Filming of new TV series ”Knock Off” starring actor Kim Soo Hyun to be ”suspended indefinitely”

The filming and release of Disney+'s next drama 'Knockoff' has been suspended indefinitely due to a series of events involving actor Kim Soo Hyun.

　According to a Korean media outlet, the production company of the drama recently informed the actors and staff of the indefinite suspension of filming. As a result, the release schedule has also been postponed without any promise.

　Knockoff, which has been filming with an astronomical production budget, recently hit a snag when Kim Soo Hyun became embroiled in allegations related to the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor, and it was alleged that Kim Sae-ron strongly urged him to repay a debt incurred from a drunk driving accident while she was struggling to make ends meet through her agency, which she and her family own.

　Kim Soo Hyun's side insisted several times that the allegations were untrue, and Kim Soo Hyun himself even held an emergency press conference, tearfully pleading his innocence, but the debate continues to this day.

　On the 31st of last month, Kim Soo Hyun held a press conference to deny all allegations. At the same time, he filed a 12 billion won lawsuit against the bereaved family, and began to respond forcefully. At the time of the press conference, however, the company maintained its position that the truth must be revealed through investigative agencies and court proceedings rather than by presenting concrete evidence, and it is believed that the production company also decided to monitor the relevant judicial proceedings.

　Knockoff is a blockbuster film with a total production cost of 60 billion won. Kim Soo Hyun's appearance fee is approximately 9 billion won, which accounts for about 15% of the total production cost. The production team is currently discussing the issue of penalty fees due to future production delays.

　Knockoff is a black comedy crime drama set against the backdrop of Korea's 1997 transit crisis, which depicts how a man whose life has been uprooted becomes the king of the global brand copy market. In addition to Kim Soo Hyun, actress Cho Boa, actor Yoo Jae-myung, and actress Kwon Nara were scheduled to appear in the film.