Why Anticipation for Kim Soo-hyun’s “Knock Off” Is Surging: “Was It All a False Accusation?”
“Was it all a false accusation?” That’s the question dominating Korean online communities three months after a shocking scandal erupted around actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Public Opinion Shifts Toward Kim Soo-hyun
Initially, the allegations claiming a six-year relationship starting when Kim Sae-ron was 15 caused an uproar. But as time passed without concrete evidence and doubts about the whistleblower’s credibility grew, speculation about false accusations gained traction. Now, hashtags like “Kim Soo-hyun cleared?” and “Is Knock Off finally airing?” are trending, reflecting growing support for his return.
The controversy began with claims from Kim Sae-ron’s family and YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, stating Kim Soo-hyun dated the underage actress from 2016 to 2022. However, recent reports suggest Kim was in a three-year relationship with an idol-turned-actress, “A,” during that period, supported by accounts of frequent letters sent during his military service.
Additionally, it emerged that Kim Sae-ron allegedly had relationships with other men, reportedly including singer WOODZ and a former national athlete. These revelations cast further doubt on the timeline presented by her family.
One particularly damning piece of supposed evidence, a photo allegedly proving the underage relationship, was discredited after it was shown to have been taken with an iPhone 11, released after Kim Sae-ron became an adult.
Legal Action, Fan Support, and the Uncertain Future of “Knock Off”
Further damaging to the original claims was the unraveling of a supposed assault informant in New Jersey. While Garo Sero initially claimed the whistleblower was stabbed in the neck nine times, inconsistencies in medical records and a denial from the Korean consulate in New York exposed the incident as likely fabricated.
Public sentiment has since shifted in Kim Soo-hyun’s favor. Netizens criticize the absence of hard evidence and question Garo Sero’s reliability, noting its track record of controversial, unverified claims.
Despite the controversy, Kim Soo-hyun’s Disney+ series “Knock Off” remains unreleased. In their 2025 content lineup announcement, “Knock Off” was noticeably absent. Choi Yeon-woo, head of local content at Walt Disney Company Korea, stated, “There are no updates beyond our previously announced decision to postpone the release pending internal review.”
Continued Interest Towards Kim Soo-hyun
Globally, Kim’s reputation appears to be recovering. His hit series “My Love from the Star” recently aired on Brazil’s largest private network, SBT and is being rebroadcast in Taiwan.
Co-star Jo Bo-ah, who even postponed her honeymoon to film “Knock Off,” recently expressed hope: “We all put a lot of heart into the project. I believe the effort will eventually be recognized.”
Online, anticipation is growing again. Comments like:
“If he did nothing wrong, he should return.”
“They nearly finished filming once a verdict is out, it’ll probably get released.”
“Season 2 sounds promising.”
They reflect continued interest.
Currently, Kim Soo-hyun is suing Garo Sero and Kim Sae-ron’s family for defamation, violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, and stalking, along with a ₩12 billion KRW (~$8.8 million USD) damages claim. While public opinion has clearly tilted in his favor, the final judgment will come from the court, likely determining the fate of Knock Off as well.