The fate of Disney+‘s highly anticipated series, “Knock-Off,” starring Kim Soo Hyun, hangs in the balance amidst swirling controversies surrounding the actor’s private life. With the platform officially “holding off on the release,” speculation is rife about the series’ future and the potential financial repercussions for the star.
Release in Limbo
Disney+ has remained tight-lipped, reiterating their stance of “holding off on the release” when questioned by OSEN. This vague statement effectively puts “Knock-Off,” originally slated for release this month, in indefinite limbo. The series, which tells the story of an ordinary office worker transforming into the “King of Counterfeits” during the IMF crisis, was expected to follow the success of “Casino” and was planned for multiple seasons.
The sudden halt in release stems from the recent controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun’s past romantic allegations with the late Kim Sae Ron, who was a minor at the time. This sparked significant public backlash, leading to Disney+‘s decision to postpone the series.
Astronomical Penalty Rumors Dismissed
Amidst the uncertainty, rumors of astronomical penalties for Kim Soo Hyun have surfaced. With a reported production cost of 60 billion won and Kim Soo Hyun’s appearance fee of 900 million won, some netizens speculated penalties ranging from 180 billion won to a staggering 1.8 trillion won.
However, industry insiders have dismissed these claims as exaggerated. They point out that the reported production cost often reflects the OTT platform’s acquisition price, not the actual net production cost. Furthermore, actor contracts are typically made with production companies, not directly with OTT platforms like Disney+. The payment of appearance fees is also often spread throughout the filming process, not a lump sum.
Kim Soo Hyun has vehemently denied the allegations, particularly those stemming from the YouTube channel “Garosero Research Institute” (Gaseyeon), and has announced his intention to sue them for 12 billion won in damages. Despite this, Gaseyeon has hinted at releasing further videos, keeping public criticism against the actor alive.
The Future of “Knock-Off”
With filming nearing completion, the potential “discontinuation” of “Knock-Off” poses a significant concern. The focus now shifts to the legal outcome of the allegations against Kim Soo Hyun and how it will impact the series’ future.
Will Disney+ eventually release “Knock-Off”? Will the legal battles further complicate the situation? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comment section below.
