The Disney+ original series ‘Knock Off‘, featuring Kim Soo Hyun, has reportedly come to an indefinite standstill. Industry insiders revealed on April 23rd KST that the production team has officially informed the cast and crew of a suspension of filming, throwing the future of the project into uncertainty. This development follows Disney+‘s earlier announcement of a postponed release, citing the need for “careful deliberation” amidst the escalating controversy surrounding its lead actor.
The decision to halt production stems from a series of damaging allegations that have engulfed Kim Soo Hyun, primarily involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The accusations include claims of a past relationship with Kim Sae Ron during her teenage years and allegations of pressuring her to use his family’s agency resources to repay debts following her DUI incident. While Kim Soo Hyun has vehemently denied all accusations, even holding an emotional press conference to assert his innocence, the public scrutiny surrounding the matter has shown no signs of abating.
‘Knock Off‘, an 18-episode series that had reportedly completed its script and was in the final stages of filming, was initially expected to continue production despite the ongoing storm. Behind-the-scenes discussions had reportedly been underway to find a way to wrap the remaining shoots. However, the production team has now made the move to pause all filming activities indefinitely, formally notifying staff and cast that no further work will commence in the near future. This pause has already had tangible effects, with some actors and crew members who were on standby for the remaining scenes reportedly moving on to other projects.
Despite this significant setback, industry sources suggest that Disney+ is unlikely to completely scrap ‘Knock Off‘. The series, which undoubtedly carries a substantial investment, is believed to have its future intrinsically linked to the resolution of the situation surrounding Kim Soo Hyun. The actor is currently engaged in a high-stakes legal battle, having filed a significant 12 billion KRW (approximately $8.4 million USD) lawsuit against individuals associated with the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, which has been the primary source of many of the damaging allegations.
Given the serious allegations and the halt in production, what do you think Disney+’s next move should be regarding ‘Knock Off’? Let us know in the comment section below!
