Actors Kim Soo-hyun, left, Cho Bo-ah, center, and director Park Hyeon-seok speak at a press conference for the Disney+ series "Knock Off" held during the 2024 Disney Content Showcase APAC held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
SINGAPORE — Marina Bay Sands transformed into the entertainment world's epicenter on Thursday, hosting the 2024 Disney Content Showcase APAC. The event brought together top actors from Korea and the Asia-Pacific region to unveil and preview their exciting new projects.
"Queen of Tears" star Kim Soo-hyun attended the showcase, alongside co-star Cho Bo-ah and director Park Hyeon-seok, introducing his new Disney+ series "Knock Off" during the "A Night of Stars" event.
Kim takes on the role of Kim Sung-jun, a man who once enjoyed a stable life working for a large corporation. However, his world is turned upside down when he loses his job during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Struggling to survive, he turns to selling counterfeit goods, eventually climbing the ranks to become a notorious counterfeit kingpin.
"The show is filled with an array of captivating characters, each with their own unique survival strategies. I wanted to showcase how my character overcomes adversity and undergoes personal growth," he said during a press conference at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Thursday.
Kim and co-star Cho shared that they were charmed by the script, drawn to the intriguing storyline and the specific historical context.
"I was fascinated by Kim Sung-jun's journey and felt that I could bring a unique perspective to this compelling story," he expressed his excitement about portraying the character's transformation.
Top actors from Korea and the Asia Pacific region pose with Mickey Mouse during the 2024 Disney Content Showcase APAC at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
Cho, who portrays Song Hye-jung, Kim's former lover and a government official cracking down on counterfeit goods, was also immediately drawn to the drama when she read the script.
"The story's setting in the 1990s and 2000s brought back a lot of nostalgia, making it a really enjoyable read," the actor said.
Describing a particularly memorable scene, Kim said, "I go from being a company employee to a businessman and then the world's counterfeit king. Among them, there's a scene where I sell goods in the market for the first time. I remember a scene where, although I was a bit clumsy but somehow manage to coax people into buying things."
He also gave fans a glimpse of his on-screen relationship with veteran actor Yoo Jae-myung, saying, "In the drama, we play father and son. You can expect some fun and heartwarming interactions between our characters."
Set against the backdrop of the post-Asian financial crisis, director Park emphasized the effort invested in authentically reenacting the era.
"We prepared many props and sets to accurately portray that time period," he explained. "Additionally, we focused on helping the actors convey the emotions and experiences of people who lived through the late 1990s and early 2000s in Korean society. Our goal was to create a drama that not only evokes nostalgia but also encourages viewers to reflect on the present."
The 18-episode series will be released in two parts: season 1 with nine episodes in the first half of 2025, and season 2 with another nine episodes in the second half.
Carol Choi, executive vice president of content strategy at Disney's Asia Pacific region, speaks during the second day of the 2024 Disney Content Showcase APAC at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
'Moving' returning for Season 2
Disney+ officially announced the renewal of its hit Korean original series, "Moving," for a second season. The news was revealed by Carol Choi, executive vice president of content strategy for Disney's Asia Pacific region, during her opening speech at the 2024 Disney Content Showcase APAC.
Based on Kang Full's webtoon, "Moving" is a sci-fi action series that follows a group of individuals with extraordinary abilities who must conceal their powers to protect their loved ones.
Describing the action-fantasy series, Choi noted that "Moving" is also "a coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and human relationships told in a new way." She credited the series for winning over 10 industry awards and becoming the top local original title globally on Disney+ last year.
"With such incredible success, I am extremely pleased to officially announce that we have begun development on 'Moving' Season 2," she said.
Among the top 15 best performing international original titles released on Disney+ last year, she said ninebof them were Korean titles. This year, the Korean action drama, "A Shop for Killers," has become the most-viewed series on Disney+ in the Asia-Pacific region. In the unscripted category, the travel reality show, "Are You Sure?!," starring BTS members Jimin and Jungkook, has emerged as the most-viewed unscripted title on Disney+ in Asia-Pacific.
"These results underpin the growing global resonance of APAC storytelling — how stories produced in this region are world-class and have become a staple of general entertainment consumption — with deep passionate fandoms worldwide," she added.