It has been nearly a year since Kim Soo-hyun vanished from our screens. The Queen of Tears star saw his career come to a screeching halt in March 2025 after being accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. His massive 60 billion won Disney+ K-drama, Knock-Off, was shelved indefinitely. Now, fresh reports from Hallyu Forums suggest the streamer is ready to dust off the project and finally release it in the first half of 2026. Even Kim Soo-hyun’s own lawyer is stepping forward to say the news is “highly likely” to be true.
For fans who have been waiting patiently, this is the clearest signal yet that the actor’s long public hiatus might soon be over. But why is Disney+ changing its mind now, and what does this mean for the show’s co-star, Jo Bo-ah? Let’s break down everything we know right now about the potential return of Knock-Off.
The Big Budget Project That Got Frozen
Knock-Off is not just any drama. It is a massive, big-budget production that reportedly cost around 60 billion won (approximately USD 45 million or SGD 53 million) to make . The series was originally slated to premiere on Disney+ in April 2025. It was positioned as one of the platform’s most ambitious Korean originals for the year.
The plot is set during the late 1990s, specifically against the backdrop of the IMF financial crisis that hit South Korea hard. Kim Soo-hyun plays a man who loses everything in the economic meltdown. Desperate and broke, he gets pulled into the dangerous world of counterfeit goods. The story follows his journey as he climbs to the very top of this knock-off market, eventually becoming a powerful figure . Adding to the tension, his ex-girlfriend, played by Jo Bo-ah, is a special police officer tasked with shutting down the very crime ring he now runs .
With a plot like that and a star of Kim Soo-hyun’s caliber, Knock-Off was expected to be a global hit. But everything changed when the personal scandal broke.
Why the Show Was Stopped and Why It’s Coming Back
So, why is this project suddenly being talked about again? The answer comes down to two things: money and legal clarity.
First, the money. 60 billion won is too large an investment for Disney+ to simply write off and forget. Reports suggest that the financial pressure to recover that cost is a major factor driving the decision to finally air the series . Shelving it permanently would mean taking a massive financial loss. By releasing it, even with the attached controversy, Disney+ has a chance to recoup its investment, especially given Kim Soo-hyun’s strong global fanbase.
Second, the legal situation is clearing up. On February 28, 2026, Ko Sang-rock, the attorney representing Kim Soo-hyun, posted a statement on his personal channel addressing the reports from Korean media outlet The Fair . He confirmed that Disney+ is reorganizing its content lineup for the first half of the year and is coordinating the schedule for Knock-Off. He then added a very important opinion: “I believe it is highly likely to be true.” .
The lawyer also addressed the elephant in the room—the scandal. He pointed out that there is no photograph proving the relationship occurred while Kim Sae-ron was a minor, and that the truth will come out through the police investigation . He believes that once the risks are officially resolved for Disney, there will be no reason to delay the broadcast any longer . This public endorsement from his legal team is a strong signal that they are preparing for his return to the spotlight.
What’s Next? The March Meeting and Streaming Plan
According to industry insiders, the fate of Knock-Off will likely be discussed in a major investor relations meeting scheduled for early March 2026 . At this meeting, Disney+ executives are expected to talk about remaining filming schedules and the online release strategy for the series. If the green light is given, we could see an official announcement shortly after.
If the release goes ahead as speculated, Knock-Off will hit Disney+ viewers in the first half of 2026. This timing is crucial. It would mark Kim Soo-hyun’s official return to acting approximately one year after he last appeared publicly to hold a press conference denying the allegations .
For international audiences, this means the show will likely be available on Disney+ worldwide, including in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, around the same time as its Korean release. Given Disney+’s global reach, Knock-Off is positioned to reach a massive audience immediately.
The Controversy: A Quick Recap
To understand why this news is so big, you have to remember the storm that hit Kim Soo-hyun last year. In March 2025, following the passing of actress Kim Sae-ron, her family made serious allegations. They claimed that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with her for six years, starting when she was a middle school student—a minor .
Kim Soo-hyun strongly denied these claims. He held an emotional press conference where he stated, “I did not date the deceased when she was a minor. We dated five years ago for about a year, long before Queen of Tears aired.” . He explained that he denied the relationship earlier to protect the cast and crew of his hit drama. His agency also filed lawsuits against the YouTube channel and individuals spreading the allegations. The police investigation is reportedly in its final stages .
Despite his denials, the damage was immediate. Sponsors pulled out, and Disney+ paused the release of Knock-Off indefinitely . Now, nearly a year later, the industry is watching to see if he can successfully reboot his career.
Mixed Feelings Online and a Fresh Start for Jo Bo-ah
The news of his potential comeback has sparked mixed reactions online. While many international fans are excited to see him return, some Korean netizens have expressed frustration. Comments on social media range from calls for boycotts to statements defending the actor, noting that the accusations lack concrete evidence .
This situation also puts a spotlight on Jo Bo-ah, the female lead. For her, Knock-Off was supposed to be a huge moment—her first project after getting married. The postponement delayed her return to acting and even affected her personal life, as she had to postpone her honeymoon because of the scheduled filming and promotion . If the show finally airs this year, it will serve as a major comeback for her as well, giving her the spotlight she deserves in this high-budget production.
As of now, neither Disney+ nor the official production team has made a formal announcement. But with the lawyer’s confirmation and the March investor meeting on the horizon, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out if Knock-Off is truly back on the clock.
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Stay with VvipTimes for the latest updates, because if Knock-Off drops, it will be one of the biggest K-drama events of the year.
