SBS drama ‘Flex X Cop’ season 2 confirmed after 11% ratings success

04 Jun 2026, 18:26 by K-Soul · allkpop

SBS recently unveiled its drama lineup for the second half of the year, drawing major attention from viewers. At the center of the announcement is the long-awaited second season of a hit drama that recorded double-digit ratings during its original 2024 broadcast. The sequel, which was confirmed immediately after Season 1 ended, is finally returning to television screens after two years. With actress Jung Eun Chae joining the cast and Yoo Seung Ho making his first TV drama return in three years, anticipation is already building ahead of its premiere.

What Happened in Season 1 of ‘Flex X Cop’?

'Flex X Cop' followed the story of a carefree third-generation chaebol heir who unexpectedly becomes a detective assigned to a violent crimes unit. Under the concept of “money against money, connections against connections,” the series gained popularity for combining massive wealth, elite connections, sharp intelligence, and flashy action skills to take down criminals in a satisfying fashion.

The ratings reflected its success. The drama debuted with 5.7% nationwide viewership according to Nielsen Korea, rose to 6.9% for Episode 2, and steadily climbed to a peak in the 11% range. SBS’s signature mix of fast-paced, justice-driven storytelling and comedic action resonated strongly with viewers in their 30s to 50s. During the broadcast, Ahn Bo Hyun also drew attention for his signature “tanghulu hairstyle” and flashy fashion, which quickly spread across social media.

One of the biggest reasons behind Season 1’s popularity was its clear character setup. Although the premise of a chaebol heir becoming a detective leaned heavily into fantasy, the drama balanced it within the grounded framework of a crime investigation series, creating both relatability and humor. Every time protagonist Jin Yi Soo used chaebol-level resources to solve cases, viewers were treated to both cathartic and comedic moments that kept audiences engaged throughout the series.

Even after the finale, iconic scenes from the drama continued circulating in online communities, while many new viewers discovered the series later through OTT platforms, including Disney+.

SBS’s Growing Reputation for Successful Franchise Dramas

SBS has steadily expanded what many viewers call its “Friday-Saturday soda universe” — a lineup of dramas known for quirky character-driven storytelling and satisfying justice narratives. Previous hits include 'Taxi Driver,' 'The Fiery Priest,' 'One Dollar Lawyer,' and 'One the Woman.'

More recently, SBS further cemented its reputation for successful multi-season productions with the continued success of 'Taxi Driver 3' and other franchise dramas.

Industry observers note that successful sequel dramas require more than simply repeating the original formula. The first season must already have a strong foundation, while the sequel needs to evolve its story and characters rather than recycle familiar elements. Since viewers already understand the world and characters, Season 2 must deliver fresh tension and development.

'Flex X Cop 2' appears designed with that in mind. The sequel introduces Jin Yi Soo’s growth after officially completing police academy training, while also adding a new source of conflict through the arrival of a new team leader.

What Changes in Season 2?

The biggest changes in Season 2 revolve around a new partnership and Jin Yi Soo’s personal growth.

After accidentally becoming a detective in Season 1, Jin Yi Soo gradually discovered a sense of purpose and camaraderie with his colleagues. In the upcoming season, he returns to the Violent Crimes Unit 1 after officially completing training at the police academy. His transformation from an immature chaebol heir into a legitimate detective is expected to become one of the season’s central storylines.

However, the unit receives a new team leader: Joo Hye Ra, the terrifying instructor who once disciplined Jin Yi Soo during his academy days. A former ace member of the National Police Agency’s counterterrorism unit, Joo Hye Ra voluntarily joins Violent Crimes Unit 1 and becomes Jin Yi Soo’s direct superior, setting up a chaotic new partnership dynamic.

The setup becomes especially intriguing because of the reversal in power dynamics. At the academy, the instructor held complete authority. In the field, however, Jin Yi Soo’s wealth, resources, and powerful connections create entirely new variables. The clash between a strict counterterrorism expert and a resource-heavy chaebol detective is expected to drive both the drama’s central conflict and much of its humor.

Jung Eun Chae Joins the Cast

Actress Jung Eun Chae has officially been cast as Joo Hye Ra.

After debuting in the film Haunters, Jung Eun Chae built a strong reputation through projects including The Guest, Pachinko, Anna, and Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born. She has consistently earned praise for her strong screen presence and versatile acting range across genres.

Her character Joo Hye Ra is described as a former counterterrorism ace who volunteers to lead Violent Crimes Unit 1, becoming Jin Yi Soo’s direct boss. While she previously acted as a harsh academy instructor, viewers are expected to closely follow how her relationship with Jin Yi Soo evolves throughout the new season.

Because the chemistry between Ahn Bo Hyun and Lee Joo Bin played a major role in Season 1’s success, many believe the tension and chemistry between Ahn Bo Hyun and Jung Eun Chae could become one of Season 2’s key success factors.

Yoo Seung Ho’s Special Appearance Draws Attention

Another major talking point is Yoo Seung Ho’s special appearance.

The actor will play Yoo Sung Won, the youngest son of a media conglomerate family who also works as a sculptor. He forms a close, brotherly friendship with Jin Yi Soo at a gathering of third-generation chaebol heirs.

The cameo reportedly came together thanks to director Kim Jae Hong, who previously worked with Yoo Seung Ho on the 2018 drama My Strange Hero. Kim Jae Hong personally invited the actor to appear in the sequel.

Fans are especially excited because it marks Yoo Seung Ho’s first return to television dramas in three years. Celebrating his 27th year since his debut, Yoo Seung Ho remains one of Korea’s most trusted actors thanks to the strong acting foundation he built during his days as a child actor.

His role as another wealthy chaebol character in a crime drama also presents a noticeably different image compared to his previous projects. Viewers are already looking forward to seeing how the “original chaebol detective” portrayed by Ahn Bo Hyun contrasts with Yoo Seung Ho’s newer chaebol character.

Original Creative Team Returns for Season 2

Season 2 reunites director Kim Jae Hong and writer Kim Ba Da, the same team behind Season 1’s success.

In many franchise dramas, changes in writers or directors often alter the tone and style enough to alienate existing fans. By maintaining the original creative team, 'Flex X Cop 2' is expected to preserve the same tone and chemistry that viewers enjoyed in the first season.

The production team stated, “We are fully preparing an even more entertaining and thrilling Season 2 to repay viewers for the love they showed Season 1. We ask for continued interest and anticipation for the returning Violent Crimes Unit 1 and detective Jin Yi Soo’s exhilarating investigations.”

Writer Kim Ba Da previously received praise for skillfully balancing comedy, action, and emotional storytelling while maintaining the core investigative structure of the series. Many believe this balance was one of the structural reasons behind Season 1’s strong ratings success, and viewers expect the same formula to continue in the sequel.

‘Flex X Cop 2’ Leads SBS’s Second-Half Drama Lineup

The official announcement for 'Flex X Cop 2' came during SBS’s recent “SBS Drama Media Day: Next Episode” event, where the broadcaster introduced a variety of upcoming dramas spanning romance, action, and thriller genres.

Among the lineup, 'Flex X Cop 2' is viewed as one of SBS’s biggest projects thanks to both the proven popularity of Season 1 and the attention generated by its new cast additions.

Because Season 1 surpassed double-digit ratings and dominated the Friday-Saturday drama competition during its original run, viewer expectations for Season 2 are significantly higher. SBS’s strategy of combining Ahn Bo Hyun’s return, Jung Eun Chae’s casting, and Yoo Seung Ho’s special appearance appears aimed at both retaining existing fans and attracting new audiences.

The official broadcast schedule has yet to be finalized, with a more specific premiere date expected after SBS reveals its complete second-half programming schedule.

Share this article SHARE