'Flex x Cop 2' — can it be the younger brother better than the older?
SBS director Kim Jae-hong of the new Fri-Sat drama 'Flex x Cop 2' offered remarks on his direction ahead of the first broadcast of the new season.
Following Manager Kim, the SBS new Fri-Sat drama Flex x Cop 2, which premieres on Fri., Aug. 7 (produced by Studio S, Big Ocean ENM, BA Entertainment), is a refreshing, exhilarating, satisfying buddy cop procedural about conglomerate detective Jin I-su (Ahn Bo-hyun) and new team leader Ju Hye-ra (Jung Eun-Chae), who flip cases with financial power when investigations stall. It is a work that forms one axis of SBS's soda-universe alongside Taxi Driver, The Fiery Priest and The Judge from Hell, and is drawing attention as a promising title expected to briskly kick off SBS's trusted seasonal drama lineup for 2026. Moreover, director Kim Jae-hong and writer Kim Ba-da, who built the distinctive
Director Kim said, "There was only one goal. Season 2 better than season 1," and candidly described the preparation process, saying, "We reviewed season 1, worked to补강 (supplement) the weaknesses and preserve the strengths." He added, "The big principle for season 2 was 'don't try to do what we didn't do, do better what we did well.' We kept the kitsch and wit but considered how Jin I-su, who has become a true detective, would use his wealth in investigations," and explained that they enlarged the scale of each episode to achieve that.
Director Kim said, "We prepared cases that happen because Jin I-su exists and cases that only Jin I-su can solve. They are episodes so challenging you'd wonder, 'How on earth do you film this?' To solve those difficult cases, Jin I-su's FLEX had to be on a much larger scale," and hinted at raised expectations, saying, "In season 1 Jin I-su only rode a helicopter, but this time he even flies a private jet overseas to catch criminals. Because such scenes could look like an unrealistic comic, we put a lot of effort into integrating them naturally into the drama."
He expressed boundless trust in lead Ahn Bo-hyun. Director Kim said, "He has an absurd physique and appearance, and on top of that he's smart, funny and has a great personality. With actor Ahn Bo-hyun, any scene—comic, serious or action—is possible," showing affection. He added, "Every moment of Jin I-su contains Ahn Bo-hyun's ego and ideas. Because we already did much preparation and communication when creating the Jin I-su character in season 1, season 2 was very easy to make. Now it's 'Ahn Bo-hyun = Jin I-su,' so when I say in rehearsal, 'Do it as you see fit,' he truly does it. As a director I'm very grateful."
He also mentioned the chemistry with new cast member Jung Eun-Chae. Director Kim said, "I've long been a fan, and she was my and the writer's irreplaceable top pick for the role of Ju Hye-ra. Ju Hye-ra needed charisma and senior presence to overpower Jin I-su, while also being sophisticated and witty; Jung Eun-Chae is a perfect fit like no one else could play this role," expressing pride. He continued, "She has an aura and presence that effort alone can't produce, and she works hard in action scenes without holding back. In real life her personality is even cute. Simply the best," he said, giving a thumbs-up.
He guaranteed the chemistry between Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-Chae, saying, "First, their visual pairing is insane. Looking at their two-shot, you wonder if they are even the same species—their facial and physical chemistry is that good. Also, the new dynamic in season 2 between Jin I-su and Ju Hye-ra is interesting. Jin I-su is not the type to be dominated by someone, but he is by Ju Hye-ra. Starting as skeptical senior-junior colleagues, they gradually become colleagues who trust and rely on each other. It's thrilling. You can look forward to it."
Director Kim also boasted, "We are known internally and externally as a team with a great on-set atmosphere, and it's even better than people think," and said proudly, "Not only the actors but even the original staff arranged schedules two years ago so the founding members could reconvene. Shooting season 2 felt not like a new season but like pausing season 1 and continuing—very natural. Of course there's the strong first team including Ahn Bo-hyun, Kang Sang Jun and Kim Shin-bi, and newly joined Jung Eun-Chae naturally blended into our team's atmosphere, so we worked joyfully and comfortably," highlighting the exceptional rapport and raising expectations for the special synergy of the Flex x Cop 2 team.
Meanwhile, Flex x Cop season 1 recorded a peak rating of 11.0% and concluded in March 2024. Park Ji-hyun departed after season 1, and Jung Eun-Chae and Yoo Seungho newly joined in season 2.
[Photo] SBS new Fri-Sat drama 'Flex x Cop 2'
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