Reborn Rookie

Picked me up from the grave

One of the few dramas in a long time that I binged in just 18 hours. I loved every second of it and was hooked from one episode to the next.

I've been in a Kdrama slump for the past few months, and this genuinely felt like it picked me up from the grave 😭

Lee Jun Young absolutely carried this role. I enjoyed every single one of his scenes, and this drama just reminded me again what a great actor he is.

It had everything - comedy, thrill, emotion, and just the right amount of cuteness. The villains will have you by the neck because you'll be desperately waiting for their downfall 😭 I kept thinking, how much lower can these twins go just to sit on the throne? The way they kept scheming against each other, despite being family, honestly gave me Game of Thrones vibes. Absolutely ruthless.

Also... I hated Chairman Na and his daughter with a passion 💀

On the brighter side, I absolutely adored Hwang Jun Hyeon, Kang Bang Geul, Manager Park Bong Gi <333 literally the BEST team ever. And of course MD Lee Sang Jae (the pookiest bestie 🥹), Kang Yong Ho, and Jun Hyeon's grandma. They had my whole heart.

Definitely worth your time and 100/100 will pick you up from the drama slump (if you're in one). 9.5 because the ending didn't really make sense to me and felt a bit unnecessary, but yeh... it was all for the fun.

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This show is one of the few shows I've managed to complete this year, but it doesn't mean it's one of the best release of the year. It's a great show to watch if you have a lot of free time and are in need of some entertainment, but do mind that it is important to not pay strong attention to the details and how the shows goes, as it will degrade the watching experience as this show felt as if it was just made to only entertain the audience by adding a whole lot of twists, which sure at first may be enjoyable at first but the moment you start questioning how exactly is possible good luck continuing the show.

One of the key highlights of this show is the main actor Lee Jun Young's acting, as someone known to play the bully in a lot of shows, it's refreshing to see him play someone who isn't a highschooler, as its getting tiring to keep on seeing 30 year olds play highschoolers. Additionally, I must applaud his talent as this show basically required him to play two different roles which isn't an easy task.

Overall, a decent show to watch to waste your time, great show to watch if you are a fan of the actors or so happen to enjoy family kdramas.

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Getting better each episode's, but flop in the end of episode.

The plot are quite good for comedy drama, but at the same time are too serious. The story are getting better each episode's, however the footballer's inner soul journey isn't treated very seriously, it only appears in the last 2 episodes. There is no visible character development, and as if by magic he suddenly becomes an expert in the blink of an eye.

The ending was very unclear and felt forced, likely due to the 12-episode limit. The time skip felt overly contrived, and the villains didn't receive a fitting comeuppance. What's even funnier is why ML's soul was swapped again, so he will continue to suffer from exchanging souls without showing his true soul, what a joke.

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The newly reborn president Kang

If you don't have time to read the whole thing, skip to the end where the conclusions are :)

Reborn Rookie introduces us to Hwang Jun-hyeon, a soccer player for Choiseong FC, and Kang Yong-ho, president of the Choiseong Group, cross paths when the president's son, Kang Jae-sung, brutally runs over Jun-hyeon with the president's car while trying to hide the embezzlement that he and his twin sister, Kang Jae-gyeong, had committed. Angered by the abrupt end of his football career and the 400 million won fine he must pay, Jun-hyeon confronts Chairman Kang, but they both end up accidentally hitting their heads when falling down the stairs. Waking up in the hospital, Chairman Kang is faced with a shocking revelation: his soul now inhabits Jun-hyeon's body, while Jun-hyeon's soul remains in his original body, fast asleep in a coma. To assimilate this unexpected situation, President Kang decides to cause a stir in the company and punish the bad actions of his children by posing as the brilliant new employee Hwang Jun-hyeon, with the help of Kang Bang-geul, his youngest daughter, whom he kept hidden for years.

The story presents us with a not very common plot but with some dramas of this type such as Reborn Rich but with its own style, a corporate drama with twists and situations that keep you hooked and a setting that makes you feel as if you were in an office, the drama for me evolved with the chapters, I must say that the first one did not convince me but then I was totally hooked, I like how it mixes corporate twists with comedy and high-tension situations in general. I give the story an 8.5/10


This drama does not present us with many characters, so I will go directly to the analysis of the protagonists

Hwang Jun-hyeon (Lee Jun-young): A footballer whose dream was to play in the Premier League before his grandmother, who suffers from dementia, forgot that promise. Playing for Choi Seong FC was his first step, when an accident ended his sports career; The club terminates his contract. The investigation of the accident goes through great difficulties, such as the disappearance of evidence, but it is learned that the car that hit him was the favorite vehicle of Kang Yong-ho, president of the Choi Seong group.

Kang Yong-ho (Lee Jun-young/Son Hyun-joo): President of the Choi Seong group. He inherited the company at just 32 years old, and suddenly found himself as a rookie surrounded by enemies like his stepmother and stepbrothers who were harassing his position. That fight hardened him, and turned him into a man who despises those who are not worth what they cost. Now he has everyone in suspense while he decides which of his children will be the successor: the first-born Jae-kyung or the second Jae-seong. Both incompetent, and also interested in lining their pockets instead of looking out for the interest of the company. But they are his children, and although furious with them, he cannot bequeath the group to someone else. On the day of the succession announcement, he suffers an accident as a result of which he ends up exchanging his body with that of a young friend. This could be a heaven-sent opportunity, a gift from God to properly punish the children you spoiled and to protect your company.

I must say that Lee Jun-young's performance was quite good, since he has that leadership demeanor, and the truth is he knew how to handle this character, with his nuances and everything that was seen in the two characters

Kang Bang-geul (Lee Joo-myoung): Yong-ho's third daughter, stepsister of the twins. Sent to the United States fifteen years ago, she lived as the daughter of a chaebol family shrouded in secrecy. Now she has returned and works as an intern at the Choi Seong group. When she was twelve years old she realized that nothing in her house belonged to her and she was forced to study away from it. There she began to prepare her revenge and lead a double life: apparently, a mediocre fashion student who spends her time having fun; in reality, training with courses in politics, economics and business administration. Thus he acquired all kinds of skills and entered the family business to prove that he was a swan and not the ugly duckling.

Another success for Lee Joo-myuong, her roles amuse me so much, in Twenty-Five Twenty-One the beautiful Ji Seung-wan and now Kasey Kang, I must say that her performance is one of my favorites, I hope to see her in other roles soon.

Kang Jae-kyung (Jeong Hye-jin) Daughter of Yong-ho and twin sister of Jae-seong, president of Choi Seong Chemical. With a strong personality, proud and possessive, she imposes birthright on her brother for only fifty seconds. She has not gotten over the fact that her father betrayed her mother and that just a year after her death he took another wife. Her resentment against him leads her to wish that he would disappear, and she sees an opportunity when he suffers a accident: she will finally be able to take control of the Choi Seong group, daughter of Yong-ho and twin sister of Jae-seong, president of Choi Seong.

Her character earned all my hatred. How can someone be so selfish and try to kill their father for money? She's a psychopath. The actress did a good job.

Kang Jae-seong (Jin-goo): Second son of President Kang, twin of Jae-kyung, and president of Choi Seong Chemical. Choi Seong, the younger of the twins, is an expert at making mistakes, brimming with greed but narrow-minded, and plagued by an inferiority complex. Overwhelmed by his father and overshadowed by his older sister, he becomes petty, determined to defeat her and seize control of the Choi Seong Group.

I must say that at first I hated him, but I liked how he joined the alliance.

I liked how the drama explored alliances at work and friendships within them, as well as the themes of family and the father-son relationship. Overall, I give the acting a 9.0/10.


As for the music, I really liked it, especially "No Breaks" and "I'm Running." Overall, I give it a 9.0.


Would I watch it again? Probably not. Although I liked it, it's not my type of drama, so I'd give it a 7/10.

NOTE: I'm disappointed with the ending. It couldn't have ended any other way. It's fine that there's another season, but honestly, it felt unnecessary, which is why I'm lowering my rating to 8.5. Also, the last two episodes didn't maintain the drama's pace. Even so, I enjoyed it, and I'll probably watch another season if there is one.


In short, Reborn Rookie is... A corporate drama with touches of fantasy, such as body swapping, tense moments, workplace friendships, and themes of family and business—perfect for fans of the genre. Overall, I give it a 8.5/10; they did a very good job.


THANKS FOR READING

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Brilliant in every way

The first episode really lays the foundation for what appears to be a great drama series. During the first couple hours I found a few sub plots that become quite annoying to the main story, but by the time you get to the end of episode 3, everything rights itself and the real entertainment begins to unfold!
Jun Young is absolutely fantastic playing a person in his twenties, but also giving that appearance and attitude of someone in their seventies. He walks a fine line giving us both personalities ... and what a great job he does at it.
The rest of the cast truly jell together to make perfect chemistry, producing some good protagonists and some extremely evil antagonists ... you really come to despise some of these characters and you count the episodes down as you know that retribution is on the horizon for some of them.
As I watched each of the final episodes leading up to the finale, I kept waiting for something to happen to ruin the entire drama, but it never does. The writing is flawless, matching the performances of the actors, giving you everything you want to happen. The last episode wraps everything up in a nice bow, with drama, suspense and even a bit of humor, especially the last few minutes.
A truly great and enjoyable series from start to finish!!!

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More like family drama than revenge drama

Well, at first, like most people think, I also think it was a revenge drama, but when they got the body swap, I was already intrigued, like, how is he going to take revenge on himself?

But the plot is even better; instead of revenge, it was a journey to redeem himself, a second chance in life to sort everything back. I admit it was slow and has lots of boring stuff, but believe me, the betrayals and massive plot twist will keep you watching.
It is a very sad drama, actually, and it makes me realise a lot of things about my family that I also didn't realise before.

It's important to note that some might find it disturbing seeing the daughter started having feelings for her father in the younger body, but the director is very wise and keeps the romance in check; her father is still deeply in love with her mother, and his love for his daughter is just fatherly love.

I won't give away the ending, but it's a happy one in which everyone who commits a crime is held responsible for their actions; the true villain is your assumption of someone.

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이준영 is absolutely amazing!!

I will always watch everything with 이준영 no matter what it’s about. He is such an amazing person and talented actor. He excells at everything he does. I may not get all the business jargon, but who cares. He keeps it entertaining and I love seeing him in a new role and absolutely crushing it, as always. I cannot wait to see his next drama.

I loved the race track scene when he was being bada$$, then the next moment he turns around and is freaking out like, omg omg! ㅋㅋㅋ. 🤣😂 His laugh is the cutest and is so contageous. I‘m glad we get to see more of his silly side, as much as I love his villain roles, I am just happy to see him on the screen again and truly hope his military time goes by fast and he stays healthy & happy. I know everyone will adore him like we do. We will be waiting for his return, always. 💖🙏✌️ 화이팅!! 💪

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Complete 180 from the first two episodes

I went into this drama genuinely excited because I love the body‑swap trope, but the first two episodes were honestly rough. It was marketed as a comedy, yet the tone felt completely off. The characters, especially the twins were so cartoonishly evil that it stopped being funny and just became irritating. Even the chairman, who we’re clearly supposed to root for later, is introduced as deeply unlikeable with no redeeming qualities in sight.

The result is that the opening two hours feel like watching bad people get away with everything, with no emotional balance or relief. I understand that the setup is necessary for the story that follows, but it was still a slow, frustrating, and painful watch.

But then episodes three and four completely turned things around. Once the plan starts moving, the tone settles, and the show finally becomes what it promised to be. The leads have fantastic chemistry, they play off each other beautifully, and the story suddenly becomes engaging and fun.

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