Amid controversy involving actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron, the release of 'Knock-Off' on Disney+ has been postponed, impacting co-star Jo Bo Ah.
A representative from Disney+ informed OSEN on March 21 that they have decided to delay the release plans for 'Knock-Off' after careful consideration.
Kim Soo Hyun is facing backlash, leading to the termination of contracts by several brands and the removal of his scenes in MBC’s show 'Good Day,' resulting in this week’s broadcast being canceled. Consequently, the release of 'Knock-Off,' initially planned for the first half of the year, has been postponed indefinitely.
Although Disney+ had not officially confirmed 'Knock-Off' for an April release, it was widely anticipated to follow 'Hyper Knife' in the streaming lineup. The platform was finalizing the premiere date and press conference details until the controversy surrounding Kim Sae Ron unfolded.
The delay in releasing 'Knock-Off' has also caused a setback for Jo Bo Ah's return project.
Jo Bo Ah's last appearance was in JTBC’s 'Destined with You,' concluding in October 2023. A year later, in October 2024, she married her long-time non-celebrity boyfriend. Subsequently, she and Kim Soo Hyun attended the Disney Content Showcase APAC 2024 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for a press conference.
In 'Knock-Off,' Jo Bo Ah portrays Song Ye Jung, a district office official investigating counterfeit goods, opposite Kim Soo Hyun's character, Kim Sung Joon. Talking about her experience working with Kim Soo Hyun, she mentioned, “Although this is my first time acting alongside him, his expressive gaze and voice tone help me dive into the scene effortlessly. I felt at ease on set thanks to him and relied on him during filming.” She expressed her anticipation for enhancing their chemistry in the future.
'Knock-Off' was eagerly awaited as Jo Bo Ah's first project after her marriage, featuring Kim Soo Hyun in the lead and a significant production budget of 60 billion KRW (~45 million USD). However, the unexpected “Kim Soo Hyun scandal" has brought uncertainty to its release.
Nonetheless, Jo Bo Ah is lined up to appear in the Netflix series 'Tangum,' scheduled for release in 2025, with the exact date pending confirmation. This project is likely to mark her comeback post-marriage.
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing controversy, Kim Soo Hyun has paused his activities in Korea but plans to continue with his overseas engagements. His initial public appearance will be at a fan meeting in Taiwan, where additional security measures will be implemented.
As reported by Taiwan’s ET Today on March 21, Kim Soo Hyun is expected to join the Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival on March 30, organized by a convenience store brand, for a fan meeting. Approximately 50 police officers will be deployed for security, prepared to take action in case of any illegal or disorderly behavior.