How Much Would Kim Soo-hyun Owe If Disney+ Cancels Knock-Off?

What happens when a ₩60 billion K-drama led by one of Korea’s biggest stars gets shelved right before release? In Kim Soo-hyun’s case, it could mean a penalty as high as ₩100 billion (approx. $74 million).

Knock-Off, a Disney+ original series starring Kim Soo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah, had nearly completed production for both Season 1 and 2, with a release originally slated for as early as next month. The drama, set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, follows the story of Kim Sung-jun — an ordinary office worker turned kingpin of the global counterfeit goods market. It was one of Disney+ Korea’s most ambitious projects to date, with a budget exceeding ₩60 billion.

But the rollout has now come to a screeching halt. On March 21, Disney+ announced it would indefinitely postpone the release of Knock-Off, citing "careful deliberation" following mounting controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun’s private life.

The scandal stems from claims made by the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who say Kim dated her from the age of 15 for six years. The allegations have been backed by photos, letters reportedly sent during Kim’s military service, and recently, KakaoTalk messages and a second legal notice found among Kim Sae-ron’s belongings. The family also accused Kim of pressuring her to stay silent and claimed his actions contributed to her mental distress and tragic passing last month.

Initially, Kim’s agency, Gold Medalist, strongly denied the claims, stating the two only dated after Kim Sae-ron turned 19, between mid-2019 and late 2020. But public sentiment quickly turned negative, especially after the family held a press conference on March 27, presenting more alleged evidence — including messages and legal documents that appeared to warn Kim Sae-ron against speaking out.

Now, the repercussions are going far beyond PR damage. With Knock-Off at risk of cancellation, industry insiders are speculating about the potential penalty Kim could face under his contract with Disney. According to entertainment sources, global platforms like Disney often include strict clauses that hold lead actors financially liable if personal controversies derail a project. These penalties often range from 20% to even 50% of the total production cost. In Knock-Off’s case, this means Kim could be on the hook for anywhere between ₩20 billion and ₩100 billion.

"Western platforms, especially in the U.S., treat scandals involving minors very seriously," one producer noted. “If Disney determines the project is no longer viable, Kim may face a massive claim for damages.”

Another veteran producer said he believes Disney will eventually release the show, stating, “They’re a business-first company. They’ll find a way to release it — and still pursue full compensation from Kim under contract.” He also warned, “U.S. platform contracts are notoriously strict. If they can make their money and still demand damages, they will.”

Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun is already feeling the financial fallout elsewhere. He has reportedly lost over 15 commercial endorsement deals, including with Shinhan Bank, Tous Les Jours, and Prada, with ad penalty estimates exceeding ₩10 billion.

Should Knock-Off be officially scrapped, the combined advertising and production-related penalties could push total damages to an astronomical figure — a financial hit that may be hard even for one of Korea’s highest-paid actors to weather.

Despite previously vowing legal action against “false rumors,” Kim’s agency has remained silent since the family’s latest press conference. As public scrutiny grows and the risk of more revelations looms, Kim Soo-hyun’s future — both onscreen and off — remains deeply uncertain.

Fallout Spreads: Kim Soo-hyun Loses Brand Deals, G-Dragon’s Good Day Canceled

The ripple effects of controversy continue to shake Korea’s entertainment scene — and two of its biggest names are feeling the impact.

Several global brands, including luxury fashion powerhouse Prada, have reportedly severed ties with top actor Kim Soo-hyun following public scrutiny surrounding his alleged relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Kim, once considered a “blue-chip” model in advertising, had over 15 active endorsement deals ranging from banking to fashion, but many of those are now being quietly suspended or terminated. Insiders estimate that the advertising fallout alone could cost the actor over ₩10 billion (approx. $7.4 million).

Kim’s agency has yet to issue a response to the latest round of brand exits, but industry experts suggest more deals may unravel as the situation develops — especially if further evidence surfaces or legal action is taken by either side.

Meanwhile, G-Dragon has also found himself sidelined. MBC has reportedly decided to halt or heavily edit Kim Soo-hyun's appearance on its upcoming variety show Good Day, following the controversy. Although the episode had already been filmed, the network is said to be reviewing whether to air it at all, reflecting growing concerns within the industry over the impact of ongoing public backlash on broadcast content. After a one-week break, MBC’s variety show Good Day returned with a teaser for its upcoming “General Assembly” episode—noticeably excluding Kim Soo-hyun amid his ongoing controversy.