The show’s studio, ARC Media, abruptly halted filming as the actor faces intense public scrutiny over allegations stemming from his past relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron.
The scandal has not only thrown the series’ future into question but is also poised to trigger a costly legal and financial fallout for all involved.
Kim Soo-hyun in a still from the Disney+ original series Knock Off, which has paused filming amid the actor’s dating controversy.
According to a report by SPOTV News, ARC Media notified the cast and crew that Knock Off’s filming would be suspended indefinitely.
The controversy in question centers on claims that 37-year-old Kim Soo-hyun dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, a bombshell that emerged after Kim Sae-ron’s untimely death in February. The allegations first surfaced on YouTube through a controversial channel backed by the late actress’s relatives, sending shockwaves through the industry.
Kim Soo-hyun has denied any illegal wrongdoing – refuting that he dated Kim Sae-ron during her minor years – and his agency Goldmedalist slammed the claims as baseless, saying the actor has been unfairly linked to the tragedy.
The halt of Knock Off has immediate financial repercussions. ARC Media is reportedly exploring legal action to recoup losses from the delay, and Kim Soo-hyun may be on the hook.
Reports say the production company is considering seeking up to ₩18 billion (around $13 million) in damages from the actor for the disruption. That sum is nearly triple the show’s original budget estimates and reflects the severe cost of an indefinite shutdown with a large cast and crew idled.
At the heart of this crisis is the sensational dating scandal and its ripple effect on Kim Soo-hyun’s image.
The late Kim Sae-ron, a former child star, died in February at age 24 under circumstances that remain sensitive. In the weeks following her death, allegations emerged that she had secretly dated Kim Soo-hyun for years, starting in 2015 when she was a third-year middle school student. These accusations painted a picture of a powerful actor exploiting a vulnerable junior colleague – a narrative that ignited public anger.
Kim Soo-hyun initially flatly denied the dating allegations. However, as evidence mounted, he conceded that he and Kim Sae-ron had been involved, but only from 2019 to 2020, after she had reached adulthood. That admission came only after Kim Sae-ron’s family went public, holding a press conference on March 27 to air what they claimed were old messages from Kim Soo-hyun to the actress in 2016.
In one message, a 28-year-old Kim allegedly told the 16-year-old Sae-ron: “Give me a real kiss later. Is that forbidden too?”
Such revelations directly contradicted Kim’s timeline of events and led many to question his credibility. The scandal has since dominated entertainment headlines in South Korea, fueled by daily updates from gossip outlets and YouTubers leaking purported evidence.
The stakes extend beyond a single drama. Kim Soo-hyun is one of South Korea’s most bankable leading men, known for hit series like My Love from the Star and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. However, in the span of weeks, his spotless reputation has been gravely tarnished.
The backlash has been swift and tangible. Major brands have distanced themselves from the actor amid the outcry. Luxury fashion house Prada, which had signed Kim as an ambassador, quietly cut ties with him in mid-March as the dating allegations gained traction. Korean cosmetics company Dinto likewise terminated its advertising contract.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for Knock Off.
A source close to the production indicated optimism that the show might resume once the furor dies down, suggesting it is unlikely Knock Off will be permanently shelved.
As of today, however, Knock Off remains on ice with no new release date in sight. ARC Media and Disney+ are keeping a low profile, monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
Whether the series can eventually be salvaged – or if its lead will face legal and financial repercussions – depends largely on how the Kim Sae-ron saga resolves.
In the meantime, South Korea’s entertainment world is bracing for the legal showdown and reputational fallout that could redefine the boundaries of accountability for its stars. The cameras may have stopped rolling on Knock Off, but all eyes are on Kim Soo-hyun as this real-life drama plays out.
The post Kim Soo-hyun scandal: Disney+ K-drama ‘Knock Off’ halted appeared first on DMNews.
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