SBS’s ‘Flex x Cop 2’ has returned with the success of its first season behind it, promising bigger action, more satisfying investigations and the continued growth of third-generation chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo, played by Ahn Bo-hyun.
However, the opening episodes have failed to deliver the refreshing investigative drama viewers were expecting. Instead, excessive comedic direction has drawn criticism for undermining the show’s themes of justice and its portrayal of the police.
The most noticeable issue in Episodes 1 and 2 is the exaggerated comedy, which often takes precedence over the tension of the cases. One of the most questionable examples involves ordinary brothers repeatedly planting bombs at crime scenes to deceive the police. At one point, the head of the counterterrorism team jokingly tells the officers that a bomb is about to explode even after it has already been defused.
Jin Yi-soo and the other officers take the warning seriously and panic, with the scene ending in exaggerated physical comedy. While the sequence is clearly intended as a joke, the choice of subject matter makes the gag uncomfortable. A counterterrorism team leader joking about a potentially deadly bomb threat is difficult to reconcile with the responsibilities of the job being portrayed.
A similar problem appears during a police academy sequence. During firearms training, Jin Yi-soo imitates the Hollywood action style of John Wick . His exaggerated movements eventually result in a bullet being fired in the wrong direction. Although the scene is intended to showcase Jin Yi-soo’s unconventional personality, firearms training is precisely the kind of environment in which even minor mistakes can have serious consequences. Turning a potential gun accident into a comedic moment therefore risks making light of an issue that requires careful handling.
One parody that reportedly works more naturally is the show’s spoof of the investigative program Unanswered Questions , as it does not carry the same safety implications.
Comedy itself is not necessarily the problem. The criticism is more specifically about where and how the comedy is being used. A police drama can certainly exaggerate situations for entertainment. However, scenes involving bomb threats and firearms require a greater degree of restraint, particularly when the characters involved are supposed to be trained professionals.
The issue is also connected to the show’s broader portrayal of law enforcement. Flex x Cop 2 wants to present Jin Yi-soo and his team as people who ultimately deliver justice and punish wrongdoing. Yet repeatedly portraying the police as incompetent, reckless or incapable of basic safety management creates a contradiction within that premise.
The series entered its second season promising stronger action and more satisfying investigations. Based on the first two episodes, however, the exaggerated comedy risks becoming more memorable than the actual cases. Rather than relying heavily on provocative gags, the drama would benefit from more carefully constructed investigations and a stronger narrative progression.
If Flex x Cop 2 wants to recapture the appeal of its predecessor, it may need to find a better balance between its signature humor and the credibility of the police world it has created. Otherwise, the very comedic style intended to make the drama more entertaining could end up weakening its central message of good versus evil and breaking viewers’ immersion.
Sources: Naver