In a shocking twist for fans, filming of the highly anticipated Disney+ series ‘Knock Off’ starring Kim Soo Hyun has come to a grinding halt due to ongoing controversies surrounding its leading man.

On April 23rd KST, reports emerged that the production team has officially informed cast and crew of the indefinite suspension of filming. This pause follows Disney+’s prior announcement about delaying the series’ release, emphasizing the need for ‘careful deliberation’ in light of the escalating scandal.

The controversy centers around serious allegations against Kim Soo Hyun, including claims that he dated the late actress Kim Sae Ron during her teenage years. Furthermore, he has been accused of pressuring her to pay back debts linked to her DUI incident, allegedly using his family's agency resources to exert pressure. Although Kim Soo Hyun has vehemently denied these allegations and even held an emotional press conference to state his case, the public's scrutiny and outrage show no signs of easing.

Originally, ‘Knock Off’ was nearing the finish line with its 18-episode script nearly complete, and there were hopes that production could swiftly continue despite the surrounding chaos. However, plans changed dramatically as the production team opted to suspend all activities, officially notifying the cast and crew that filming would not resume in the foreseeable future.

Some actors and crew members, previously on standby for impending shoots, have begun to seek other opportunities in light of the unpredictable filming schedule.

Despite this sudden halt, industry insiders believe that ‘Knock Off’ is unlikely to be shelved altogether. The show's future is closely tied to the resolution of Kim Soo Hyun’s ongoing legal battles, including a significant lawsuit worth 12 billion KRW (around $8.4 million USD) filed against individuals connected to the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, which has been a prominent source of these damaging allegations.

As the legal saga continues, the fate of ‘Knock Off’ hangs in the balance, leaving fans anxious and eagerly awaiting a breakthrough in one of K-drama’s most buzzed-about productions.