Jo Bo Ah has cautiously addressed the delayed release of the Disney+ series "Knock Off," in which she stars alongside Kim Soo Hyun, amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the actor.
In an interview conducted on May 19, 2025, at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jo Bo Ah sat down to discuss her upcoming Netflix series, "Dear Hongrang." However, the conversation inevitably shifted to "Knock Off," which was initially slated to be her post-marriage acting comeback. The Disney+ K-Drama's release has been indefinitely postponed due to the controversy involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron, leaving fans uncertain about when, or if, it will ever air.
When asked about the delay, Jo Bo Ah responded with evident caution. Acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation, she stated, "I'm being very careful. What I say might hurt someone, so I'd like to hold back a bit." Her words reflected an awareness of the potential impact of her comments, given the delicate circumstances surrounding the situation.
Despite her reluctance to delve into specifics, Jo Bo Ah expressed hope for the project. "Knock-Off is a project we all worked hard on," she affirmed. "Everyone was enthusiastic, and it's filled with love and effort. I hope that someday, people will recognize that work and that it will have a good outcome." Her statement underscored the dedication and passion invested by the entire team, conveying her desire for their efforts to eventually be acknowledged.
The indefinite postponement of "Knock Off" has not only affected Jo Bo Ah's career trajectory but also impacted her personal life. She revealed that she had to forgo her honeymoon due to the drama's filming schedule. When asked about honeymoon plans, she kept her response to the minimum and said that she hadn't made any plans yet.
"Knock Off" had garnered significant attention due to its massive scale, boasting a reported production budget of ₩60.0 billion KRW (approximately $42.0 million USD). Kim Soo Hyun's fee alone was said to have reached a staggering ₩9.00 billion KRW (about $6.29 million USD).
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding "Knock Off," Jo Bo Ah's immediate focus is on her new K-Drama, "Dear Hongrang," which premiered on Netflix. The series is a mystery melodrama set in the Joseon era. The story follows Hong Rang, the long-lost son of the nation's most powerful merchant family, who returns after 12 years with no memory. Only his half-sister, Jae Yi, suspects he may not be who he claims to be—yet strange, indescribable emotions begin to grow between them.
Reflecting on her experience filming "Dear Hongrang," Jo Bo Ah shared, "We filmed for about eight months, and it wrapped around May last year. Now that it's finally being released, it feels special. I was single when we filmed, and now I'm married, so it feels different. They say marriage is the start of a new chapter in life—maybe that's why, watching it now, it feels like a younger Jo Bo Ah is on screen. A lot has happened since then."
Jo Bo Ah debuted in 2012 with tvN's 'Shut Up Flower Boy Band,' and is celebrating her 13th year in the industry this year.
