{ "id": "epca7vjnfa", "slug": "two-cops-2", "title": "Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "label": "Franchise and series entries as standalone works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.action-thriller-series-entries", "label": "Action, thriller, and crime series film entries", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.action-thriller-series-entries" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.action-thriller-series-entries.entries-released-in-the-1990s", "label": "Entries released in the 1990s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.action-thriller-series-entries.entries-released-in-the-1990s" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "label": "Asia (other) · 1946 to 2000: Franchise and series entries as standalone works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "path": [ { "id": "geo.asia", "label": "Asia (other)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946", "label": "Asia (other) · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series", "label": "Franchise and series entries as standalone works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2, Tukabseu 2) is a 1996 South Korean buddy-cop action-comedy directed by Kang Woo-suk, starring Park Joong-hoon and Kim Bo-sung; the Cinema Service sequel to Two Cops (1993) topped 1996 Korean box office with about 630,000 Seoul admissions.", "snippet": "Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2, Tukabseu 2) is a 1996 South Korean buddy-cop action-comedy directed by Kang Woo-suk, starring Park Joong-hoon and Kim Bo-sung; the Cinema Service sequel to Two Cops (1993) topped 1996 Korean box office with about 630,000 Seoul admissions.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.franchise-series.franchise-series.action-thriller-series-entries.entries-released-in-the-1990s", "markdown": "# Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2)\n\n**Two Cops 2** (투캅스 2; revised romanization *Tukabseu 2*) is a 1996 South Korean action-comedy film directed by Kang Woo-suk and the second installment of the *[Two Cops](https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-1993-film)* buddy-cop series that began with *Two Cops* (1993). It stars Park Joong-hoon as the corrupt Inspector Kang and Kim Bo-sung as his new, principled partner Inspector Lee, with Ji Su-won in a special appearance.[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) Released on April 27, 1996 at 117 minutes, it was rated unfit for minors (청소년 관람불가) and drew 636,047 recorded admissions.[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | April 27, 1996 (South Korea); 117 minutes; rated 청소년 관람불가[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) |\n| Director and writer | Kang Woo-suk; screenplay by Kim Seong-hong[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) |\n| Leads | Park Joong-hoon (Inspector Kang), Kim Bo-sung (Inspector Lee), Ji Su-won (Soo-won, special appearance)[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) |\n| Production and distribution | Cinema Service (production and distribution); executive producer Kim Se-chang[2](https://www.koreafilm.co.kr/database/movie/two_cops2/two_cops2.htm) |\n| Box office | 636,047 admissions recorded by Cine21; about 630,000 in Seoul alone, first among 1996 releases on KOBIS figures[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) • [3](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE) |\n| Budget | About 1.5 billion won, close to twice the cost of an ordinary film at the time[4](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1606930) |\n| Series position | Second of three films: *Two Cops* (1993), *Two Cops 2* (1996), *Two Cops 3* (1998)[5](https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/ko_pick.jsp?blbdComCd=601029&mode=VIEW&seq=51) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nThe story reverses the dynamic of the first film. A newly arrived Inspector Lee no longer sees any reason to tolerate Inspector Kang's corrupt behavior and believes Kang should be removed from the force for good, so he repeatedly urges him to resign. The anxious Kang tries a final counterattack by handing Lee a stack of unsolved cases, but Lee solves many of them all at once.[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37)\n\nDuring the investigation of a major theft, Kang slips back into old habits and takes a diamond for himself. Lee detects the theft and offers a deal: he will forgive Kang if Kang solves another pending case. The case Lee hands over, however, appears impossible to solve, leaving Kang desperate.[6](https://asianwiki.com/Two_Cops_2)\n\n## Production and cast changes\n\nAhn Sung-ki, who co-starred in the 1993 original, did not return for the sequel. Kim Bo-sung, an actor known for action films, joined as Park Joong-hoon's new partner, and the sequel strengthened the action elements compared with the first film.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE) The production budget of about 1.5 billion won, nearly double that of a typical film of the period, went toward more forceful action sequences as the main spectacle.[4](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1606930)\n\nThe supporting cast included Kim Ye-rin (Mira), Jo Hyeong-ki (Detective Ma), Yang Taek-jo (the police chief), Yun Mun-sik (President Park), Kang Seong-jin (Chon-sae), and Han Seong-sik (the big-time thief), among many others.[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) Kang Woo-suk also produced the film with Kim Se-chang as executive producer; the crew included cinematographer Shin Ok-hyun, editor Kim Hyun, and composer Choi Kyung-sik.[1](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37) • [2](https://www.koreafilm.co.kr/database/movie/two_cops2/two_cops2.htm)\n\n## Box office and reception\n\nThe film was a commercial success. Within two months of release it had passed 600,000 admissions in Seoul theaters alone and entered a long theatrical run, with contemporaneous reporting projecting it would surpass the first film's 860,000-admission record.[7](https://www.hankyung.com/article/1996062701901) It ultimately ranked first among 1996 releases by admissions on KOBIS figures, with about 630,000 admissions in Seoul.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE) The Korean Film Archive database records it as a recipient of the 1996 Good Film / Korean film top box-office award, and the KOFIC database lists Blue Dragon Awards recognition for 1996.[2](https://www.koreafilm.co.kr/database/movie/two_cops2/two_cops2.htm) • [8](https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=19960044)\n\nAudience response was more mixed than the numbers suggest. Most viewers judged it less entertaining than the first film after Ahn Sung-ki's departure.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE) Kim Bo-sung's co-starring role in the hit nonetheless fixed his image as an action actor.[9](https://www.kmediarods.com/fileUpload/bulletins/news_pdf_2024-09-12.pdf)\n\n## Place in the series\n\nThe *Two Cops* films are counted among the early Korean film franchises: the 1993 original, modeled partly on Hollywood buddy-cop comedies, was successful enough to spawn *Two Cops 2* (1996) and *Two Cops 3* (1998), becoming a brand name of 1990s Korean cinema.[5](https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/ko_pick.jsp?blbdComCd=601029&mode=VIEW&seq=51) *Two Cops 3*, directed by Kim Sang-jin instead of Kang Woo-suk and replacing Park Joong-hoon with the new actress Kwon Min-jung, drew only about 110,000 admissions in Seoul and ended the series. Afterward, *Two Cops 2* was gradually re-evaluated by audiences as the more watchable of the two sequels.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE)\n\n## References\n\n1. [투캅스2 (Two Cops 2) 상세정보, 씨네21](https://cine21.com/movie/info/?movie_id=37)\n2. [투캅스2, 한국영화데이터베이스 (koreafilm.co.kr)](https://www.koreafilm.co.kr/database/movie/two_cops2/two_cops2.htm)\n3. [조승우 없이 8년 만에 개봉한 2편, 재평가 받은 이유, 오마이뉴스 (2024)](https://v.daum.net/v/fCP9NvOJDE)\n4. [투캅스 2, 매일경제 (1996)](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1606930)\n5. [Ko-pick: Korea's Film Franchises, KOFIC](https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/ko_pick.jsp?blbdComCd=601029&mode=VIEW&seq=51)\n6. [Two Cops 2, AsianWiki](https://asianwiki.com/Two_Cops_2)\n7. [투캅스 시리즈 45억 벌었다 .. 제2편 60만 동원 빅히트, 한국경제 (1996)](https://www.hankyung.com/article/1996062701901)\n8. [Two Cops 2 (1996), KOFIC English database](https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=19960044)\n9. [김보성 인터뷰, 월간 로즈/기독일보 문화 매체 자료집 (2024)](https://www.kmediarods.com/fileUpload/bulletins/news_pdf_2024-09-12.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Franchise and series entries as standalone works › Action, thriller, and crime series film entries › Entries released in the 1990s*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2)](https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2](https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Two Cops 2 (투캅스 2)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/two-cops-2. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Two Cops 2 is a 1996 South Korean buddy-cop action-comedy directed by Kang Woo-suk, starring Park Joong-hoon and Kim Bo-sung; the Cinema Service sequel to Two Cops topped 1996 Korean box office with about 630,000 Seoul admissions." }