Difference between revisions of "Reborn Rookie"

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Drama: Reborn Rookie (English title) / Rookie Employee Chairman Kang (literal title)
Revised romanization: Shinibsawon Kanghoejang
Hangul: 신입사원 강회장
Director: Ko Hye-Jin
Writer: San Kyeong (web novel), Hyun Ji-Min
Creator: Kim Sun-Ok
Network: JTBC
Episodes: 12
Release Date: May 30 - July 5, 2026
Runtime: Saturday & Sunday 22:40
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Kang Yong-Ho (Son Hyun-Joo) is the chairman of the Choiseong Group, which is a leading conglomerate in South Korea. He built the company by himself and he is now known as the God of Business. One day, he has an unexpected accident. He collides with a young man named Hwang Jun-Hyeon (Lee Jun-Young). Hwang Jun-Hyeon is a soccer player who has just joined League 1 team FC Choiseong. Due to the accident, Chairman Kang Yong-Ho's soul is swapped with soccer player Hwang Jun-Hyeon's soul.

With Chairman Kang Yong-Ho's soul in Hwang Jun-Hyeon's body, he applies to the Choiseong Group as a new employee. He starts his unpredictable journey with his soul as an outstanding businessman and the young body body of Hwang Jun-Hyeon.

Notes

"Reborn Rookie" takes over JTBC's Saturday & Sunday 22:40 time slot previously occupied by "We Are All Trying Here" and followed by "The Apartment Job" on July 11, 2026.
Based on web novel "Shinibsawon Kanghoejang" by San Kyeong (published June 29, 2021 - October 12, 2021 via Naver).

Cast



Lee Jun-Young	Lee Joo-Myoung	Jeon Hye-Jin	Jin Goo
Hwang Jun-Hyeon	Kang Bang-Geul	Kang Jae-Gyeong	Kang Jae-Sung

Choiseong Group: Family



Son Hyun-Joo	Yun Yoo-Sun	Kwon Hae-Sung	Jung Min-Joon	Kim Seo-Ha
Kang Yong-Ho	Jo Seon-Hee	Min Suk-Do	Min Il-Joon	Kang Yi-Joon



Kim Ji-Yul	Seo Ji-Ho
Kang Bang-Geul (child)	Kang Jae-Gyeong (teen)

Choiseong Group: Materials Team Two



Lee Sung-Wook	Jung Woo-Jae	Lee A-Jin	Lee Dong-Won	Park Ji-Hoon
Park Bong-Gi	Jung Woo-Jae	Lee A-Jin	Lee Dong-Won	Park Ji-Hoon

Shim Jae-Won

Kim Hyung-Joo

Choiseong Group



Kim Jong-Tae	Park Cheon	Yoon Se-Ah	Yoo In-Hye	Kwon Hyuk
Lee Sang-Jae	Secretary Yeo	Secretary Nam	Kang Yong-Ho's secretary	Director Song Nam-Hoon



Seung Eui-Yeol	Lee Sung-Il	Jo Hyun-Jin	Seo Shin-Woo	Park Jae-Wan
Seung Eui-Yeol	Park Gi-Mok	Hyun Jin	Seo Shin-Woo	CnT executive



Yoon Hyo-Sik	Kim Jung-Hyun	Kim Sung-Yong	Bae Joon-Ho	Kim Yong-Tae
Kwon Beom-Sik	Chemical employee	Chemical employee	Bae Joon-Ho	Kim Yong-Tae



Jo Eun-Sol	Ko Kyung-Man	Hwang Gyu-Chan	Yoo Yong	Kim Min-Suk
employee	executive	employee	Auditor Jo Haeng-Mun	GM Han Jae-Kwon (ep.1)



Lee Do-Hyung	Jeong Yu-Hyun	Shin Jun-Chul	Lee Eun	Roh Goo-Jong
employee (ep.3)	Mr. Yang (ep.6,8)	Lee Dong-Ho (ep.8)	employee (ep.8)	Kwon Oh-Tae (ep.8)



Lee Eo-Jin	Jeon Min-Hyub	Woo Mo-Gon	Park Cho-Eun	Lim Jung-Min
employee (ep.8)	employee (ep.8)	employee (ep.8)	employee (ep.8)	construction worker (ep.10)

Taeha Group



Jung Jae-Sung	Lee Seo-An	Ahn Seong-Bong	Kim Han-Soo	Park Gang-To
Na Byung-Mo	Na Eun-Se	Secretary Jo Taek-Sang	Energy employee (ep.6)	Bio employee (ep.12)

Hwang Jun-Hyeon's Family

Byun Jung-Hee

Heo Ok-Sun

Hangang University Hospital



Kim Kang-Hee	Han Jin-Hee	Ryoo Ki-San
Song Gyeong-Seon	doctor (ep.1)	doctor (ep.1)

Choiseong Group: Ancillary Employees



Jung Soon-Mi	Kim Byoung-Nam
cleaning lady	security guard (ep.8)

Others



Jo Ji-Hyun	No Seong-Eun	Cho Ha-Na	Song Wook-Kyung	Gong Min-Jung
caregiver (ep.1,3)	detective (ep.1)	reporter (ep.2)	Yujin factory manager (ep.3)	governor's aide (ep.4)



Shim Woo-Sung	Hwang Jung-Yoon	Lee Chung-Hun	Kim Song-Il	Lee Woo-Young
Mayor Jang Young-Guk (ep.4,6)	hotel employee (ep.4)	detective (ep.4)	CEO Kim Sang-Do (ep.4-5)	reporter (ep.7)



Jung Chae-Won	Goo Min-Hyuk	Lee Jun-I	Shin Gun-Woo	Ahn Tae-Gyeong
reporter (ep.9)	Attorney Yeom (ep.9)	prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)	prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)	prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)



Yoon Jung-Hoon	Lee Ji-Young	Ryujin	Kim Seo-In
prosecutor (ep.9)	reporter (ep.11)	Ryujin (ep.12)	doctor (ep.12)

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	AGB
Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2026-05-30	1	3.695%	3.764%
2026-05-31	2	5.156%	5.247%
2026-06-06	3	6.726%	6.611%
2026-06-07	4	8.218%	8.100%
2026-06-13	5	8.088%	8.025%
2026-06-14	6	9.524%	10.166%
2026-06-20	7	8.830%	8.853%
2026-06-21	8	11.005%	10.891%
2026-06-27	9	10.401%	10.645%
2026-06-28	10	11.062%	11.150%
2026-07-04	11	10.808%	10.660%
2026-07-05	12	13.568%	13.498%

Source: AGB Nielson

Comments

Kdrama Llama Jul 20 2026 4:07 pm This show had all the ingredients of a hit for me, not least because of Jin Goo (team wolf forever!) but in the end it slightly missed the mark for me, there was just too much plotting and family psychodrama for me plus a kind of confusing romantic set up… Are we meant to root for the youngest daughter to get with the ML who has body swapped with her dad, or not (no, too weird!)? I think the FL was my favourite character and performance (I also liked her as a supporting character in twenty five twenty one too) plus the MLs soccer mad grandma… A 3/5 for me, i’m glad I’ve seen it but not one for the rewatch list.

flee Jul 12 2026 11:54 am Finished it, a drama that should be given a chance coz every single episodes is getting better and better. I love the ending. The downside is, real hwang jung yeon is hardly explored, i wish he came back on eps 10/11, i need to see him more with kang bang geul.

I also love love the way lee jun young act as kang yong ho, and his "kang bang geul" and kang yong ho's laugh or sneer is really addicting.

tofu Jul 05 2026 10:54 pm @Shikkero, I know it weird that the main cast ended as couple without any revelation of who he was and who he is, but how come he becomes stepdad when he is just a rock in bed.

If he has come clean before her about the switch then I have no objection for them being couple. Otherwise its weird that is she loving him for who is he or her dad

Kk Jul 05 2026 10:54 pm Such as good ending !!!! Thank you so much

So, season 2 next year? Yeayyy

Brian Jul 05 2026 11:52 am Just finished watching this.... I enjoyed it very much although the version I watched was all dubbed into English and I would prefer hearing the actors real voices and read the subtitles. Nonetheless kudos to all the actors.

Mattie Jul 03 2026 12:37 am Reborn Rich and Reborn Rookie webtoons were written by the same person.

Rose Jun 28 2026 9:53 pm So relieved to know that the chairman is still alive.

Shayne Jun 28 2026 8:28 am Did Hwang Jun-Hyeon really die? I hope not. I want this drama to have a happy ending between Hwang Jun-Hyeon and Bang Geul. And also between the chairman and his wife.

Rol Jun 28 2026 6:23 am the best umbrella moment between Kang yongho & Lee Sangjee. LMAO.... this series so funny and thrill at the same time. i like it, i do hope to see the relationship between Casey kang and real hwang jun...

"Kang Bang Geul~"

Gigi Jun 27 2026 6:03 pm This drama is somewhat like the 90s Robert Downey Jr. film Chances Are.

smile Jun 21 2026 4:38 pm I like it so far but I hate how unfortunate the soccer player is while the chairman gets to live again on a young man's body forever and I don't think there will be a satisfying ending to punish kang jae gyong, she'll probably just get to prison but a life is lost. I guess it's literally reborn rookie as they won't swith bodies again. I thought there will be like a rehabilitation for the soccer player once they switch back again, like the chairman would fund it. I wonder if they fake his death, since the nurse was there. coz how could he still be alive in the preview but the older body with the young man's soul died? they should've switched back and let the chairman truly die but of course he's the lead, and the soccer player is just a collateral damage. It's just so frustrating. so I'd like to hope they pretended that he's dead coz it doesn't make sense, but also if they pretended, I don't know how they will pull it off. It's good so far, it's nearing the end, I'm worried it would be just another kdrama that has a good start but very stupid, irrational, rushed ending so overall will be remembered as a trash one, especially this drama, it has a lot of haters from the edits (well the edits are weird, insinuating romance between the dad and the daughter and the dad being a pdf whenever the teenage daughter version shows up, like hello, it's a POV). Anyways, please be good til the end, I don't have a lot of expectations now at this point but just don't be trash.

happy virus Jun 21 2026 5:58 am who played the character of young kang yong ho? is it jung si-heon?

rey Jun 20 2026 2:40 pm high recommended drama

Sally Jun 16 2026 10:55 pm It never occurred to me to look up who played Kang Jaesung cos i think i've seen an actor who plays a quirky character and looking like him, then one day i saw a tweet called him Jin Goo and i was like *shoketh to the bone*. He is played by The Jin Goo?????? Omg he plays this role so well i really thought this character was played by a comedian-actor +_+

Star Jun 14 2026 1:11 pm Great drama. LJY amazing performance as always.. Likey likey!!~

Fernando Jun 14 2026 11:34 am I know she was right, but honestly, dude on ep6 is the dumbest prime minister ever. How could he even fall for a random stranger at first sight? I'm not sure if something like that actually happens in real life, or if it's just lame writing.

FAHHHH Jun 14 2026 10:59 am Writer playing with fire

lola Jun 14 2026 10:02 am The chairman has the same stick as the ML in i'm dreaming of a freaking fairytale because the ML actor is the same, a nice easter egg i've found!

Nabi Jun 13 2026 6:11 pm 10/10 ate this shi up This is an absolute masterpiece

Yellow Mellow Jun 13 2026 2:29 pm Uhm, Chairman Kang already has a love interest, the FL's mother. Why are you shipping him with someone, or looking for someone new, or even thinking about a relationship with the FL?

Cute i pie Jun 12 2026 1:19 pm Dang, Jun young is so good at it. The Father daughter duo reminds me of lee do hyun and roh jong ui on 18 Again

Hype Jun 11 2026 4:55 am Really fun, well written & engaging drama with a great cast. LJY particularly doing an incredible job, very believable getting the mannerisms very close to the chairman without overdoing it. Curious how the relationship with LJY & LJM plays out as they have scarily good chemistry which im sure will be revealed before it gets to far

Only up to Episode 4 at the moment, but definitely has the feel of one of the top dramas of the year. Looking forward to the next episode

Lee Jun 08 2026 6:52 am The Leads have good chemistry and sometimes i feel like she's about to fall in love with Hwang Jun-Hyeon's face.. but just that, nothing else. i have a feeling the mother is going to enter the scene soon.. then Hwang Jun-Hyeon's gonna do something that will make mother remember her husband..

fanny park Jun 07 2026 2:59 pm this is 10/10 rage bait, can they have less chemistry please, i can't believe i beg for this

Darey Jun 07 2026 2:22 pm the extras in this drama's office staff are incredibly annoying and cringe-worthy. especially their acting, reactions, and constant complaining.

and I get goosebumps. what if jun-hyeon and bang-geul fall in love? they should have had another female character, not their own child as their co-star.

this is what I was hoping for. kang yong-ho has two sons who are married and have grown children, and a third daughter who appears midway through the story. then jun-hyeon has three co-workers: a female permanent employee, a male team leader, and lee sang-jae.

correct Jun 07 2026 1:47 pm guys what if kang yong ho sajangnim fall in love with hwang jun hyeong's haelmoni

Kissme08 Jun 06 2026 10:24 pm What's weird to me is you guys think they will put a romance in these two leads ,? If you think that way then you are probably the weird one ?

Think Jun 06 2026 2:31 pm if you think more about it, yeah, it is weird for the ml and fl to develop a romance. maybe a father & daughter dynamic fits better. but think harder.. what if kang yong-ho wakes up from his coma? i mean, he is actually hwang jun-yeon inside. and since the fl actually cares about her dad, they would probably live together in the same house soon after he wakes up.... and they develop a romance... what if that happen? what if we have a romance between fl and hwang jun-yeon inside kang yong-ho's body instead of the other way around? it's not actually her father anyway... it's just hwang jun-yeon's soul trapped in his body

bebiii Jun 05 2026 10:35 am @Irishi, not every korean drama is about romance, if you watch 'the dude in me' movie, the plot is kinda similar, it's more like father & daughter dynamics

Tess Hernando Jun 04 2026 9:16 am Very interesting plot. Looking forward to the next episodes Lee Jun Young is really a good actor Very handsome, too❤️

IMO007 Jun 03 2026 9:53 am So far enjoyably to watch... actors and actresses are doing outstanding. I see this being very joyful and entertaining.. a few more days till 3-4,, can’t wait each week, it’s really good.

Juu Jun 03 2026 7:50 am Gives same vibes as Undercover Ms Hong. I'm seated ..!

Reborn Einstein Jun 03 2026 3:47 am Same writer as Reborn Rich so it could be just grandpa imagination to date his daughter, no, i mean to reborn rookie and taking his company back from that spoiled kids.

Emmanuelle Jun 02 2026 4:00 pm I so love this !

Kissme08 Jun 02 2026 7:47 am I don’t think there will be a romantic moment with the father and daughter. I think it will be more of a father-daughter dynamics

Irishi Jun 02 2026 2:58 am Isnt it weird?? Romantic line with her own father? Yikes

KISSme08 Jun 01 2026 9:35 am I think Kang Yong Ho will make Hwang junhyun an heir since he wrote on “Give me Choiseong” on the check

KISSme08 Jun 01 2026 9:32 am I am currently addicted to My royal nemesis, I don’t want it to end and I am already looking for another drama that will caught my attention and I remember Jun-Young will star in new drama, saw the trailer and it looks interesting! So glad watching the first 2 episodes I cannot wait for the upcoming episodes!

Lee Jun 01 2026 2:07 am To be honest, I didn't know much about Lee Joo-myung (the FL). When I looked through her filmography, most of the titles weren't familiar to me, and I hadn't watched many of them. On the other hand, Lee Jun-young (the ML) has built quite an impressive résumé, received recognition for his performances, and starred in several popular K-dramas that caught a lot of viewers' attention. That's honestly what convinced me to give this series a chance.

And really, who doesn't recognize titles like Weak Hero Class 2, When Life Gives You Tangerines, The Impossible Heir, Mask Girl, May I Help You, Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale, and Pump Up the Healthy Love? Those projects alone were enough to make me curious and hit play.

You should definitely give this series a try. It's genuinely funny and surprisingly entertaining.

I'm just hoping they don't suddenly throw in a romantic twist because the whole father-daughter dynamic they've built is one of the best parts of the show. If they go down that route, it's going to feel really weird. ??‍♀️

Lee Jun 01 2026 2:00 am OMGG Its Sooo Goooooooood! 2 episodes are out and its sooo gooooood! Lee Jun-Young you charismatic duck lol. You never failed to impressed me! Looking forward for the new episodes wahhh!

Tina? May 31 2026 9:37 pm OMG I'm sat for this drama It's freaking gooooooddddddd.... I don't care what anyone says.... The 1st and 2nd episode is mind blowing... I hope it stays same till the end... Fighting!

pipit May 31 2026 8:20 pm Sometimes i'm confused between Lee JunYoung and Choo Young-Woo (trauma code). They have similar face.

Steve May 31 2026 3:18 pm Would have preferred someone other than Lee Jun-Young in this role, especially playing opposite Lee Joo-Myoung, who is always terrific and frankly on another level.

Krisha May 31 2026 1:56 pm Loveeeeeeee this drama it's sooo freaking good and lee jun young acting is game changer I mean it's sooo good every second of a episodes are worth watching specially lee jun young part !!!!

exe May 31 2026 12:02 pm I just hope the story will also center about Hwan Jun Young and Kang Yong Ho realized how much an a$$ he is to the young man. Feel bad how an entire family ruined the Jun Young.

I am a bit disappointed on how stupid both of his children are, a typical clown antagonists. His daughter in law and father also looks like a typical antagonist hopefully both are written better than the clown child and his son in law.

Kdrama Paksanim May 31 2026 9:32 am I don’t get the premise of this drama. The chaebol kids ruined his life now their father that covers up their crime now takes over his body. Jjajin!

Amhogirl May 28 2026 4:39 pm This is exciting...Lee jun young my No 1. Amd there's also jin Goo. This is giving comedy vibes. I think we're in for laughs..~~

Tjaša Nov 17 2025 4:52 pm omggg i Love lee jun young and i can't wait to see him as the lead role!!

Cara Nov 08 2025 5:33 am wow i'm seated, so excitedd for lee jun young !!! i think this would give the same vibe as reborn rich

Arinola Oct 24 2025 10:45 am Finally I seriously can't be more happy than this lol 2026 pls come quick, I've been waiting to see him as the lead and not as the second lead or support role

Sana Sep 17 2025 3:18 am I'm soooooo excited and wait for this series

External Links

Official Website

@@ Line 234: / Line 234: @@
 ===Others===
-{{CastPictures18
+{{CastPictures19
 |1picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Jo Ji-Hyun.jpg
 |1name=Jo Ji-Hyun (1981){{!}}Jo Ji-Hyun
@@ Line 277: / Line 277: @@
 |14name=Shin Gun-Woo (1994){{!}}Shin Gun-Woo
 |14charactername=prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)
-|15picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Yoon Jung-Hoon1.jpg
+|15picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Ahn Tae-Gyeong.jpg
-|15name=Yoon Jung-Hoon (actor){{!}}Yoon Jung-Hoon
+|15name=Ahn Tae-Gyeong (1981){{!}}Ahn Tae-Gyeong
-|15charactername=prosecutor (ep.9)
+|15charactername=prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)
-|16picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Lee Ji-Young.jpg
+|16picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Yoon Jung-Hoon1.jpg
-|16name=Lee Ji-Young (1987){{!}}Lee Ji-Young
+|16name=Yoon Jung-Hoon (actor){{!}}Yoon Jung-Hoon
-|16charactername=reporter (ep.11)
+|16charactername=prosecutor (ep.9)
-|17picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Ryujin.jpg
+|17picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Lee Ji-Young.jpg
-|17name=Ryujin (Itzy){{!}}Ryujin
+|17name=Lee Ji-Young (1987){{!}}Lee Ji-Young
-|17charactername=Ryujin (ep.12)
+|17charactername=reporter (ep.11)
-|18picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Kim Seo-In1.jpg
+|18picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Ryujin.jpg
-|18name=Kim Seo-In (1983){{!}}Kim Seo-In
+|18name=Ryujin (Itzy){{!}}Ryujin
-|18charactername=doctor (ep.12)
+|18charactername=Ryujin (ep.12)
+|19picture=File:Reborn Rookie-Kim Seo-In1.jpg
+|19name=Kim Seo-In (1983){{!}}Kim Seo-In
+|19charactername=doctor (ep.12)
 }}
-'''Additional Cast Members:'''
-* [[Ahn Tae-Gyeong (1981)|Ahn Tae-Gyeong]] - prosecutors' office staff (ep.9)
 ==Trailers==

Difference between revisions of "Reborn Rookie"

Latest revision as of 06:17, 20 July 2026

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Choiseong Group: Family

Choiseong Group: Materials Team Two

Choiseong Group

Taeha Group

Hwang Jun-Hyeon's Family

Hangang University Hospital

Choiseong Group: Ancillary Employees

Others

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Comments

Leave a Comment

Comments

External Links