Kim Soo-hyun Cleared in Public Court? Knock Off Revival Gains Steam After Major Twist

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Kim Soo Hyun
Disney Plus

Public opinion appears to be shifting in favor of actor Kim Soo-hyun following months of controversy over allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron, sparking renewed interest in the unreleased Disney+ series Knock Off.

Kim Soo Hyun
WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA

The allegations, which claimed Kim maintained a six-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron beginning when she was 15, drew heavy backlash earlier this year.

The claims originated from Kim Sae-ron's family and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute.

However, the credibility of the whistleblower and supporting evidence has since come under scrutiny.

"No concrete evidence has emerged," one user on Korean forum DC Inside wrote. "If he did nothing wrong, he should return."

Doubts have grown around the timeline presented by Kim Sae-ron's family, especially after reports surfaced that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with an idol-turned-actress, referred to as "A," during the same period.

Multiple letters reportedly exchanged during Kim's military service supported that claim.

Further damaging to the original allegations was the discrediting of a photo said to prove an underage relationship.

The image was found to have been taken with an iPhone 11, a device released after Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood.

Another widely circulated element of the case — an alleged assault involving a whistleblower in New Jersey — was questioned after inconsistencies in medical records and a denial from the Korean consulate in New York.

The revelation of these details has led to growing online support for Kim.

Hashtags such as "#KimSooHyunCleared" and "#IsKnockOffFinallyAiring" have trended across Korean social media platforms.

One netizen commented, "They nearly finished filming — once a verdict is out, it'll probably get released."

Despite the increasing support, Knock Off, the Disney+ original series starring Kim and actress Jo Bo-ah, remains shelved.

The series was absent from Walt Disney Company Korea's 2025 content lineup announcement.

"There are no updates beyond our previously announced decision to postpone the release pending internal review," Choi Yeon-woo, head of local content at Walt Disney Company Korea, said in a statement.

Jo Bo-ah, who postponed her honeymoon to film the series, also expressed continued hope for its future. "We all put a lot of heart into the project. I believe the effort will eventually be recognized," she said.

Internationally, Kim's reputation appears to be recovering. His 2013 hit series My Love from the Star was recently broadcast in Brazil and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, he has filed lawsuits against Garo Sero Institute and Kim Sae-ron's family, citing defamation, violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, stalking, and seeking ₩12 billion (approximately USD 8.8 million) in damages.

The final verdict remains pending, but public sentiment has clearly shifted. "Season 2 sounds promising," another online commenter wrote.

As legal proceedings continue, the fate of Knock Off — and Kim Soo-hyun's public image — may soon be decided not just by court rulings, but by growing public support.

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