The entertainment industry’s intersection with ethical considerations has once again come to the forefront as Disney+ faces significant backlash from viewers and K-drama enthusiasts worldwide. On May 2, 2025, an unexpected development reignited a controversy that many thought had been put to rest when promotional material for the indefinitely shelved thriller series “Knock-Off” appeared on IMDb, featuring lead actor Kim Soo-hyun.
This sudden reemergence of visuals for a production that had been halted amid serious allegations has sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many subscribers threatening to cancel their Disney+ memberships in protest. The controversy stems from allegations connecting the 37-year-old actor to the late actress Kim Sae-ron, with claims of an inappropriate relationship while she was underage—allegations that Kim Soo-hyun has vehemently denied and responded to with legal action.
The timing of this promotional material’s appearance has raised questions about Disney+’s intentions and priorities, with critics suggesting the streaming giant may be testing public reaction before potentially moving forward with the release of the nearly completed 18-episode series. As the situation continues to unfold, it highlights the complex dynamics between commercial interests, public perception, and ethical responsibility in the global streaming landscape.
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Kim Soo-hyun: Promotional Material Resurfaces Despite Production Halt
The unexpected appearance of “Knock-Off” promotional material on IMDb on May 2 caught many industry observers by surprise, particularly given Disney+’s previous decision to indefinitely halt the thriller’s production. The visual, featuring lead actor Kim Soo-hyun, appeared without any official announcement or context from the streaming platform, creating immediate confusion about the project’s status.
What makes this development particularly controversial is the timing—the promotional material surfaced while the production remains officially paused due to serious allegations surrounding Kim Soo-hyun. The origin of the promotional still remains unverified, with some speculating it could be fan-submitted content rather than an official Disney+ release. However, its presence on IMDb, a respected industry database, has led many to question whether this indicates some level of official approval or a strategic move by the streaming platform.
Disney+’s silence on the matter has only intensified speculation and fueled the growing backlash. The company has not issued any statement regarding the uploaded image or clarified its intentions regarding the future of “Knock-Off.” This communication vacuum has allowed public interpretation to run rampant, with many viewers assuming the worst about the company’s motivations.
Industry insiders note that the series was reportedly near completion when production was halted, with all 18 episodes scripted and filming in its final phases. This substantial investment may explain Disney+’s reluctance to completely abandon the project, despite the controversy surrounding its lead actor. The streaming wars have created immense pressure on platforms to deliver exclusive content, potentially influencing decision-making in challenging ethical situations.
Public Outrage and Subscriber Backlash
The reappearance of “Knock-Off” promotional material has triggered an immediate and intense backlash across social media platforms, with many users expressing their disappointment and anger toward Disney+. The hashtag #CancelDisneyPlus began trending shortly after the news broke, with subscribers publicly announcing their intentions to terminate their memberships.
Comments across platforms reflect the depth of viewer dissatisfaction, with one X (formerly Twitter) user bluntly stating, “Cancelling my subscription yay!” Others criticized what they perceived as corporate prioritization of profit over ethical considerations, with another user commenting, “Disney the shameless money grab that they are. As expected they just want that sweet money of oblivious International subscribers.”
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about corporate responsibility in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding how streaming platforms respond to allegations involving their talent. Many users have suggested that if Disney+ is determined to release the series, they should consider recasting the lead role and reshooting necessary scenes—a costly but potentially reputation-saving measure.
Some industry analysts suggest that Disney+ may be deliberately “testing the waters” with this limited promotional release to gauge public reaction before making final decisions about the project’s future. This strategy, if intentional, appears to have backfired based on the overwhelmingly negative response from viewers who perceive it as tone-deaf and insensitive given the serious nature of the allegations.
The situation highlights the growing power of consumer voices in the streaming era, where subscription cancellations represent both an economic and reputational threat to platforms. Unlike traditional television or theatrical releases, streaming services depend on monthly subscriber retention, making them potentially more vulnerable to consumer activism and boycotts.
The Allegations and Legal Response
At the center of this controversy are serious allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun’s past. The claims, initially published by YouTube channel Garosero Institute (Hoverlab), suggested that the actor, now 37, was previously involved with the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. These allegations emerged amid Kim Soo-hyun’s rising popularity following his acclaimed performance in the hit series “Queen of Tears.”
Kim Soo-hyun has categorically denied these allegations and taken decisive legal action in response. He filed a defamation lawsuit against those associated with Hoverlab, seeking approximately 12 billion KRW (about $8.6 million) in damages. His legal team has emphasized that the claims are baseless and harmful to his reputation and career.
The controversy has created a complex situation for Disney+ and other companies associated with the actor. When the allegations first surfaced in April 2025, Disney+ initially considered continuing production while monitoring the situation. However, after internal discussions and likely consideration of potential public reaction, the company announced an indefinite production halt on April 23, informing cast and crew that all filming activities would be suspended.
What makes this case particularly challenging is that it involves serious allegations that have not been legally proven, yet have significant implications for all parties involved. The presumption of innocence must be balanced against the seriousness of the claims and public sensitivity surrounding such issues. This delicate balance presents a difficult ethical dilemma for Disney+ as it determines how to proceed with a nearly completed series representing a substantial financial investment.
Despite the controversy, Kim Soo-hyun’s popularity appears to have shown resilience among certain fan segments. In a recent fan-conducted actor popularity vote called Star Power Ranking, he secured third position with 11,546 votes between April 24 and May 1—a significant increase from his previous seventh-place ranking with only 540 votes. This suggests that while the allegations have certainly impacted his public image, he maintains a dedicated fan base that either disbelieves the claims or separates his professional work from the controversy.
Timeline of the “Knock-Off” Controversy
| Date | Event | Public/Industry Response |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2025 | “Knock-Off” announced as key title in Disney+ Korea’s 2025 slate | Positive anticipation, especially from Kim Soo-hyun fans |
| April 2025 | Allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun published by Garosero Institute | Immediate social media reaction and industry concern |
| April 2025 | Kim Soo-hyun files defamation lawsuit seeking 12 billion KRW | Mixed reactions, with fans supporting his legal response |
| April 23, 2025 | Disney+ officially halts “Knock-Off” production | Industry approval for cautious approach |
| April 24-May 1, 2025 | Kim Soo-hyun ranks third in Star Power Ranking poll | Indicates continued fan support despite controversy |
| May 2, 2025 | “Knock-Off” promotional material appears on IMDb | Immediate backlash against Disney+ |
| May 4, 2025 | #CancelDisneyPlus trends on social media | Subscription cancellation threats intensify |
Public Reaction to Disney+’s Handling of “Knock-Off”
| Perspective | Main Criticism | Suggested Alternative | Representative Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical Concerns | Prioritizing profit over moral responsibility | Complete cancellation of the series | “Disney picks profit over morals. Not because they think KSH is an upright person” |
| Production Solutions | Continuing with the controversial casting | Recast lead role and reshoot | “If Disney wants this drama on the air so badly, they should change the actor and reshoot” |
| Corporate Strategy | Testing public reaction before decisions | Clear communication about project status | “They are testing the water” |
| Consumer Action | Lack of accountability | Subscription cancellations | “Cancelling my subscription yay!” |
| Industry Perspective | Substantial investment in nearly-complete series | Delayed release pending legal resolution | “I’m not surprised though” |
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FAQs
A1: The allegations against Kim Soo-hyun were initially published by the YouTube channel Garosero Institute (Hoverlab) in April 2025. They claim that the 37-year-old actor was previously involved in a romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. These serious allegations have not been proven in court, and Kim Soo-hyun has categorically denied them. In response, he has taken legal action by filing a defamation lawsuit against those associated with Hoverlab, seeking approximately 12 billion KRW (about $8.6 million) in damages.
A2: Disney+ faces several challenging options regarding the future of “Knock-Off,” each with significant implications. First, they could proceed with releasing the series as originally produced, which would capitalize on their substantial investment (the 18-episode series was reportedly near completion) but risks severe backlash and subscription cancellations.
Second, they could permanently shelve the project, avoiding controversy but writing off a major financial investment. Third, they could recast Kim Soo-hyun’s role and reshoot his scenes, which would be extremely costly but might salvage the project while demonstrating ethical commitment.
