Kim Soo Hyun’s Disney+ series ‘Knock Off’ halts filming amid ongoing scandal

The Disney+ original series ‘Knock Off’, starring actor Kim Soo Hyun, has halted filming indefinitely as the controversy surrounding its lead actor continues to unfold.

On April 23rd KST, industry insiders reported that the production team officially notified cast and crew of an indefinite suspension of filming. This comes after Disney+ had already announced a postponement of the show’s release, citing the need for “careful deliberation.”

The decision follows a series of damaging allegations involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The actor has been accused of having dated Kim Sae Ron during her teenage years and allegedly pressuring her to repay debts incurred after her DUI incident using his family’s agency resources. Kim Soo Hyun has firmly denied all claims, even holding an emotional press conference to assert his innocence. Nevertheless, public scrutiny has not subsided.

‘Knock Off’, which had reached the final stages of filming with its 18-episode script reportedly completed, was initially expected to continue production despite the storm. Behind-the-scenes discussions continued in hopes of wrapping the shoot. However, the production team has since decided to pause everything, formally notifying staff and cast that no filming will resume in the near future.

Some actors and crew members who were on standby for the remaining shoots have since moved on to other projects.

Despite the setback, it is unlikely that ‘Knock Off’ will be scrapped altogether. Industry sources suggest that the series’ future hinges on how the situation surrounding Kim Soo Hyun resolves. The actor is currently involved in a high-stakes legal battle, having filed a 12 billion KRW (approx. $8.4 million USD) lawsuit against individuals tied to the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, which has been the source of many of the allegations.

As the legal case unfolds, the fate of ‘Knock Off’ remains in limbo, with its future release dependent on the outcome of the controversy that has clouded one of K-drama’s most anticipated productions.