"Flex x Cop" returned with a new season after two years, and it announced a smooth start from the first broadcast.
According to ratings firm Nielsen Korea on the 8th, SBS "Flex x Cop," which aired the previous day, recorded nationwide 6.1% and metropolitan area 6.0%, 0.3 percentage points higher than the nationwide 5.8% of season 1's premiere.
The episode that aired that day, "Flex x Cop2," began season 2 by first explaining the characters' situations that had changed from season 1. Lee Kang-hyun (Park Ji-hyun) had gone to study in Los Angeles, and Jin Yi-soo (Ahn Bo-hyun) had returned as a full-fledged detective after attending the police academy.
In addition, Jung Hye-ra (Jung Eun-Chae) joined as the head of the new Violent Crimes Unit 1. Jung Hye-ra was a figure who showed a "detestable chemistry" with Jin Yi-soo when he attended the police academy, and she is remembered by Jin Yi-soo as the "devil instructor" who constantly disciplined him.
Above all, Ahn Bo-hyun once again revealed the charm of Jin Yi-soo in season 2 as he did in season 1. True to a unique third-generation heir detective boasting tremendous wealth, he returned to the Jin Yi-soo we knew two years ago, launching a private jet to catch a suspect from his first appearance, disguising himself in a Mexican mariachi outfit, and striking boastful shooting poses.
While Ahn Bo-hyun displayed his characteristic "rough charm," newcomer Jung Eun-Chae showed charisma completely opposite to Ahn Bo-hyun this season. She displayed girl-crush appeal with leadership that remained calm even in tense situations and with cool-headed judgment that quickly subdued a bombing scene.
As the two people with different charms come together as a team, what kind of chemistry they will show going forward is a new point of interest.
In particular, "Flex x Cop2" naturally handled Park Ji-hyun's departure, who had been a mainstay of season 1, in the first broadcast. For viewers who enjoyed season 1, quickly making them understand the arrival of new characters and changes in existing characters is a factor that can determine season 2's success, and "Flex x Cop2" started season 2 relatively smoothly in this regard.
At the "Flex x Cop2" production press conference, director Kim Jae-hong said the goal was to make season 2 better than season 1. He candidly revealed his feelings, saying, "Our immediate previous work (Manager Kim) was a huge success with unbelievable ratings. It would be a lie to say there is no pressure. I am carrying a hundredfold sense of burden."
He added, "Personally, I think drama is evaluated on an absolute scale. The unified goal was to make season 2 better than season 1 for the cast and crew. We tried to surpass the records, process and results of season 1."
For now, the first objective was achieved in the premiere ratings. It made a smooth first step by starting with higher ratings than the season 1 premiere. Whether "Flex x Cop2" can surpass season 1's stature and establish itself as "the younger sibling better than the older brother," and the new chemistry that Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-Chae will build, are drawing attention.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast capture
[OSEN]