[THE FACT] Kim Soo-hyun Signals Comeback Through Advertising… Will the Shelved ₩60 Billion Blockbuster
#KnockOff Also Be Released? [IT Talk]
By Koo Ja-yoon
Actor
#KimSoohyun is drawing renewed attention not only for resuming activities through a commercial shoot, but also for the fate of the postponed Disney series “Knock-Off.”
According to industry sources on the 12th, Kim Soo-hyun will film a commercial on July 14 for the Philippines’ leading fashion brand, Bench. It will mark his first official schedule in approximately a year since the controversy erupted last year.
Because advertising campaigns rely heavily on a model’s public image and the trust associated with a brand, many view the decision to cast Kim Soo-hyun again as highly significant. Industry insiders are interpreting this commercial shoot as the effective starting point of his return to public activities.
Recently, developments in the controversy surrounding him have also begun to shift following the detention and prosecution of Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel HoverLab (Garo Sero Research Institute).
Police reportedly concluded that Kim Se-ui used generative artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate the voice of the late actress Kim Sae-ron, and that KakaoTalk conversations presented as evidence of a romantic relationship had also been fabricated. The court likewise issued an arrest warrant, stating that there was a risk of evidence destruction and flight. A subsequent request by Kim’s side for a detention review was also dismissed.
As circumstances change, industry attention has naturally turned to Disney ’s original series “Knock-Off,” whose release has been put on hold.
Starring Kim Soo-hyun, Knock-Off is a major production reportedly made with a budget of approximately ₩60 billion (around US$43 million) invested by Disney .
The series had originally been expected to premiere around April last year, with production already largely completed. Prior to that, Kim Soo-hyun and actress Jo Bo-ah personally attended a global press conference held in Singapore to introduce the project.
However, as the controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun intensified afterward, the release schedule was postponed indefinitely. Disney has since refrained from announcing any release plans, choosing instead to monitor the situation.
Industry observers believe that if Kim Soo-hyun’s return through advertising marks the beginning of a full-scale comeback, discussions regarding the release of Knock-Off could also regain momentum.
That said, given the nature of a global streaming platform, the decision on whether and when to release the series is expected to depend on a comprehensive assessment of domestic and international public opinion, market response, and potential brand risks. As a result, further review is likely before an actual release date is determined.
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