Jo Bo-ah Flaunts Bright Smile Despite Being a Major Victim of Kim Soo-hyun’s Controversies?
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Kim Soo-hyun’s Controversies
Recently, allegations of Kim Soo-hyun grooming and dating late actress Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor has been taking over the net, with other past controversies – ranging from questionable statements to misdeeds – of the actor resurfacing as consequence. Alleged photos of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron while still in a relationship were also released by Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, stirring discussion.
As a result, on the afternoon of March 11, Korean media outlets reported that the upcoming K-drama “Knock Off”, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah, is now struggling due to the scandals. On various forums, many viewers have declared a boycott of the series, while some netizens are demanding that lead actor Kim Soo-hyun withdraw from the project and compensate the producers.
It is known that more than half of the filming process has already been completed, and a journalist from Kyunghyang Shinmun commented that the “Knock Off” team is in a dilemma. If they choose to keep Kim Soo-hyun and continue filming and promoting, they may face boycotts and criticism.
On the other hand, if they remove Kim Soo-hyun and reshoot from the beginning, it will take more time and cost significantly more.
Jo Bo-ah – the Biggest Victim
Naturally, Jo Bo-ah is considered the most affected person as “Knock Off” struggles. If the film fails, she may suffer severe psychological damage, as she had high expectations and put a lot of effort into this project. Additionally, this is her first project following her marriage announcement in October, making it an important milestone in her career.
On the afternoon of the 21st, a Disney+ representative officially stated to OSEN, “After careful consideration, we have decided to put the release plans for ‘Knock-Off’ on hold.”
Currently, numerous brands that had featured Kim Soo-hyun as their model have terminated their contracts, and MBC’s variety show “Good Day” has announced a hiatus this week, editing out Kim Soo-hyun’s portions entirely for restructuring. The aftermath has been immense. In this situation, “Knock-Off,” which was initially planned for a first-half release, has now been indefinitely postponed.
Although Disney+ never officially announced “Knock-Off” as an April release, it was widely known that it was scheduled to premiere after “Hyper Knife.” Internally, discussions about the Season 1 release date and the press conference schedule were ongoing right up until the controversy surrounding the late Kim Sae-ron erupted.
With everything related to Knock-Off now put on hold, Kim Soo-hyun’s co-star Jo Bo-ah’s return has also been delayed.
Jo Bo-ah, who earned massive popularity after the success of “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” with Lee Dong-wook, is still in seek of a major work to cement her standing.
After the success of “Tale of the Nine-Tailed”, in 2023, Jo Bo Ah’s comeback in the project “Destined With You,” in collaboration with Rowoon, was a complete failure. In 2024, Jo Bo Ah temporarily paused her career to prepare for her wedding. She married her non-celebrity boyfriend in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends from both sides.
After getting married, Jo Bo Ah makes her return to the screen with an eagerly awaited collaboration with Kim Soo-hyun in “Knock Off.” This is a significant project for Jo Bo Ah, especially as she has the opportunity to work with a top star like Kim Soo-hyun, who is known for being a “rating guarantee.”
Meanwhile, “Knock Off” revolves around a man whose life is turned upside down by the IMF, going from an ordinary office worker to becoming the king of the global counterfeit market. With Season 1 set to be released this April, Season 2 is currently being filmed.
However, with the serious personal scandal that Kim Soo-hyun is currently facing, if the actor cannot turn the situation around, the project “Knock Off” is likely to be boycotted by the public. This would have a negative impact on Jo Bo Ah’s career. In that case, all her hopes will rest on “Dear Hongrang,” the film she is collaborating on with the handsome actor from “Alchemy of Souls,” Lee Jae-wook.
Jo Bo-ah’s Latest Update: Bright Smile Amid Struggles
On April 4, Jo Bo-ah posted new photos related to a brand she is currently modeling for. In the pictures, she is seen smiling brightly as she receives a gift from the brand and poses during a commercial shoot. This is the 1st SNS update of the actress after 4 months, showing a bright outlook despite her recent difficulties due to the indefinite postponement of “Knock-Off”.
