Police Conclude Kim Soo-hyun-Late Kim Sae-ron Dating Rumors Were False...Will "Knock-Off" Finally Be Released?

Police have concluded that the allegations claiming actor Kim Soo-hyun dated the late Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor were false. Attention is now turning to whether his highly anticipated drama "Knock-Off" will finally be released.

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According to JoongAng Ilbo on the 21st, the arrest warrant request filed by Seoul Gangnam Police stated that Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, spread false information about Kim Soo-hyun for financial gain and profit generation purposes.

Police reportedly specified in the warrant request that the suspect knowingly distributed false information with the intent to defame Kim Soo-hyun, despite being aware that there had been no romantic relationship between the actor and the deceased actress during her minor years.

Reports also stated that KakaoTalk messages released by Kim Se-ui in March last year as alleged evidence of the relationship, were found to have been manipulated. Kim Se-ui allegedly changed the conversation partner's name to Kim Soo-hyun and edited or fabricated seven parts of the messages provided by the bereaved family. In addition, police determined that an audio file of the late actress released by Kim Se-ui's side in May last year had been AI-generated and manipulated.

Not only Kim Se-ui, but also the attorney representing the bereaved family was reportedly booked by investigators. Police stated that they 'provided criminal materials to Kim Se-ui, spread false information, and systematically and deliberately expanded and reproduced the allegations'.

As a result, many believe that much of the controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has now been resolved, leading to renewed interest in the fate of "Knock-Off", which had been expected to mark his comeback. The drama had been mentioned as one of the most anticipated projects since 2024, but it was notably absent from Disney+'s "Original Preview 2025". At the time, a representative cautiously commented that 'no release schedule has been decided yet'.

"Knock-Off" tells the story of a man whose life is completely overturned by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and who rises to become the king of the global counterfeit goods market. The series reportedly cost 60 billion won (around $43 million USD) to produce, but its release was indefinitely postponed after Kim Soo-hyun became embroiled in personal controversies.

In response, Disney+ Korea told TV Daily, "Our previous position remains unchanged. Nothing has changed", maintaining a cautious stance.

Meanwhile, reports recently surfaced that Kim Soo-hyun had been spotted in Seongsu-dong. YouTuber Lee Jin-ho commented, "He looked noticeably thinner and exhausted", adding that "due to the structure of his lifestyle and business obligations, he is reportedly spending tens of millions of won every month just to maintain things".

Industry attention is now focused on whether Kim Soo-hyun will be able to use the latest investigation results as a turning point for his return through "Knock-Off".