[Dispatch=Reporter Yuha] "It's an exhilarating and thrilling drama like riding a roller coaster. Just let yourself go with the flow." (Jeong Eun-chae)

Actor Ahn Bo-hyun has returned as a third-generation chaebol detective. New team leader Jeong Eun-chae has joined to complete the new 'detective partner' chemistry. Starting as rivals, they are reborn as unmatched collaborative partners.

Season 1's 'flex soda' world has been expanded further. When investigations hit a snag, they deploy private jets and supercars. They mobilize money and connections to solve cases in extraordinary ways beyond imagination.

SBS-TV's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Chaebol X Detective 2' held a production presentation on the morning of the 4th at the SBS Hall in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Actors Ahn Bo-hyun, Jeong Eun-chae, Kang Sang-jun, Kim Shin-bi, and director Kim Jae-hong attended.

'Chaebol X Detective 2' is an action comedy drama. It depicts the collaborative investigation of wealthy detective Jin (Ahn Bo-hyun) and new team leader Joo Hye-ra (Jeong Eun-chae), who flips the board with wealth when investigations stall.

Ahn Bo-hyun returns as 'Jin'. As the youngest son of a chaebol group, he actively utilizes money, connections, and unique drive in investigations. He is a character who solves cases in unconventional ways.

During the two-year gap, Jin has changed too. He received formal education at police academy and has grown further as a detective. His characteristic free-spiritedness remains, but his investigative skills and sense of responsibility have become firmer.

Ahn Bo-hyun said, "Jin's default baseline remains the same. However, having attended police academy, he's become somewhat more mature. You'll be able to see Jin in action that's become even cooler."

The scale of action has also increased. Ahn Bo-hyun said, "From car action to private jets, scenes that are hard to encounter in dramas appear. Scenes unfold as if watching a movie. You'll be able to feel the thrill."

Jeong Eun-chae has newly joined as 'Joo Hye-ra', the new team leader of the Major Crimes Unit. She is an elite who has served as a police academy instructor and head of the National Police Agency's counter-terrorism team. With sharp investigative instincts and judgment, she digs into the core of cases.

Jeong Eun-chae said, "As a fan who enjoyed Season 1, I was curious about how the story with its light rhythm would expand. I heard many times that the chemistry of the existing team members is really good. I wanted to be part of that too," explaining her reason for appearing.

She put effort into action as well. She visited an action school to match choreography and directly engaged her body on set. She said, "The existing actors handled action so skillfully. I sharpened my focus and learned a lot while being cautious to ensure no one got hurt during filming."

Jeong Eun-chae explained, "(With Ahn Bo-hyun) we start as rivals, but gradually become cool collaborative partners." Ahn Bo-hyun in turn hinted, "If you see what happens to me in episodes 1-2, dopamine will burst. You'll instantly understand what kind of person Hye-ra is."

Season 2's logline is 'When investigations stall, consider whether it's a shortage of money.' The production team wielded various offensives just like Jin.

Director Kim Jae-hong said, "Season 1 lacked some action," and joked, "The production team also approached it with the mindset of 'when box office stalls, consider whether it's a shortage of money.' We prepared a Season 2 that's more flashy and richer in content."

The episodes have also become bolder. Director Kim said, "I wanted to create incidents that can happen because it's Jin and can be resolved because it's Jin. Both process and result are structured refinedly to feel 'high-end'."

Kang Sang-jun highlighted the viewing points unique to 'Chaebol X Detective 2'. "There's the fun of jointly deducing the criminal like a typical investigative drama. At the same time, you start to imagine 'How much money will Jin spend this time and how will he solve it?' There's fun that comes when that imagination actually unfolds," he said.

Casting also mobilized full backing. New actors appear each episode to drive the story. Jeong Eun-chae asked for anticipation, saying, "Each episode's protagonist shows such charming performances that you feel they are special guest actors."

Yoo Seung-ho lends his strength. Director Kim introduced him as "a mysterious character who has long been suspected by Hye-ra. From the latter half of the drama onward, he handles a very important story. A densely crafted character that everyone deliberated on from the casting stage."

SBS previously hit back-to-back with 'Magnificent Century' and 'Kim Bu-jang', recording 14.1% and 27.1% (highest viewership) respectively. Can 'Chaebol X Detective 2' continue the box office legacy of Friday-Saturday dramas?

Director Kim didn't hide his burden. "'Kim Bu-jang' recorded unbelievable viewership ratings. It would be a lie to say there's no pressure," but he emphasized, "I think dramas are absolutely evaluated. Our only goal was to make a work better than Season 1."

He continued, "We prepared to exceed Season 1's record and process with Season 2's own strength. I believe we achieved that goal. When you watch the first broadcast, you'll watch until the end without stopping," he added.

Ahn Bo-hyun felt more excitement than burden. Most actors and staff who worked on Season 1 reunited. He recalled, "It felt like returning to school after winter break. I returned to the set with joyful and excited feelings."

He compared 'Chaebol X Detective 2' to 'money-chkin'. "Jin is not a munchkin but a 'money-chkin'. I hope it becomes a series with refined and kitschy appeal. While watching, I hope you laugh, dopamine bursts, and you forget difficult things for a moment," he wished.

'Chaebol X Detective 2' airs its first broadcast on the 7th at 9:50 p.m.

<Photo=Reporter Lee Ho-jun>