Will Kim Soo-hyun Really Owe Disney 180 Billion KRW? Industry Experts Say “Highly Unlikely”

Following the explosive scandal surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, rumors have circulated that Kim Soo-hyun could face a staggering 180 billion KRW in penalties from Disney+. However, industry insiders and legal experts argue this scenario is far from reality.

On March 31, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference alongside his legal representative to deny allegations that he had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. While the conference reiterated much of what had already been shared by his agency, a key moment came when his lawyer confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun had filed lawsuits both civil and criminal against Kim Sae-ron’s family and other parties involved, seeking damages of approximately 12 billion KRW.
Sending a Legal Signal to Stakeholders
By publicly taking legal action, Kim Soo-hyun sent a clear message to advertisers and to Disney+, the platform behind his upcoming drama Knock-Off. His stance was that he had not caused societal harm and thus should not be held responsible for breach of contract or penalties. Rather, he emphasized the need to wait for the court’s judgment regarding defamation and false accusations.

Knock-Off, scheduled for an April release, has been postponed due to the controversy. Industry practices suggest that Disney+ as the content platform typically withholds final payments until a drama airs. This places the real financial strain on the production company, Arc Media, which reportedly spent over 60 billion KRW on the project across two seasons.
Could Disney+ Really Sue Kim Soo-hyun?
Highly unlikely, say insiders. Major platforms like Disney+ don’t directly sue actors. Instead, contracts are structured so that platforms deal with production companies, who in turn contract with the actors. If Disney+ were to withhold payment, Arc Media would absorb the immediate financial burden and would have to consider separate litigation against the actor—an extremely rare and complex scenario.

Furthermore, exaggerated figures like “180 billion won” penalties are likely the result of speculation or misunderstanding. While some contracts in the past included up to three times the actor’s fee as penalty clauses, current industry norms have reduced that to double or even just a refund of the original amount. Leading actors often refuse to sign contracts with excessive penalty terms.
In response to inquiries, Arc Media confirmed that they had entered into a standard contract with Kim Soo-hyun, but declined to share specific details. Should litigation arise, it would most likely focus on the return of fees rather than astronomical speculative damages.
The Bigger Issue: Industry Responsibility
With several recent cases of dramas being delayed or shelved due to actors’ off-screen issues, calls have grown louder to reform the current system. Critics argue that small-to-mid-sized production companies unfairly bear the brunt of financial damage, while platforms ultimately control release decisions.

As Kim Soo-hyun commits to legally proving his innocence, the resolution of the case may take considerable time. In the meantime, Knock-Off remains in limbo, and the industry watches to see whether this controversy will spark long-overdue changes in how financial responsibility is distributed between actors, producers and platforms.