JTBC just handed us one of the most intriguing drama premises of 2026. Imagine being a powerful corporate chairman — only to wake up trapped in the body of a young soccer player, forced to work as an intern at the very company you built. That’s exactly the wild ride Son Hyun Joo is about to take us on in Reborn Rookie, premiering May 30 at 10:40 PM KST.
Reborn Rookie: Drama Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Drama Title | Reborn Rookie |
| Network | JTBC |
| Lead Actor | Son Hyun Joo |
| Co-Star | Lee Jun Young |
| Character (Original) | Kang Yong Ho — Chairman, Choi Sung Group |
| Character (New Body) | Hwang Jun Hyun — Soccer Player |
| Premiere Date | May 30, 2026 |
| Air Time | 10:40 PM KST |
| Genre | Fantasy / Corporate Drama / Body Swap |
A Chairman, A Soccer Player & One Wild Accident
Son Hyun Joo plays Kang Yong Ho, the powerful chairman of Choi Sung Group — a business genius who single-handedly lifted the conglomerate from 20th place into Korea’s top 10, navigating brutal crises like the IMF financial crisis and the oil shock. He’s ruthless, rational, and utterly in control — until he isn’t.
After a sudden accident, Kang Yong Ho wakes up in the body of soccer player Hwang Jun Hyun (Lee Jun Young). No shares, no authority — just an intern badge at the company he built from the ground up. The drama that follows? A second-chance battle to reclaim everything he lost.
This is the kind of body-swap narrative that K-drama does best — blending high-stakes corporate intrigue with fantasy and dark humour.
What Makes This One Worth Watching
Son Hyun Joo is a veteran actor known for commanding, layered performances. Seeing him navigate the contrast between a seasoned chairman’s sharp mind and a rookie’s powerless reality is going to be something special. The newly released stills already showcase the character’s range — from his ice-cold boardroom presence to an intense passion for racing.
Add in the brutal family dynamics — Kang Yong Ho pits his own children against each other in a succession battle — and you’ve got layers of conflict that’ll keep you hooked well past midnight. soompi
Want more K-drama previews and updates? Browse our latest Korean drama coverage on TechnoSports and our JTBC drama roundup for everything dropping this season.
