
Disney+ has confirmed that the drama 'Knock-Off', starring actor Kim Soo Hyun, is not currently scheduled for release. This follows ongoing controversy surrounding the actor, including allegations of a past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron during her teenage years and claims that he pressured her to repay debts.
On March 31st KST, multiple users shared emails they received from Disney+ headquarters, in which the company responded to inquiries about 'Knock-Off' by stating, “'Knock-Off' is not on the current release schedule for Disney+.” This marks the first direct response after weeks of silence.
Previously, a Disney+ spokesperson had stated on March 21st that the company decided to put the drama’s release on hold “after careful consideration.” Originally slated for an April release following 'Hyperknife', 'Knock-Off' now faces an uncertain future.
Industry insiders estimate that the drama’s production budget reached 60 billion KRW (approximately 40 million USD), and if the project is canceled, Kim Soo Hyun may be liable for penalties ranging from 18 billion to 180 billion KRW(approximately 12 million USD to 120 million USD), depending on contractual terms. It is common practice for actors to pay two to three times the production cost in damages when a show is canceled due to personal scandals.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun held a press conference on March 31st, vehemently denying all allegations related to Kim Sae Ron.
SEE ALSO: Late actress Kim Sae Ron’s family claims friends knew of relationship with Kim Soo Hyun