Summary
Kim Soo-hyun has just announced his next K-drama following the success ofQueen of Tears, and it could not be more perfect. Though it initially started with modest ratings,Queen of Tearsquickly found domestic and international success, breakingCrash Landing on You’s record as TVN’s most-watched drama of all time and easily becoming one of thebest K-dramas of 2024.Kim Soo-hyun’s role as the lawyer Baek Hyun-woo played a large part in the show’s overwhelming success, which has earned him a lot of praise for his earnest portrayal.
Throughout his career, Kim Soo-hyun’s charm and command on-screen helped him to rise to notoriety as the highest-paid actor in South Korea. K-dramas such asDream High,It’s Okay To Not Be Okay,andMy Love From The Starshowed Kim Soo-hyun’s incredible acting talents as well as his exceptional chemistry with his co-stars.Queen of Tearscontinued an upward trend in his career, topping the charts as one ofKim Soo-hyun’s best K-dramas. ThoughQueen of Tearsmay be a tough show to follow, the actor’s next project looks to be a great next pick.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Queen Of Tears Success Is A Reminder To Watch His Other Critically Acclaimed K-Drama
Queen of Tears marked Kim Soo-hyun’s return to the small screen in a leading role and is a reminder to check his other critically acclaimed K-drama.
Kim Soo-hyun Will Star In The Black Comedy Knock Off
He Will Play Kim Seong-jun
Kim Soo-hyun has officially signed on to play the male lead ofKnock Off,Kim Seong-jun. The comedy K-drama will see Kim Soo-hyun’s character turn to a life of counterfeiting goods after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis sees him lose his job. As a result, Seong-jun rises to become one of the most notable counterfeiters in South Korea in the early 2000s.Knock Offis reported to take place during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and will be Kim Soo-hyun’s first return to ahistorical K-dramasince 2012’sMoon Embracing the Sun.
The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis saw South Korea’s economic growth come to a grinding halt. Starting in Thailand, a domino effect across many Asian countries saw currencies plummet to an all-time low and corporations quickly becoming indebted with foreign loans, with unemployment rates in South Korea tripling in this period. This led South Korea to turn to the International Monetary Fund for help, which came with strict financial policies that gravely affected the country (viaThe Korea Herald).
Knock Offcomes from director Park Hyun-suk and writer Han Jung-hoon, who are best known for their previous collaboration on the historical action seriesSong of the Bandits, which starred Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun, and Yoo Jae-myung. An official release date forKnock Offis currently unknown, but filming is scheduled to begin in August 2024. The series is reported to be available for international audiences on Disney+ and already has a confirmed second season.
Knock Off Already Has An Incredible Cast
They Have Starred In Some Of The Biggest K-dramas Of Recent Times
Knock Off’s cast features a spectacular array of actors who have all starred in some of thebest K-dramas of all time. Alongside Kim Soo-hyun,actress Jo Bo-ah is reported to star asKnock Off’s female lead. Jo has most recently starred in the romantic fantasy K-dramaDestined With You, which gained a lot of attention on Netflix in 2023. Also joining the main cast is former Hellovenus member Kwon Na-ra, who is best known for her roles inItaewon ClassandSuspicious Partner, and Kim Mu-yeol, who has most recently starred inSweet Homeas Kim Yeong-hu.
Character (as of July 2024)
Woo Do-hwan
Lee Min-suk
WhileKnock Off’s leading cast is already impressive, the supporting cast has equally accomplished resumes.Parasite’s Lee Jung-eun is reported to star as Seong-jun’s assistant, Park Ae-ja, andBloodhound’s Woo Do-hwan will play Lee Min-suk, Seong-jun’s high school classmate. Other notable names in the cast include Yoo Jae-myung (Itaewon Class), Kim Si-eun (Squid Gameseason 2), Jo Woo-jin (Kingmaker), and Choi Gyu-ri (Marry My Husband). Though not all details about their characters are known yet, their previous works make their additions toKnock Off’s stellar cast all the more exciting.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Homage To His Queen Of Tears Co-Star’s Funniest K-Drama Character Couldn’t Have Been More Perfect
Kim Soo-hyun shows a wide acting range in Queen of Tears, and he uses his comedic talents to pay homage to one of his co-star’s best roles.
Why Knock-Off Sounds Like A Great Follow-up To Queen of Tears
It Sounds Like The Exact Reverse of Queen of Tears
Even though not much has been released aboutKnock Offso far, several known details hint that it could be a great follow-up toQueen of Tears' overwhelming success.Knock Off’s black comedy background will Kim Soo-hyun the chance to build on some ofQueen of Tears' funniest momentsand delve more into the comedic talents that he has shown throughout his career. Plus,Knock Offis bound to show off some of Kim Soo-hyun’s magnetic chemistry with leading actress Jo Bo-ah, who will be Seong-jun’s romantic interest.
However, what makesKnock Offsound even better compared to Kim Soo-hyun’s most recent project is how his character will reverse that ofQueen of Tears' Baek Hyun-woo. The romantic K-drama saw Kim Soo-hyun play the husband of theQueen of Tearsherself, Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), whose cold-hearted approach to business made her a formidable foe. InKnock Off, Kim Seong-jun will experience his own rise to fame as a counterfeiting king who rises from the ashes of a crisis.
Knock Off’s alternative approach looks to be a great antidote toQueen of Tears' emotional rollercoaster.
Knock Offmay not come out this year, but what has been released so far makes it worth the wait.Knock Off’s alternative approach looks to be a great antidote toQueen of Tears' emotional rollercoaster. It will likely showcase another side of Kim Soo-hyun’s comedic talents, but it could also match some of the same emotional height as its predecessor thanks to its historical background. No matter the case,Knock Offis sure to be a refreshing new addition to Kim Soo-hyun’s stellar filmography.
