Disney+ recently announced that one of the most anticipated Korean drama of the year, Knock Off, starring Kim Soo Hyun, has suffered a considerable delay.
Originally, the drama was planned to air in the first half of 2025, but now the schedule has become uncertain.
This schedule change not only affects fans who have been hoping to watch it. But it could also have a negative impact on some of the sponsors who have invested in the production of the drama.
Knock Off Drama Synopsis
Knock off is a drama set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian economic crisis. The drama tells the journey of a man who is dragged into the world of counterfeit goods. Kim Soo Hyun plays Kim Sung Joon, a vice president at a large company called Saemmul Market.
The company handled various counterfeit goods that were highly marketable in the Asian market at that time. On the other hand, Jo Bo Ah plays the character of Song Hye Jung, a law officer who tries to combat the rampant counterfeit trade.
With strong themes and deep social issues, previous predictions were that Knock Off would be a very successful drama. The drama is supported by a large production budget, so it is expected to attract a large audience.
In fact, there have even been discussions about potentially producing a second season if the first season is successful. However, due to the delay, those hopes are starting to dwindle, and more and more people are starting to feel anxious about the future of the drama.
Causes of Kim Soo Hyun’s Postponement and Controversy
The production of Knockoff was delayed due to some controversies involving the lead actor, Kim Soo Hyun. Some sources revealed that personal issues related to the alleged romantic relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron, which happened when Kim Sae Ron was a minor, was one of the reasons for the delay.
Although there has been no official statement from Kim Soo Hyun or his agency, the issue of personal problems has been quite a buzz on social media. This issue, which has now transformed into a major scandal, has had a significant impact on Knockoff’s promotional plans.
Although Kim Soo Hyun has a very good reputation in Korean entertainment, this scandal has made many people doubt whether the production and airing of the drama can still continue.
Influence on Sponsors
It is not only fans who are feeling the effects of this delay, but also a number of sponsors who have invested funds in this project. It is estimated that some of the major brands supporting the drama Knock Off will suffer significant losses.
Safety Zone Korea, a streetwear brand from South Korea, was involved in a controversy with Knockoff for product promotion. Its CEO, Park Ki Pyo, expressed his disappointment at the delay of the marketing campaign he had invested in, resulting in a huge financial loss for the company.
If the scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun continues, the production team will have to choose between continuing the drama with a replacement actor or finding another solution to complete production. However, if the problem can be resolved quickly, fans still have hope for the drama Knockoff to air as planned.
Kim Soo Hyun’s career continues to attract attention in the Korean entertainment world. The actor, who has received great success through dramas such as My Love from the Star and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, remains one of the most famous stars in Korea. As such, many people hope that the controversy will not damage Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation with the public.
