Ahn Bo-hyun Captivates Viewers in 'Flex X Cop 2' with Irresistible 'Smug Charm'

Ahn Bo-hyun has captured the hearts of home audiences in "Flex X Cop 2" with his unique and impossible-to-hate "smug charm."

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "Flex X Cop 2" (written by Kim Ba-da, directed by Kim Jae-hong) is a thrilling investigative series depicting the exhilarating cooperation between Jin Yi-soo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol detective who shakes up stalled investigations with his overwhelming wealth, and the new team leader Joo Hye-ra. Amidst a vastly expanded scale, Jin Yi-soo's petty yet impossible-to-hate self-praise and "smug beauty" unfolding on screen are drawing enthusiastic responses from viewers.

In the drama, Jin Yi-soo spares no expense with his trademark "money and connections" to punish villains. While he catches criminals through everything from life-threatening car chases to brazen undercover operations, he triggers laughter by activating a "smug mode" where he shamelessly praises himself rather than acting modest. Whether transforming into a current affairs show host to expose crimes and display his attention-seeking side, or boasting after accurately hitting a target with a gun by saying, "At this point, I'm John Wick," he never fails to show off. Even when injured in the hand, his tenacious refusal to give up his signature gesture maximizes the character's multi-dimensional depth.

Though it is a character that could easily come across as unlikable, critics note that Ahn Bo-hyun's delicate pacing and control in acting have completed what is truly a "life-defining character." Blending seasoned investigative skills as an official police officer with delightful wit, viewers have poured in rave reviews such as, "Jin Yi-soo is smug on the inhale and smug on the exhale, it's driving me crazy," "It's infuriating yet impossible to hate him," and "Please never grow up and stay smug forever."

Fueled by this word-of-mouth buzz, "Flex X Cop 2" has officially revved up its upward momentum. Following its peak viewership rating of 7.4% (compiled by Nielsen Korea) based on episode 4, it claimed the No. 1 spot in the non-original drama category on Disney+ in South Korea (as of August 18) according to global OTT viewing ranking site FlixPatrol, proving its formidable box office firepower.

Ahn Bo-hyun's passionate performance, leading the box office race as the unprecedented chaebol detective Jin Yi-soo, will continue in episode 5 of "Flex X Cop 2," airing at 9:50 p.m. on Friday, August 21.

Reporter Kang Sun-ae

(SBS E&M, Reporter Kang Sun-ae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.