The second season of “Flex X Cop” (재벌X형사), starring Ahn Bo-hyun (안보현) and Jung Eun-chae (정은채), recently premiered. In the series, Ahn Bo-hyun plays Jin Yi-soo, who teams up with former police academy instructor Joo Hye-ra (Jung Eun-chae), now his new partner. The opening episode plunged them into a bomb crisis, with the thrilling plot quickly captivating viewers.
Jung Eun-chae's appearance as Detective Joo Hye-ra in a police uniform, showcasing her tall and sharp physique along with her cool demeanor, received significant praise from many viewers. Related images also went viral on X (formerly Twitter). However, amidst the compliments, some netizens unearthed Jung Eun-chae's two past “affair controversies,” arguing that her striking looks or acclaimed acting should not overshadow her past issues. These comments quickly ignited a fierce discussion.
Jung Eun-chae debuted in 2010 with the thriller film “Haunters” (초능력자). In 2013, she gained recognition for her role in the film “Nobody's Daughter Haewon” (누구의 딸도 아닌 해원), earning several rookie awards for her natural and nuanced acting. She later appeared in works such as “The King: Eternal Monarch” (더 킹: 영원의 군주), “Anna” (안나), and “Jeong Nyeon” (정년), gradually building her reputation. Her cool and unique aura has led many viewers to consider her a “high-class representative” in the K-drama scene.
However, her past relationship controversies are still occasionally brought up by netizens. In March 2024, Jung Eun-chae was reported to be dating artist Kim Chung-jae (김충재), known for his appearance on “I Live Alone” (나 혼자 산다). The couple openly confirmed their relationship, which had been ongoing for some time, and were seen by many as a perfect match of talent and beauty. Yet, with the broadcast of “Flex X Cop 2,” her two past relationship controversies once again became a hot topic of discussion on Korean online communities.
The first controversy erupted in 2013. At the time, Japanese entertainment weekly “Friday” reported that Jung Eun-chae met Japanese actor Kase Ryo (加瀬亮) while working on a film with director Hong Sang-soo (홍상수). The two were photographed on several dates, including spending a night together, dating in a car, and shopping at a Tokyo supermarket.
However, Kase Ryo was reportedly cohabiting with Japanese actress Ichikawa Mikako (市川実日子) for five years at the time. Following the reports, questions arose about their relationship, leading to accusations of “rebound love” and “two-timing,” further labeling it an “affair.”
Jung Eun-chae's agency at the time vehemently denied the claims, stating that the Japanese media reports were “completely groundless and baseless.” They clarified that Jung Eun-chae had traveled to Japan to visit friends residing there, and Kase Ryo merely acted as a guide, denying any romantic relationship between them.
Years after the controversy subsided, Jung Eun-chae was embroiled in another “affair allegation” in 2020. Korean media outlets revisited her past with singer Jung Joon-il (정준일) from about 10 years prior, claiming they had been in a relationship.
Jung Eun-chae had frequently attended Jung Joon-il's concerts, leading fans to believe she was his girlfriend. However, a post on Jung Joon-il's fan cafe later revealed that he had already registered his marriage in 2010. Although they divorced in 2011, his wife had accused him of an affair during their marriage, thus implicating Jung Eun-chae in the scandal.
Jung Joon-il's ex-wife, identified as A, revealed at the time that she met and dated Jung Joon-il in 2006. She later discovered he had an extramarital affair with another woman from late 2009 to mid-2010. Although Jung Joon-il promised not to repeat his actions, and they registered their marriage in 2011, their relationship soon broke down again due to another affair, prompting A to disclose the details.
Regarding this past, Jung Eun-chae's side stated that she was unaware of Jung Joon-il's marital status at the time, emphasizing that she was also kept in the dark. Jung Joon-il's side, however, denied these claims, with both parties presenting conflicting accounts, causing the incident to continue to escalate.
At the time, Jung Eun-chae was filming the SBS drama “The King: Eternal Monarch,” and some netizens even flooded the drama's official website, demanding her removal from the cast, leading to intense controversy.
Now, with the popularity of “Flex X Cop 2,” Jung Eun-chae's two past relationship controversies have once again been unearthed by Korean netizens. Many believe that her looks and acting should not be reasons to downplay the controversies, leaving comments such as: “With that face and talent, why cheat?” “The first time might be a mistake, but the second time...” “Actors really get whitewashed easily,” “I hate affairs the most, I don't want to see it,” “Every time I see her, I only think of affairs,” “The affair woman... Honestly, I even find her acting mediocre, I really don't know why she keeps getting so many roles,” and “If it's one affair, even if she's mocked like Lee Byung-hun, I'd let it go. But someone who has two affairs, how much more are people going to shield her?”
Some have also compared her to other celebrities who have faced relationship controversies, questioning whether there is a phenomenon in the entertainment industry where “if you're pretty and a good actor, you're easily forgiven,” making Jung Eun-chae's past controversies a topic of discussion once more.
