Disney+’s upcoming original K-drama “Knock Off” has completed casting, as reported by Slist Korea on September 2. Set against the backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis in South Korea, the dark comedy K-drama will shed light on the harsh realities of that era.
The 18 episodes will reportedly be split into two seasons. The series promises a captivating mix of drama and dark humor as it explores the counterfeit goods market, a sector that has thrived during the economic downturn. “Knock Off” promises to be a fascinating depiction of the lengths people are willing to go to survive in tough economic times, with an all-star cast bringing the dark comedy to life.
In “Knock Off,” Kim Soo-hyun will reportedly play the main character, Kim Seong-jun. Seong-jun is described as an ambitious young man with a promising future at a large company, until he suddenly loses his job due to the financial crisis.
To recover from his abrupt dismissal, Seong-jun enters the counterfeit goods business, initially to raise funds for a project proposed by his high school classmate Lee Min-seok. Eventually, Seong-jun manages to become a leader in the counterfeit goods industry, not only in Korea, but also worldwide.
Jo Bo-ah is reportedly playing Song Hye-jeong, Seong-jun’s ex-girlfriend and a special agent in the Judicial Police who is tasked with combating counterfeiting. Her character adds an extra dimension to the plot, as she finds herself hunting down her former lover, who is now involved in an illegal trade.
The supporting cast includes:
- Mansik Kim: Played by Yoo Jae-myung, Man-sik is Seong-jun’s father, who introduces him to the world of counterfeiting.
- Park Ae-ja: Lee Jeong-eun will play Seong-jun’s mother, a retired civil servant devoted to her family.
- Bae Nouri: Played by Bang Hyo-rin, she runs Saemul Market, the center of the counterfeiting empire.
- Jang Ji-soo: Played by Kim Hye-eun, she is the lawyer and market strategist.
- Pork Cutlet: Go Gyu-pil plays this character, Bae Nouri’s right-hand man and head of Saemul Market.
- Baek Jong-min: He leads the Anti-Counterfeiting Team, is a prosecutor at the Central District Prosecutors Office, and is played by Kim Moo-yeol.
- Jegal Hyun-suk: She is an investigator and is played by Kang Mal-geum.
- Lee Ki-bong: A detective played by Jeong Man-shik.
- Bae Pil-gu: Portrayed by Kim Eui-seong, he is Bae Nouri’s uncle and the supervisor of the counterfeit market in Busan.
- Moon Yu-bin: Kwon Nara plays this character who starts making counterfeit products with her younger sister, before being recruited by Seong-jun.
- Moon Da-bin: Played by Park Se-wan, is Yu-bin’s sister, who helps her produce counterfeit bags.
A release date for “Knock Off” has yet to be confirmed, but anticipation is already palpable for what is shaping up to be one of Disney+’s flagship K-dramas.