Actor Kim Soo-hyun’s highly anticipated return to the small screen with the Disney+ original series “Knockoff” is back in the spotlight, following the arrest of a YouTuber who spread false allegations against the prominent K-drama star.
The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui, the head of HoverLab, which operates the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute. Kim Se-ui faces serious charges of defamation and manipulating evidence, including the use of artificial intelligence, in relation to his content.
This significant development has reignited discussions about the future of Kim Soo-hyun’s career and, more specifically, the release of the Disney+ series “Knockoff.” The K-drama’s production and airing had been put on hold amidst the controversy stemming from the YouTuber’s claims, which included allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.
Kim Soo-hyun was slated to play the male lead in the black comedy series before the scandal embroiled him over a year ago. Although the first season had completed filming, the streaming service made the decision to postpone its airing and indefinitely delay the production of a second season.
However, optimism for the series’ eventual release grew in March when Kim’s lawyer hinted that Disney+ was actively considering adding “Knockoff” to its lineup for the first half of this year.
The highly ambitious “Knockoff” reportedly boasts a substantial budget of 60 billion won (approximately $39.9 million). The black comedy is set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and follows Kim Soo-hyun’s character, an average office worker who unexpectedly rises to prominence in the world of counterfeit luxury goods.
Kim’s agency, Gold Medalist, released a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the court’s ruling underscores the falsity of the allegations and evidence presented against the actor. Despite this vindication, the company informed the media that there have been “no concrete updates” regarding the much-anticipated premiere of the series.
