Suzy X Kim Seon Ho K-Drama Scraps Filming Plans Allegedly Due To Backlash

The new Suzy and Kim Seon Ho–led series Hypnosis has reportedly scrapped plans to film in China, and the production team is now scouting alternative locations.

On October 15, a Disney+ representative made a statement to OSEN, claiming that filming locations were freshly under review thanks to a last minute change. This was in response to OSEN’s earlier exclusive revealing that the show’s China shoot had been canceled. According to OSEN, the Hypnosis team had initially planned to film scenes in China this month, since part of the story takes place in Shanghai. However, due to unforeseen local circumstances, all overseas filming was canceled, and the crew will now focus on domestic locations in Korea.

“The filming location was still under review — nothing had been finalized yet, and it’s difficult to confirm future shooting sites.”

Industry insiders speculate that the decision might be linked to backlash surrounding Disney+’s other original series Polaris. In that show, character Seo Moon Joo (Jun Ji Hyun) remarks, “Why does China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall on the border zone,” a line that angered some Chinese netizens, who accused the series of distorting perceptions of China.

The controversy even led to boycott calls against Jun Ji Hyun, with brands reportedly removing her from their Chinese websites, though her agency denied the rumors.

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Now, as that fallout remains unresolved, Hypnosis has faced its own setback. The highly anticipated project stars Suzy as Song Jung Hwa, a mysterious woman whose portrait is painted by artist Yoon Yi Ho (Kim Seon Ho) in 1935 Gyeongseong. The drama, directed by Han Jae Rim (The King, Emergency Declaration, The 8 Show), is slated for release on Disney+ in 2026.