Disney+ Delays 'Nok Off' and Prepares for 'Made in Korea' Launch

The release of Kim Soo-hyun's 'Nok Off' has been indefinitely postponed, while the premiere of Jung Woo-sung's 'Made in Korea' is on the horizon. Will Disney+ overcome its controversies to achieve global success?

On the morning of May 23, 2025, an 'Open House' event for Disney+ was held on the 7th floor of the Gangnam Finance Center in Seoul. Attendees included Choi Yeon-woo, head of local content at The Walt Disney Company Korea, Kim Won-guk, producer of the new original series 'Made in Korea', and Yoo Jeong-hoon, producer of 'Killer's Shopping Mall'.

In 2025, Disney+ aims to captivate global subscribers with a robust lineup. The year kicked off with 'Trigger', starring Kim Hye-soo, followed by medical thriller 'Hyperknife' featuring Seol Kyung-gu and Park Eun-bin, and the new series 'Nine Puzzle' with Kim Da-mi and Son Seok-koo. Upcoming titles for the second half of the year include 'Fine: Country Bumpkins' with Ryu Seung-ryong, Yang Se-jong, and Lim Soo-jung, 'Polaris' starring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won, 'Tangled' with Rowoon and Shin Ye-eun, and 'Fragment City' featuring Ji Chang-wook and Do Kyung-soo. Additionally, 'Hypnotized' with Suzy and Kim Sun-ho has recently been confirmed for release on Disney+.

Kim Won-guk expressed confidence in the production of 'Made in Korea', which stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung with a budget of 700 billion won. He stated, "Our company, Hive Media Corp, started with films, but we ventured into series with 'The Good Man' on Disney, and 'Made in Korea' is our first original series produced with Disney. We believe that by focusing on creating content that can succeed in Korea, we can also find a place in the global market."

He added, "We aim to create content that can be expanded into series or spin-offs, allowing for a broader universe. Our production company has worked on films like 'The Spring of Seoul' and 'The Man Standing Next', which share a similar universe."

Kim Won-guk also highlighted the strong support from Disney, stating, "While I usually refrain from promoting my works, I made an exception for 'The Spring of Seoul'. With 'Made in Korea', we have poured all our production capabilities into it, and I believe it will be a powerful drama that will change the landscape of K-dramas."

The event also addressed the controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun's 'Nok Off', which was initially set to premiere in April 2025. Due to personal issues involving the lead actor, filming was halted, and the release has been postponed indefinitely. Disney+ officially stated, "After careful consideration, we have decided to suspend the release plans for 'Nok Off'." The production budget for 'Nok Off' is estimated at 600 billion won, and speculation about potential penalties for Kim Soo-hyun ranges from 180 billion won to 1.8 trillion won, although insiders suggest the actual amount may differ from public estimates.

Choi Yeon-woo commented on the situation, saying, "The decision to suspend was made after careful consideration by Disney. This remains our official stance, and I cannot provide further details at this time." Another representative added that there have been no updates since the official statement.

When asked about the rumors surrounding Jung Woo-sung, Choi Yeon-woo maintained, "That falls into the realm of the actor's personal life, and we cannot comment on it."

Disney+ and Netflix are often seen as leading competitors in the OTT space, but Disney+'s performance has not yet matched Netflix's global success. Choi Yeon-woo emphasized Disney+'s unique strengths, stating, "Disney has a distinct identity. As we enter our fourth year, we are working to maintain our tone and manner while collaborating on quality projects. I believe our 100-year content base, which includes both global and local offerings, provides a unique experience for consumers. We are actively discussing and working on these experiences with creators."