It has been exactly one year since Disney Plus stunned fans by announcing an indefinite delay of Kim Soo Hyun’s highly anticipated series Knock-Off. Now, signs suggest the big-budget project may finally be moving again.
According to industry and financial sources on February 28th, Disney Plus is currently reorganizing its major content roster for the first half of 2026 and is said to be adjusting the release timing for Knock-Off. The series, produced with a reported budget of 60 billion KRW ($41 million), was shelved last year amid controversy surrounding the actor’s personal life.
At the time, the platform took the unusual step of halting production and postponing the release indefinitely. But insiders now say the conversation has shifted. Kim Soo Hyun’s global fanbase remains strong, and the financial burden of scrapping such a large-scale project has reportedly weighed heavily.
Knock-Off tells the story of a man who rises to become the king of the counterfeit market during the IMF financial crisis era, and the series is known for its ambitious period detail and sweeping scale.
With entertainment companies set to hold investor relations briefings in early March, there is growing speculation that updates on the drama’s remaining filming schedule and streaming strategy could be shared publicly. The possibility alone has reportedly contributed to renewed optimism in related entertainment stocks.
An industry insider described the mood as shifting, saying, “Just like the weather getting warmer, there is a sense that things are thawing for Kim Soo Hyun’s return. Whether ‘Knock-Off’ appears again in the official lineup showcase in early March will be one of the biggest entertainment talking points of the first half of the year.”
For now, fans are watching closely to see if the once-frozen project will officially step back into the spotlight in 2026.
UPDATE:
Disney Korea has denied reports that Kim Soo Hyun’s Knock-Off will be released this year. On March 3, they told Xports News, “The series is not scheduled for release this year, and there are no new updates.”
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In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
