'Flex x Cop' season 2 returns on a bigger scale.
On the morning of the 4th at the SBS building in Mok-dong, Yangcheon District, Seoul, the production presentation for the new Fri-Sat drama 'Flex x Cop' season 2 was held, attended by director Kim Jae-hong and actors Ahn Bo-hyun, Jung Eun-Chae, Kang Sang Jun and Kim Shin-bi, who talked about the work.
'Flex x Cop2' is a breezy, refreshing and satisfying buddy cop investigation drama in which conglomerate detective Jin Yi-su (Ahn Bo-hyun) overturns cases with financial power when investigations stall, and new head of team Ju Hye-ra (Jung Eun-Chae)'s money-powered antics drive the story; director Kim Jae-hong, who built the distinctive world of the 'FLEX investigation series,' and writer Kim Ba-da have reunited to present an even more expanded universe.
That day director Kim Jae-hong raised expectations, saying the difference from season 1 was, "The logline for this season 2 was, 'If an investigation stalls, think again about whether money is lacking.' Season 1's box office was disappointing, so 'think again about whether money is lacking.' The scale has grown. The visually rich 'Flex x Cop2' has returned."
The director said, "It's difficult to talk about exact amounts. In preparing episodes, we tried to create 'high-end episodes.' Because they are processes that occur specifically because it's Jin Yi-su, we tried to show every process as luxurious and refined."
Jung Eun-Chae newly joined for this season 2. Jung Eun-Chae said, "I'm the only newly added member, and after season 1 I was curious how this drama's lively rhythm would expand and proceed. I heard that all the team members get along well, and I chose to join because I wanted to experience that."
Jung Eun-Chae explained, "She enters as the head of the Kangha Police Station team, and in the past she and Jin Yi-su formed a mentor-mentee relationship at the police academy; there's a story where I trained him harshly as the devil instructor. Starting from that tough relationship, they become very cool cooperative partners."
'Flex x Cop2' will carry both expectations and pressure as the successor to the earlier work 'Manager Kim.' In particular, 'Manager Kim' recorded a 23% rating and boasted this year's syndrome-level viewership and buzz. Director Kim said, "Our immediate predecessor was a huge success with unbelievable ratings. It would be a lie to say there's no pressure. We carry a hundredfold burden," adding, "Personally, I think drama is an absolute evaluation."
He continued, "The single goal was consistently to make a season 2 better than season 1 for the cast and crew. We tried to overcome season 1's records, process and results," and regarding competition with 'Married Woman Killer' in the same time slot he said, "The drama 'Married Woman Killer,' along with 'Manager Kim,' actually drew people to their TVs, and that's a welcome cultural phenomenon."
On what sets 'Flex x Cop2' apart, director Kim previewed, "We've prepared a fun, refreshing genre drama that you can watch to feel relieved amid brutal heat waves and tropical nights, a mystery investigation piece, differentiated episodes and genre stories with various colors, so you'll be able to enjoy it."
What was the chemistry among the cast like with Jung Eun-Chae's addition? Jung Eun-Chae admitted, "As the newly joined member there were worries about adapting, but unexpectedly all the actors, staff and the director welcomed me and created an environment where I could act freely, so it was a very happy time."
Ahn Bo-hyun also joked, "I'm naturally good at it," and added, "I've seen many of Jung Eun-Chae's works, and after watching the piece 'ANNA' I thought she had aura and that in real life she has a similar personality. I wondered, 'Would she fit the detective role?' but when I watched closely I could only nod—there was no need to adjust physicality, height or tone. I was so grateful, and in the drama she appears as my former trainee, and that narrative comes out well so when I get the short end it gives me a dopamine rush. Please enjoy those parts."
Kang Sang Jun said, "I watched 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born' and thought she would be so cool. She truly was. Among the women I've seen, I think it's the first time I've seen someone with such a cool, righteous expression and aura. It felt like Ju Hye-ra walking in," and Kim Shin-bi said, "I also actually became a fan after watching Jeongnyeon. While filming, seeing senior Jung Eun-Chae's gaze, or the gaze of Head of Team Ju Hye-ra, I saw Yi-su's heart waver and then— it was that good."
The action unique to 'Flex x Cop2' is also drawing anticipation. Jung Eun-Chae recalled, "There were many collisions on set. Because the other actors are so skilled and experienced in action, most of them did their own stunts. Although I had a role, nearly all the action scenes were executed well, so watching them I thought I had to pull myself together and coordinate to keep everyone from getting hurt. It was a time for listening intently on set."
Ahn Bo-hyun quipped, "I'm good at it by nature," and added, "Compared with season 1, there seems to be more exhilarating action. With helicopters and private jets appearing, there are action scenes rarely seen in dramas, and with movie-like sequences continuing, I think viewers will feel that exhilaration."
Asked whether he felt pressure that season 1's popularity led to a sequel format, Ahn Bo-hyun said, "I felt more excitement than pressure. I didn't expect 'Manager Kim' to do so well with such high ratings, so there was pressure. Ninety percent of the same staff and actors worked together. It felt like the excitement of returning to school after winter break."
He added, "In season 2 unexpected episode characters will appear. The point I think viewers will enjoy is that they can watch and deduce as they follow each episode. A famous person's appearance doesn't necessarily mean that person is the culprit. I think that aspect will become an advantage that surpasses the subplots."
This work teases special appearances by stars including Yoo Seungho as the mysterious conglomerate character 'Yoo Seong-won,' as well as Kim Eui-sung, Lee Hak-ju, Heo Sung-tae, Jung Chaeyeon, Jeon Hye-bin and Kim Hye-eun, making the return of 'Flex x Cop2' feel even bigger in scale. Director Kim Jae-hong said, "Within our 'Flex x Cop' universe, Jin Yi-su resolves cases by mobilizing all money and influence. We also mobilized all available money and influence for casting. We used Ahn Bo-hyun's connections. We pleaded and begged, and if someone said no we even threatened, and we invited each precious person one by one."
When asked what considerations were kept in mind for securing special appearances, director Kim Jae-hong explained, "The new character Yoo Seong-won, played by Yoo Seungho, is a third-generation conglomerate with wealth comparable to Jin Yi-su and a world-famous sculptor. He is a mysterious figure long suspected by Ju Hye-ra. From the mid-to-late part of the story he handles very important, dense material, so we deliberated carefully when casting him."
Director Kim said, "I met actor Yoo Seungho through 'Revenge Has Returned,' and when I read the script I felt it would be difficult to imagine anyone but Yoo Seungho in the role, so I asked him. He graciously agreed to a special appearance. We planned to hide and save the character for later reveal, but his presence was too striking to conceal, so we decided not to hold back and have him appear frequently from the start."
Previously, 'Manager Kim' actor Yoon Kyung-ho fulfilled a '13-hour silent retreat' pledge aligned with a 13% rating. When asked about viewership pledges, the 'Flex x Cop2' actors mentioned that if they surpass 'Manager Kim''s ratings they would take everyone on set on a cruise.
In response to a request to propose a feasible pledge, Ahn Bo-hyun said, "Since season 1 is our rival, I'd be really happy with 15%. If we exceed that, I don't have a special pledge prepared, but if I can add funds I will. I'd like to accept pledge suggestions in the comments," offering the first 'viewer submission.'
Meanwhile, SBS's 'Flex x Cop2' premieres on Friday the 7th at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] Park Joonhyung reporter
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