₩60 Billion K-Drama in Jeopardy? Kim Soo-hyun’s Scandal Puts Cast and Production at Risk

As actor Kim Soo-hyun faces allegations of dating the late Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, the entertainment industry is closely watching how this controversy will impact his ongoing and upcoming projects. Following the retail sector's review of its association with Kim, the broadcasting industry is now reportedly reconsidering his participation in major productions.

The controversy stems from a March 10 broadcast by YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute (Gaseyeon), where they cited Kim Sae-ron’s family, alleging that she and Kim Soo-hyun had a six-year relationship starting in 2015, when she was 15. Gaseyeon escalated the claims by revealing photos of Kim kissing her on the cheek, as well as letters and text messages exchanged between the two. While Kim’s agency, Gold Medalist, swiftly denied the allegations as “completely false” and announced legal action, the continued release of additional "evidence" has intensified public scrutiny.

Potential Fallout on TV Shows & Films

Kim Soo-hyun is currently appearing on MBC’s reality show Good Day with G-Dragon, which highlights his natural charm. However, since the controversy erupted, viewers have been flooding the show’s online forum with calls for his removal. While the production team has yet to make an official statement, they are expected to take audience sentiment into account. Some viewers argue that the show should be put on hold until the issue is resolved, while others maintain that "forcing him to step down before any official verdict is unfair."

More significantly, Disney+’s upcoming drama Knock-Off, starring Kim Soo-hyun, is now at risk. Scheduled for release next month, the high-budget drama is entering a critical promotional phase. Given Disney’s global reach, Kim’s reputation could directly impact the show’s performance. Some worry that co-stars Jo Bo-ah, Kwon Nara, and Yoo Jae-myung might also be affected by the growing controversy.

On March 13, Knock-Off’s production team reassured fans, stating, “Season 2 filming is proceeding as planned, with no changes at this time.” However, industry insiders speculate that if the scandal worsens, scheduling adjustments may become inevitable.

What’s at Stake? A ₩600 Billion Production

Knock-Off is a ₩60 billion ($45 million) blockbuster drama set during the 1997 IMF financial crisis, following a struggling office worker-turned-counterfeit mogul. It blends black comedy with social commentary, exploring survival in the face of economic collapse. Kim Soo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah, previously linked romantically, play opposing roles as a counterfeiter and a law enforcer, adding further intrigue.

The drama, written by 38 Task Force’s Han Jung-hoon and directed by Secret Forest 2’s Park Hyun-seok, has already wrapped up Season 1, with Season 2 currently in production. However, the uncertainty surrounding Kim’s public image poses a major risk to the series’ promotional strategy.

Kim Soo-hyun’s Career at a Crossroads

Kim Soo-hyun, who rose to pan-Asian stardom with My Love from the Star and The Producers, now faces the biggest crisis of his career. Gold Medalist has promised a comprehensive statement next week to clarify the situation, but public trust may be difficult to regain.

Beyond his acting career, Kim is also a high-profile brand ambassador for Homeplus, Tous les Jours, Eider, Shinhan Bank, Cuckoo, Prada, and Jo Malone London, among others. Given the breadth of his commercial influence, the potential fallout from this controversy could be substantial.

As both the broadcasting and advertising industries monitor developments, Kim Soo-hyun’s next steps and crisis management strategy will determine the extent of the damage to his career.