▲ This image of South Korean actors Kim Soo-Hyun (L) and Jo Bo-ah (C) attend the press conference for Disney+'s original series "Nine Puzzles," held in Singapore on Nov. 21, 2024, in this photo provided by the OTT giant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- "If Baek Hyun-woo in Queen of Tears was warm and kind, this time I'm playing a much colder character," said actor Kim Soo-hyun, who is taking on a new role as the king of the global counterfeit market in a dramatic transformation from his usual romantic and heartfelt performances.

 

At the press conference for Disney+'s upcoming series Knock-off, held on the 21st (local time) at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Kim described his character as "a pragmatic individual who focuses solely on survival."

 

Set to be released next year, Knock-off tells the story of a man whose life is upended by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, leading him to rise to the top of the global counterfeit market.

 

Kim Soo-hyun plays Kim Sung-jun, an ordinary office worker who uses his sharp mind, quick thinking, and intense ambition to enter the counterfeit goods trade.

 

"I was fascinated by the journey of a regular guy turning into the 'counterfeit king,' and I felt confident about bringing that transformation to life," Kim said, explaining his reasons for joining the project. "There are several compelling characters in the story, each with their own unique survival tactics. I want to show how Kim Sung-jun navigates countless crises, evolves, and grows throughout his journey."

 

Kim added that he sees a resemblance between himself and his character, describing them both as having "a subtle charisma."

 

Unlike his previous romantic roles, Kim will focus on portraying the sly charm of a merchant. His character crosses paths with his former lover, Song Hye-jung (played by Jo Bo-ah), a special judicial police officer in charge of counterfeit investigations. Kim noted, "The romance in this series accounts for about 15%."

 

"In the first episode, there's a scene where Sung-jun tries to sell goods to customers. He may be clumsy, but with a predatory mindset, he does everything he can to persuade his targets to make a purchase. Please look forward to those efforts."

 

Jo Bo-ah, who stars alongside Kim, highlighted the unique premise of the series. "I found the counterfeit market setting fascinating when I read the script," she said. "The storyline spans from the 1990s to the 2000s, so it will evoke a sense of nostalgia for viewers."

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