Stars fall, productions stall: Korea’s hit shows face uncertain futures after 2025 scandals

South Korea’s television industry ended 2025 with an unwelcome twist — the year delivered some of its biggest global hits, yet several high-profile projects were halted or shelved after celebrity scandals erupted around their lead stars. From streaming blockbusters to major network entertainment shows, productions that had already finished filming are now stuck in limbo, leaving viewers, crews and co-stars frustrated. The controversies reflect what industry insiders call the growing risk of “star-dependent productions,” where a single casting choice can determine a show’s fate, even after millions have already been spent. Kim Soo-hyun scandal derails Disney+ series ‘Knock-off’ Actor Kim Soo-hyun is at the center of the most shocking scandal of the year. The Hallyu star was engulfed in controversy in March after the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron alleged that he had dated her when she was a minor and that she later faced financial hardship after his agency demanded 700 million won ($520,000) in penalty fees related to her drunk-driving scandal. Kim Soo-hyun’s agencWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times