Cho Bo-ah on Delayed Drama ‘Knock-Off’: “It Could Hurt Someone… I’d Rather Stay Quiet”

Actress Cho Bo-ah, star of Netflix’s latest Korean drama Dear Hongrang (also known as Tangeum), responded cautiously when asked about Knock-Off, the drama whose release was delayed due to the controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun.

During an interview with News1 on the morning of May 19 at a café in Jongno, Seoul, Cho commented: “It’s a project we all worked hard on, and there’s a lot of affection tied to it. But my words could unintentionally hurt someone, so I’d rather stay quiet for now. I hope our efforts will be acknowledged someday.”

About ‘Dear Hongrang’ and Her Role

Dear Hongrang is a mystery romance sageuk set in the Joseon era. It follows Hongrang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the long-lost son of the largest merchant family in Joseon, who returns 12 years later with no memory of who he was. Only his half-sister Jae-yi (Cho Bo-ah) suspects something is off. The series explores forbidden emotions that bloom between them.

Cho plays Jae-yi, a role that departs from her usual bright and bubbly characters. She said: “I wanted to take on a calmer, more grounded character. I’ve done a lot of cheerful roles, so this time I was looking for something more serious and mature. Playing opposites is part of the appeal of acting.”

On Her First OTT Experience

Dear Hongrang is Cho Bo-ah’s first series on a global OTT platform like Netflix. She shared: “The scale of production felt different. I felt like I had support in every aspect—from camera work to how we moved on set. Filming felt smoother and more comfortable. The visuals turned out stunning, and I do hope it stays at No.1 as long as possible!”

On Her Career and Variety Appearances

Asked about her past appearances in variety shows, she said: “I wanted to show who I am as a person. I don’t communicate with fans as much as I’d like, so variety shows were one way to do that. I’ve always liked physical activity and adventure, so I gravitated toward that type of show. I’m not great at fashion or beauty content like others, so I leaned into what suited me.”

On the Delayed Release of ‘Knock-Off’

Originally scheduled to be released before Dear Hongrang, Knock-Off was postponed due to the controversy surrounding its lead, Kim Soo-hyun. Cho Bo-ah commented carefully: “We all gave our best on that project. I just want the effort to be recognized someday. But it’s a delicate situation, and I don’t want my words to hurt anyone.”

On Her Personal Life and Reflections

Although she missed her honeymoon due to Knock-Off’s filming schedule, she said: “I haven’t planned one yet.”

Reflecting on her 13–14-year career, Cho added: “Fans have made dolls of all the characters I’ve played—there are 19 of them. It made me feel proud. I think I’ve come this far without losing my passion, and I want to praise myself for that. There were hard times, but I tried to keep going.”

On Her Acting Philosophy

“My principle is: ‘Don’t be greedy.’ In my 20s, I was full of ambition and constantly pushing myself. But now in my 30s, I’ve learned to step back, take things slower, and enjoy the process.”

What Dear Hongrang Meant to Her

“Jae-yi in Dear Hongrang feels like a turning point for me. I loved this character deeply. Even when I was physically tired, I never felt drained emotionally. The moment I got into costume and became Jae-yi, I felt like I could fly. She’s a delicate character with unwavering inner strength. Playing her reminded me why I love acting.”

Dear Hongrang is a mystery romance drama set in the Joseon era, centered around Hongrang (Lee Jae-wook), the long-lost heir of the most powerful merchant family, who returns home after 12 years with no memory of his past. His half-sister Jae-yi (Cho Bo-ah) is the only one who senses something is off—and as secrets unravel, forbidden emotions begin to surface. The series also stars Jung Ga-ram, Kim Jae-wook, Uhm Ji-won, and Park Byung-eun, delivering a rich blend of suspense, historical intrigue, and emotional depth.

‘Dear Hongrang’ is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!