The news no Flex X Cop fan wanted to hear has just been confirmed — actress Park Ji-hyun, who won hearts as the sharp and fearless Detective Lee Kang-hyun, will not be returning for the second season. The reason? Scheduling conflicts. But for many viewers, that explanation doesn’t make the loss any easier to accept.
From Fan Favourite to Sudden Exit
Park Ji-hyun’s Lee Kang-hyun was more than just a supporting character. She was the backbone of the Violent Crimes Unit — smart, composed, and unwilling to bend her morals. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Ahn Bo-hyun became one of the series’ most talked-about elements, sparking a fan-driven hope for a romance subplot in Season 2.
That’s why the reaction online has been intense. Some are voicing disappointment, while others are going so far as to say Season 2 should be scrapped entirely.
“Cancel the second season,” one fan wrote on social media.
“It won’t be the same without her.”
What Made Flex X Cop Special
When SBS launched Flex X Cop in early 2024, it quickly became one of the year’s standout dramas. A unique mix of slick action, mystery, and humour, the show followed chaebol heir-turned-detective Jin I-soo (Ahn Bo-hyun) and his seasoned partner Lee Kang-hyun as they tackled violent crimes with wildly different approaches.
The drama didn’t just pull strong ratings — it gave audiences a fresh pairing they wanted to see more of. Park Ji-hyun’s portrayal was so well-received that she took home the Excellence Award at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards.
Where This Leaves Season 2
With filming for Season 2 planned for early 2026, SBS now faces a challenge:
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Recast Lee Kang-hyun and risk losing the chemistry that fans loved.
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Write out the character entirely and adjust the storyline.
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Or delay production — a move that could keep hope alive for Park Ji-hyun’s return.
For now, the network is reportedly searching for a replacement, but nothing has been confirmed.
Park Ji-hyun’s Next Move
While she won’t be returning to Flex X Cop, Park isn’t disappearing from the small screen. She’s already lined up a new leading role in tvN’s upcoming office romance drama, Back to Work! (working title), alongside Seo In-guk. It’s a very different genre, but if her past work is anything to go by, viewers can expect another standout performance.
The Bigger Picture
Losing a central cast member between seasons is always a risk — and in a show built on character chemistry, it can make or break the story. For Flex X Cop, the absence of Detective Lee Kang-hyun will be felt in more ways than one. Whether fans will embrace a new face in the role, or turn away altogether, is a question that only Season 2 can answer.
What do you think?
Should SBS push ahead with a recast, delay production in hopes of bringing Park back, or change the story entirely? Drop your thoughts below — because this conversation is just getting started.
