According to a report by The Fair on February 28, Disney+ is currently adjusting its programming schedule with the goal of releasing its original series Knock-Off in the first half of 2026. The project had previously been placed on indefinite hold.
Knock-Off is a large-scale production depicting the story of a man who rises to become the king of the counterfeit goods market during the IMF financial crisis. With a reported production budget of approximately 60 billion won (around $45 million), the series was one of the platform’s most ambitious Korean originals. However, production was suspended in March last year following controversy surrounding the lead actor’s personal life, and the project’s release was effectively put on hold without a set date.
Industry sources now suggest that Disney+ has begun re-evaluating the series as part of its broader 2026 content lineup restructuring. Analysts point to Kim Soo Hyun’s still-powerful global fanbase and the substantial financial loss that would result from shelving such a high-budget production as key factors influencing the reconsideration.
Attention is also turning to an upcoming corporate IR (investor relations) briefing scheduled for early March, where updates on the remaining filming schedule and streaming strategy for Knock-Off may be discussed. The possibility of the project’s revival has already triggered movement in related entertainment stocks, further fueling speculation.
Some industry insiders interpret the move as a strategic decision by Disney+ to confront potential risks head-on rather than absorb a massive loss. One source noted that the atmosphere surrounding Kim Soo Hyun’s return appears to be “gradually thawing,” adding that whether Knock-Off is officially mentioned at the platform’s early March lineup showcase could become one of the entertainment industry’s biggest talking points in the first half of the year.
As a result, the fate of Knock-Off is now closely tied to Kim Soo Hyun’s potential full-scale comeback, with both fans and industry observers watching carefully to see whether the high-profile project will ultimately mark the actor’s return after a year of uncertainty.
Sources: Daum
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