedule for Disney+’s original series ‘Knock-Off’ has been thrown into question following the controversy surrounding lead actor Kim Soo Hyun.
The series was originally set to premiere in the first half of the year, with a production presentation scheduled for next month. However, with allegations surfacing about Kim Soo Hyun’s alleged relationship with a minor, the timeline has become uncertain.
‘Knock-Off’ follows the story of a man whose life is upended by the IMF crisis and later rises to become the king of the counterfeit goods market. Kim Soo Hyun plays Kim Seong Jun, the vice president of Sammul Market, while Jo Bo Ah takes on the role of Song Hye Jung, a special judicial police officer tasked with cracking down on counterfeit goods. The series had garnered high expectations, especially with Season 2 currently in production, and a significant production budget already invested.
However, the recent allegations involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron have drastically altered the situation. If the controversy remains unresolved, it may be difficult for Kim Soo Hyun to attend the production press conference, and in the worst-case scenario, the broadcast itself could be canceled. Disney Korea responded to the speculation, stating, "The release schedule has not been confirmed."
The uncertainty surrounding ‘Knock-Off’ is expected to impact its production sponsors, with some companies already facing direct and indirect repercussions. Among them, the Korean street fashion brand Anjeonjidae Korea, which collaborated on the show’s production, has been affected by the situation.
Park Ki Pyo, CEO of Anjeonjidae Korea, stated, "Anjeonjidae is a company that values youthful sensibility and innovative brand identity, and we have been cooperating in the production of ‘Knock-Off.’ However, it is regrettable that the project has been disrupted due to an unexpected scandal." He further added, "We will wait for Disney’s announcement before deciding on our official stance."
Established in 1986, Anjeonjidae Korea was the first street fashion brand in Korea. It relaunched on Garosu-gil in Gangnam in 2020, aiming for global expansion. CEO Park Ki Pyo has been modernizing the safety zone concept with contemporary trends, further elevating the brand’s value.
Additionally, CEO Park faced a personal tragedy in May of last year, following the sudden passing of his younger sister, Park Kyung Ri, who was a director at Safety Zone Korea. Despite his grief, he has continued to push forward with the brand’s global expansion, stating, "Although we have endured difficult times, it is my responsibility to grow the brand and carry on my sister’s vision."
With the broadcast of ‘Knock-Off’ now in limbo, attention has also turned to the responses of its production sponsors, including Safety Zone Korea. An industry insider noted, "If this controversy drags on, there is a high likelihood that sponsors will also face damage to their brand image."
All eyes are now on Disney+ as the company decides whether to proceed with the original release plan for ‘Knock-Off’ or make adjustments to the schedule in light of the ongoing controversy.
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