Reborn Rookie Review: Is This K-Drama Worth Watching?
The Binge Team- July 10, 2026
And on today's episode of laughter, I have a new recommendation. We have to talk about the absolutely crazy Reborn Rookie (신입사원 강회장), which premiered on May 30, 2026, and aired its final episode on June 5, 2026. I was prepared for this to be just another corporate revenge drama, but instead I got a full-on HILARIOUS body-swap comedy. This K-drama has a lot of Reborn Rich vibes, but instead of leaning into dark drama, it turns everything into pure comedy.
In the opening act of the story, 72-year-old billionaire tycoon Kang Yong-ho (Son Hyun-joo) suffers a terrible accident alongside Hwang Jun-hyeon (Lee Jun-young), a young man who's just beginning his soccer career.
In a strange turn of events, the ruthless chairman wakes up in the young athlete's body. He soon discovers that his greedy, power-hungry children have been conspiring against him all along. Forced to start from the bottom of his own conglomerate as a rookie corporate intern, he sets out to tear down their evil schemes from the inside. If you're in the mood for a workplace comedy with a satisfying revenge payoff, I highly recommend this masterpiece.
Reborn Rookie: First Impressions (Episodes 1-6)
Let me pull back the curtain on my watch journal because my live-reaction notes are completely unhinged.
At the beginning of Episode 1, I was absolutely furious as the power-hungry son, Kang Jae-seong (Jin Goo), staged that horrific hit-and-run to cover up his embezzlement. However, Episode 2 completely won me over. Watching this absolute corporate dictator, now trapped in a 72-year-old mind inside a Gen Z body, trying to understand modern workplace jargon was comedy gold. Lee Jun-young's physical comedy was so funny that I was literally crying with laughter.
I was ready to cheer out loud by Episode 3. The moment the chairman forms a secret partnership with his estranged youngest daughter, Kang Bang-geul (Lee Ju-myoung), the drama reaches another level. Episode 4 gave me life. I couldn't get over the comedy of Bang-geul treating the young rookie like her real dad when, technically, his soul really is her father.
By Episode 5, the corporate warfare became much more intense. I loved watching our small team of interns take down the company's flawed management from the ground up. Then Episode 6 sent my obsession into full overdrive. The team heads to Bolivia to stop a massive mineral rights deal, and our faux rookie pulls off a shocking billionaire-level financial scheme by turning his corrupt son's own greed against him. I was literally high-fiving the air.
What I Loved About “Reborn Rookie”
Now, let's talk about the acting because everyone really brought their A-game. Lee Jun-young delivers an absolutely outstanding performance, and he deserves a huge award for it. He perfectly captures the posture, the deep voice, and the intimidating expressions of a ruthless billionaire trapped inside a young man's body. His face-offs with his on-screen daughter, Kang Jae-gyeong (Jeon Hye-jin), are absolutely unmatched. The K-drama also avoids unnecessary corporate filler, which kept me hooked every single week.
In Episode 7, the terrible siblings make a truly hideous move. They hold a board meeting to declare the sleeping chairman permanently incapacitated. I was so stressed watching our "intern dad" try to sneak into his own heavily guarded hospital room so he could stop them.
The most stressful and absolutely unhinged cliffhanger in the entire series comes in Episode 8. A huge discrepancy appears in the rookie's background check, and the siblings discover it. Since they're the villains, their threat to the rookie's secret identity instantly jumps to a whole new level.
Episode 9 was by far the most technical and, honestly, the slowest episode for me because of the corporate takeover storyline. In Episode 10, things start to get serious as another business group attempts a massive hostile takeover. Then Episode 11 takes a turn into much darker thriller territory, which feels quite different from the lighthearted comedy of the earlier episodes.
Reborn Rookie Ending Explained (Episode 12)
In Episode 12, we're about to witness a huge wave of accountability! The finale delivers a massive payoff along with a few unexpected changes to the company's future.
The final confrontation begins when a rival chairman attempts to kill both Kang Yong-ho and Jun-hyeon, ultimately causing their souls to return to their original bodies. Once Chairman Kang wakes up in his own body, he saves our young soccer star from danger. The villainous daughter, Kang Jae-gyeong, is finally led away in handcuffs for her financial crimes and her role in the hit-and-run.
The company completely abandons the idea of family succession and instead becomes a worker-owned cooperative, where employees receive company shares instead of traditional corporate bonuses. Two years later, our soccer star has become a coach and is happily dating Kang Bang-geul. The K-drama also ends with a fun surprise appearance by ITZY's Ryujin, which honestly made me wish we had gotten 16 full episodes instead of just 12.
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Final Verdict: Is Reborn Rookie Worth Watching?
The absolute best part of the finale was watching Lee Jun-young perform the iconic ITZY shoulder dance to prove his identity to the staff. I literally choked on my water because he absolutely slayed that choreography. It was the most brilliant and hilarious inside joke for anyone who remembers his idol days.
He reminded everyone that he's still a main dancer, and he looked so adorable doing it. This K-drama gave us one of the most satisfying endings ever, and the hilarious bloopers during the end credits made me love this cast even more. I'm genuinely sad it was only 12 episodes because I'm really going to miss this family.
It's a glorious and hysterical series, and I was completely satisfied. The humor is on point, the corporate revenge is incredibly satisfying, and the performances are outstanding. It's easily one of the funniest and most unforgettable fantasy workplace dramas of the year.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
Highly recommended for viewers who enjoy fast-paced corporate revenge stories, hilarious body-swap comedies, and fantastic cast chemistry.
Drama Info
TitleReborn Rookie (2026) [신입사원 강회장 ]
Total
Episodes12 (Complete)
Episodes12 (Complete)
Review12 Episodes
CountryKorea
GenreMystery
· Comedy · Fantasy
Release DateMay 30th to July 5th · 2026
Stream
🎬 Viki & TVING
Main Cast
Lee Jun Young
Hwang Jun-hyeon
MAB Score
7.5/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Cinematography
Rewatch Value — 6.9/10
The hilarious physical comedy, lovable cast, and fun workplace moments make this K-drama incredibly rewatchable.