“Was It All a False Accusation?” — Public Sentiment Shifts Toward Kim Soo Hyun Amid ‘Knock-Off’ Release Delays
Nearly three months after the controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron erupted in March, public opinion has noticeably shifted in Kim’s favor.
Although the initial allegations were shocking, the lack of concrete evidence and growing doubts about the credibility of the accuser have led to speculation that Kim may have been falsely accused. Online, comments such as “Kim Soo Hyun cleared?”, “Was it all a setup?”, and “Will ‘Knock-Off’ finally air?” have been circulating, signaling a growing interest in his potential return.
The controversy began when the family of Kim Sae Ron and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute (Gaseyeon) claimed that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron since 2016, when she was 15, and for six years after. However, recent reports suggest that Kim Soo Hyun was actually in a three-year relationship with another actress, referred to as “A,” from 2016 to 2019. A was a fellow agency labelmate, and it’s been confirmed that Kim frequently wrote to her during his military service — making the alleged timeline with Kim Sae Ron impossible.
Reports also surfaced that Kim Sae Ron had dated multiple individuals as a minor, including rumored links to singer WOODZ and a former national athlete. Notably, a photo presented as evidence of her underage relationship was proven to have been taken with an iPhone 11 — a model released after she turned 19 — further undermining the claims.
Adding to the controversy, Gaseyeon’s claim that the whistleblower was stabbed nine times in the neck in New Jersey unraveled. The individual later changed the story to an arm injury, and the medical certificate only mentioned wounds to the right shoulder and left hand. The New York Consulate also confirmed they had received no official report, casting further doubt on the narrative.
These developments have caused public sentiment to turn strongly in Kim Soo Hyun’s favor, with online comments like, “You can’t ruin someone based on claims without proof,” and “None of Gaseyeon’s statements have held up.” Many now believe Kim was unjustly accused.
Despite the shift in public opinion, Kim Soo Hyun’s Disney+ series 'Knock-Off' remains on hold. The high-budget series, with a reported 60 billion KRW (~$44 million USD) production cost and a nearly completed second season, has yet to be scheduled for release. At Disney+ Korea’s recent 2025 content lineup reveal, 'Knock-Off' was notably absent.
Choi Yeon Woo, Head of Local Content at Disney Korea, stated, “Since our decision to delay the release, there have been no new updates. We are still reviewing matters internally.” This indicates the platform may wait for legal clarity before making a release decision, suggesting a 2025 premiere at the earliest.
Meanwhile, 'My Love from the Star', one of Kim’s most iconic dramas, has started airing on Brazil’s SBT network and is set for rebroadcast in Taiwan, signaling that his international popularity remains strong. SBT noted an “explosive rise” in demand for Korean content and launched a new “Asian Production Line” slot, with Kim’s drama leading the launch.
Actress Jo Bo Ah, Kim’s co-star in Knock-Off, recently expressed cautious hope, stating, “We all worked so hard and poured our hearts into the project. I hope one day the effort will be recognized and met with a good result.” She reportedly postponed her honeymoon to film the drama and now finds herself unintentionally entangled in the scandal’s aftermath.
Online, fans are voicing hope for the show’s release: “If he’s innocent, he should return,” “Filming is nearly done — they’ll probably release it once things are cleared,” and “Season 2 looks great; I’m still excited.”
Kim Soo Hyun is currently suing Gaseyeon’s operators and Kim Sae Ron’s family for defamation, violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, and stalking, seeking damages of 12 billion KRW (~$8.7 million USD).
While public support is growing, the final outcome will ultimately depend on the legal process. Industry insiders believe Knock-Off’s release decision will follow once a court ruling is made.
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