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Reborn Rookie

2026 South Korean television series

Reborn Rookie

Reborn Rookie is an ongoing South Korean workplace fantasy revenge comedy television series created by Kim Soon-ok, written by Hyun Ji-min, directed by Go Hye-jin, and starring Lee Jun-young, Son Hyun-joo, Lee Ju-myoung, Jeon Hye-jin, and Jin Goo. Based on the web novel The New Employee Chairman Kang by San Kyung, the series depicts the journey of Chairman Kang Yong-ho, who, after an accident, swaps souls with a young man named Hwang Jun-hyeon and becomes an employee at his own company. It premiered on JTBC on May 30, 2026, and airs every Saturday at 22:40 (KST) and Sunday at 22:30 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and Viu and Rakuten Viki in selected regions.

Reborn Rookie

Reborn Rookie
Promotional poster
Hangul
신입사원 강회장
Lit.The New Employee Chairman Kang
RRSinip sawon Gang hoejang
MRSinip sawŏn Kang hoejang
Genre
Created byKim Soon-ok
Based on
The New Employee Chairman Kang
by San Kyung
Written byHyun Ji-min [ko]
Directed byGo Hye-jin
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes6
Production
Production companies
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseMay 30, 2026 (2026-05-30) –
present

Reborn Rookie (Korean: 신입사원 강회장) is an ongoing South Korean workplace fantasy revenge comedy television series created by Kim Soon-ok, written by Hyun Ji-min [ko], directed by Go Hye-jin, and starring Lee Jun-young, Son Hyun-joo, Lee Ju-myoung, Jeon Hye-jin, and Jin Goo. Based on the web novel The New Employee Chairman Kang by San Kyung, the series depicts the journey of Chairman Kang Yong-ho, who, after an accident, swaps souls with a young man named Hwang Jun-hyeon and becomes an employee at his own company. It premiered on JTBC on May 30, 2026, and airs every Saturday at 22:40 (KST) and Sunday at 22:30 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and Viu and Rakuten Viki in selected regions.

Synopsis

Hwang Jun-hyeon, a Choiseong FC soccer player, and Kang Yong-ho, the chairman of the Choiseong Group, cross paths when the chairman's son, Kang Jae-sung, viciously hits Jun-hyeon with the chairman's car while attempting to hide his and his twin sister Kang Jae-kyung's embezzlement. Angered by the abrupt end of his soccer career and the ₩400 million penalty fee he is required to pay back, Jun-hyeon confronts Chairman Kang, but the two end up accidentally head-butting each other while falling down the stairs. After waking up in the hospital, Chairman Kang encounters a shocking revelation—his soul now inhabits the body of Jun-hyeon while Jun-hyeon's soul is in his original body, fast asleep in a coma. Coming to terms with this unexpected situation, Chairman Kang decides to make waves in the company and punish his children's wrongdoings by posing as genius new employee Hwang Jun-hyeon, receiving help from Kang Bang-geul, his youngest daughter who he kept hidden for years.

Cast and characters

The cast of Reborn Rookie (L to R): Jin Goo, Lee Ju-myoung, Jeon Hye-jin, and Lee Jun-young

Main

After playing for FC Sunyang, Hwang Jun-hyeon transferred to Choiseong FC in the first division. He has expressed a goal of playing in the Premier League. One day after joining Choiseong FC, which Jun-hyeon considered the start of his career, he was injured in a hit-and-run accident. The incident ended his soccer career, and Choiseong FC terminated his contract. Key evidence disappeared, and the police investigation was described as incompetent. The reason for the accident was later revealed. The accident was captured on video call footage recorded by the caregiver at his grandmother's nursing home. The vehicle involved was a sports car belonging to the Choiseong Group Chairman Kang Yong-ho. After meeting with Chairman Kang, who had pushed him to the brink, Jun-hyeon's life completely changed. The soul of Chairman Kang inhabits Jun-hyeon's body, while his soul remains in a coma in Chairman Kang's body.
A businessman who, with his unwavering will, has elevated the Choiseong Group to the Top 10 in the South Korean business world. Believing that everything is governed by the logic of money, he earned the title of 'God of Business' while he forces his twin children to compete with him. However, an accident results in his soul being swapped with that of soccer player Hwang Jun-hyeon.
The hidden child of a wealthy family whose very existence remains a secret. Fifteen years ago, she was forced by her family to study abroad and now acts as a troublemaker and lives like a vagrant. However, Bang-geul harbors a deep-seated ambition to prove herself to her family. Seeking to realize this, she secretly completes her studies abroad and joins the Choiseong Group as a new employee under a different identity.
Chairman Kang's twin daughter who is the president of Choiseong Chemical, a subsidiary of the Choiseong Group. She is a goal-oriented character who will stop at nothing when it comes to her passion. Growing up fighting with her twin brother, she possesses considerable fighting prowess. After her father, who pressured her by forcing her to compete with her younger brother over every little thing, suffers an accident, she begins to show her true colors.
Chairman Kang's twin son who is the president of Choiseong Corporation, one of Choiseong Group's core subsidiaries. As the younger of the twins, Jae-sung possesses a vast ambition, but surprisingly little ability. Overwhelmed by his father and overshadowed by his older sister, he becomes a petty person, determined to win against his sister and seize control of the Choiseong Group.

Supporting

People of Choiseong Group

Chairman Kang's second wife and Bang-geul's biological mother.
The manager of Materials Team 2 at Choiseong Trading. Formerly a star in the company's auditing department, he was demoted after exposing corrupt practices within the Choiseong family. He allies with interns Hwang Jun-hyeon and Kang Bang-geul after they join his department, which leads him to reclaiming his secret talents.
The executive director of the Choiseong Group and Chairman Kang's devoted right-hand man for many years. He overlooks those who want to seize control of the Choiseong Group after the accident occurs.
Jae-kyung's husband, who is a professor of neurosurgery at Hangang University Hospital. The two married shortly after meeting at a hospital sponsorship event, and Seok-do is wholeheartedly persistent on supporting his wife to take over the Choiseong Group. He stands by his wife's side no matter what happens, proving his unwavering loyalty to her.
Jae-kyung's son.
  • Kim Seo-ha as Kang Yi-jun[8]
Jae-sung's son.

Others

Chairman of the Taeha Group and Eun-se's father. He is a rival to the Choiseong Group.
Jae-sung's wife through an arranged marriage, she is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Choiseong family and the heiress of the Taeha Group. She wants to make her husband the sole successor of the Choiseong Group, using her strategic skills to ensure he doesn't lose the succession war to his twin sister Jae-kyung.
  • Byun Jung-hee as Heo Ok-soon[9]
Jun-hyeon's grandmother.
  • Shim Woo-sung as Mayor Jang Young-guk, who is facing re-election.[10]

Special appearances

Production

Development

Screenwriter Kim Soon-ok, who wrote The Last Empress (2018–2019) and The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021) is the creator of the series, while writer Hyun Ji-min [ko], who penned Pandora: Beneath the Paradise (2023) is credited as the screenwriter. Directed by Go Hye-jin / Christine Ko and produced by SLL and Copus Korea [ko], the series is based on the web novel The New Employee Chairman Kang by San Kyung, the creator of Reborn Rich's source web novel, which also aired on JTBC.[12][13]

Casting

Lee Jun-young and Jung Chae-yeon were reportedly considering in August 2025.[14] The next month, Lee Jun-young was confirmed to appear, Lee Ju-myoung entered talks for a role, and Son Hyun-joo was cast.[15][16][13] By November 2025, the lead cast was confirmed to include Lee Jun-young, Son Hyun-joo, Lee Ju-myoung, Jeon Hye-jin, and Jin Goo.[12]

Filming

Production was confirmed on September 10, 2025 after JTBC announced that it would air in 2026.[17] Principal photography began in November 2025 and concluded in April 2026.[citation needed]

Release

Reborn Rookie was reportedly scheduled to premiere on JTBC in 2026.[12] By April 2026, the premiere date was confirmed to be on May 30, 2026, airing every Saturday at 22:40 (KST) and Sunday at 22:30 (KST).[18] It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and Viu and Rakuten Viki in selected regions.[19][20]

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on May 30, 2026[21]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."No Breaks" (직진)JoombasJaeseongKang Seung-yoon (Winner)3:10
2."No Breaks" (직진; Inst.) Jaeseong 3:10
Total length:6:20

Part 2

Released on June 7, 2026[22]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Pay Me In Noise"JaeseongJaeseongTHE VANE4:22
2."Pay Me In Noise" (Inst.) Jaeseong 4:22
Total length:8:44

Part 3

Released on June 14, 2026[23]
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I'm Runnin'"
  • NiNE
  • Junji
  • NiNE
  • Junji
  • George Fickle
Close Your Eyes2:47
2."I'm Runnin'" (Inst.) 
  • NiNE
  • Junji
  • George Fickle
 2:47
Total length:5:34

Viewership

Reborn Rookie : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
10.8931.2451.6091.9621.9502.296TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[24]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[24]
Nationwide Seoul
1 May 30, 2026 3.695% (1st) 3.764% (1st)
2 May 31, 2026 5.156% (1st) 5.247% (1st)
3 June 6, 2026 6.726% (1st) 6.611% (1st)
4 June 7, 2026 8.218% (1st) 8.100% (1st)
5 June 13, 2026 8.088% (1st) 8.025% (1st)
6 June 14, 2026 9.524% (1st) 10.166% (1st)
7 June 20, 2026
8 June 21, 2026
9 June 27, 2026
10 June 28, 2026
11 July 4, 2026
12 July 5, 2026
Average — —
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Conran, Pierce (June 2, 2026). "K-drama Reborn Rookie: Lee Jun-young's corporate body-swap fantasy hums with melodrama". South China Morning Post. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  2. ↑ Hong, Seon-hwa (May 6, 2026). '신입사원 강회장' 손현주X이준영, 통쾌한 복수극 예고 [Reborn Rookie Son Hyun-joo X Lee Jun-young, Teaser of a Satisfying Revenge]. Etoday (in Korean). Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ 황준현 [Hwang Jun-hyeon]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ 강용호 [Kang Yong-ho]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ 강방글 [Kang Bang-geul]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ 강재경 [Kang Jae-kyung]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ 강재성 [Kang Jae-sung]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 최성그룹 사람들 [Choiseong Group people]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 그 외 사람들 [Others]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Hong, Se-young (May 19, 2026). 심우성 '신입사원 강회장' 출연...이준영 등과 호흡 [Shim Woo-sung to appear in Reborn Rookie... working with Lee Jun-young and others]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  11. ↑ Ha, Su-na (June 8, 2026). 공민정 “이준영과 인연으로 ‘강회장’ 특출…뭘 해도 밉지 않고 귀여운 동생” [RE:뷰] [Gong Min-jeung: "My connection with Lee Jun-young, I made a special appearance in Reborn Rookie… He is a cute younger brother who is never disliked no matter what he does" [RE:VIEW]]. TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 Yoo, Jeong-min (November 6, 2025). 재벌 회장 손현주, 이준영과 영혼 체인지...'신입사원 강회장' 내년 방송 [Chaebol Chairman Son Hyun-joo and Lee Jun-young exchange souls... Reborn Rookie to air next year]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Jang, Woo-young (September 13, 2025). [단독] 손현주, 이준영과 영혼 체인지...'신입사원 강회장' 출연 [Exclusive: Son Hyun-joo and Lee Jun-young exchange souls... Appearing on Reborn Rookie]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ Park, A-reum (August 27, 2025). 이준영 정채연 '신입사원 강회장'으로 만나나 "검토중"[공식] [Lee Jun-young and Jung Chae-yeon to star as Reborn Rookie (Under Review) [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  15. ↑ Lee, Min-ji (September 10, 2025). '신입사원 강회장' 이준영 출연 확정, 김순옥 크리에이터 참여 [공식] [Official: Lee Jun-young confirmed to appear in Reborn Rookie with creator Kim Soon-ok participating]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Lee, Min-ji (September 11, 2025). 이주명, 이준영 만날까 "'신입사원 강회장' 긍정 검토 중" [공식] [Official: Lee Joo-myung and Lee Jun-young to Meet: "Positively Considering Reborn Rookie"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ Kim, Kyung-yoon. '재벌집 막내아들'에 이어 '신입사원 강회장'도 JTBC 드라마로 : 네이트 뉴스 [Following 'The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family', Reborn Rookie is also a JTBC drama]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved February 25, 2026 – via Nate.
  18. ↑ Hong, Se-young (April 21, 2026). 이준영·이주명→손현주 '신입사원 강회장', 5월 30일 첫방 [Lee Jun-young, Lee Joo-myung → Son Hyun-joo, Reborn Rookie, Premieres May 30]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  19. ↑ Kim, Ji-won (May 14, 2026). 손현주, 자식들과 재벌 싸움 붙었다...죽다 살아나더니 '신입사원 이준영'으로 컴백('강회장') [Son Hyun-joo got into a chaebol fight with his children... He survived and came back to life as 'new employee Lee Jun-young' ('Chairman Kang')]. Ten Asia. Retrieved May 21, 2026 – via Naver.
  20. ↑ Waugh, J.R. (May 1, 2026). "Every K-Drama Coming to Netflix, Viki, and More in May 2026". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  21. ↑ 신입사원 강회장 OST Part 1 [Reborn Rookie OST Part 1]. Melon. Archived from the original on June 1, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  22. ↑ 신입사원 강회장 OST Part 2 [Reborn Rookie OST Part 2]. Melon. Archived from the original on June 8, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ 신입사원 강회장 OST Part 3 [Reborn Rookie OST Part 3]. Melon. Archived from the original on June 14, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  24. 1 2 Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). May 31, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 6, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 7, 2026. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
    • "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 14, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.