Kim Soo Hyun’s flourishing career came to an abrupt halt after the controversy surrounding his relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron. Adding to his woes, he could be facing a lawsuit and a substantial fine due to production and release delays for his high-profile Disney+ series “Knock Off.”
SPOTV News reported Wednesday that production on Disney+’s upcoming series “Knock Off” has been suspended indefinitely, with the release date postponed.
According to the report, the production company formally notified cast and crew members about the filming suspension and schedule changes. Industry sources imply that the decision comes as the production team evaluates potential penalties for the delay.
“Knock Off” is an upcoming series starring Kim Soo-hyun as Kim Sung Joon. The story revolves around his transformation from an ordinary office worker to a key figure in the counterfeit goods market after the 1997 IMF crisis. Kim Soo Hyun shares the lead role with Jo Bo Ah in this 18-episode series.
The suspended production of Disney+’s “Knock Off”, a major 60 billion won (approximately $42 million) project, has ignited debate regarding potential financial repercussions for lead actor Kim Soo Hyun. The 37-year-old actor had reportedly been contracted for a 9 billion won (about $6.3 million) appearance fee.
Production sources confirm that penalty clauses for the delay are currently under discussion. While industry experts suggest potential damages as high as 180 billion won (three times the production budget). Notably, no official figures have been confirmed by the production company or Kim’s representatives.
He has temporarily suspended all professional activities following allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron during her minor years. He is also being accused of her death and forcing her to pay a 700 million won debt. Alleged text messages reveal her pleading not to take her to court for the debt and promising to pay the debt. Kim Sae Ron was unable to pay the debt since her acting career was on hold due to the DUI incident.
To address the growing backlash, Kim Soo Hyun held an emergency press conference on March 31. He tearfully addressed the accusations while denying dating the late actress when she was a minor.
Earlier, there were reports that the “Queen of Tears” actor and his agency, Gold Medalist, are facing financial challenges after the controversy erupted last month. They were reportedly unable to pay the litigation fees for the 12 billion won damages lawsuit against the bereaved family. The agency and his legal team denied reports and stated that all fees were paid.
With Kim Soo Hyun’s career now in question, production companies involved in his upcoming projects are reportedly taking a cautious stance. Rather than making immediate decisions, they are waiting to see how the legal situation develops before determining the next steps.
