Kim Soo-hyun Returns to Ads, But Disney+ Drama 'KNOCK-OFF' Faces Delay

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has returned to work about a year after stepping back amid controversy over his private life. His return through a Philippines advertising campaign has put fresh attention on what he does next. An overseas ad deal may signal a return to activity, but releasing a high-budget drama is a separate question. The industry is watching his path back to on-screen work carefully.

The project drawing the most attention alongside Kim Soo-hyun's next move is the Disney+ original series "KNOCK-OFF." According to industry sources, Disney+ has little reason to rush the show to release.

Season 1 of "KNOCK-OFF" is already finished. Most of Season 2 has also been filmed, with only about one episode's worth of script left to shoot. Even if Season 2 is not fully wrapped, the structure allows Disney+ to release Season 1 first and complete the remaining shoot and post-production afterward.

An industry insider told TenAsia that "from Disney+'s perspective, Season 1 is already complete, so there is no need to finish Season 2 right now." The source added, "It's a project where releasing Season 1 first and preparing Season 2 afterward would not cause any scheduling problems."

Observers say the chances of "KNOCK-OFF" landing on the platform this year are low. Disney+'s Korean original lineup for the year is already full. With anticipated titles such as "The Remarried Empress," "Bewitched" and "Made in Korea 2" in the pipeline, there is little reason to push out a show still carrying the weight of controversy just to fill a gap.

Because the completed Season 1 is already in hand, Disney+ can set the release date at its own pace. That gives the platform room to balance the show against the rest of its slate and to see how public sentiment toward Kim Soo-hyun shifts over time.

Kim Soo-hyun's return through advertising does not mean "KNOCK-OFF" will follow right away. What is left is not production but placement. In the end, the release of "KNOCK-OFF" and its timing will be decided less by the shooting schedule than by public opinion around Kim Soo-hyun and Disney+'s programming strategy.