JTBC’s upcoming fantasy office drama Reborn Rookie has unveiled new character stills of Lee Jun Young, offering a closer look at the unusual atmosphere surrounding his role ahead of the series premiere.
Reborn Rookie tells the story of Kang Yong Ho, played by Son Hyun Joo, the legendary chairman of the powerful conglomerate Choi Sung Group. Revered as a business genius, Kang Yong Ho unexpectedly finds his life completely overturned after an accident causes his soul to swap bodies with Hwang Jun Hyun, a young soccer player portrayed by Lee Jun Young. Forced to return to his own company in the body of a much younger man, he begins a second life as an ordinary rookie employee inside the corporate empire he once controlled from the top.
Lee Jun Young’s character, Hwang Jun Hyun, was originally a promising soccer player before becoming involved in the mysterious accident that changes both his fate and identity. Although technically entering the company as a newcomer, the person inside his body now possesses the mind, experience, and instincts of the company’s feared chairman.
The newly released stills immediately highlight the strange tension surrounding the character. Rather than appearing nervous or cautious like a typical first-day employee, Hwang Jun Hyun carries himself with unsettling confidence. In one image, he sits inside a conference room staring sharply ahead with a gaze that feels far too intense for an intern. In another, he openly displays discomfort and irritation while facing his superior, showing little effort to hide his true feelings.
Additional photos reveal him quietly peering through partially opened doors and wandering freely through restricted areas of the company, hinting at the secretive behavior and hidden agenda behind his actions. The contrast between his youthful appearance and authoritative demeanor further emphasizes the drama’s body-swap premise.
The series is already attracting attention for combining fantasy elements with workplace politics, corporate power struggles, and dark comedy. Many viewers are especially curious to see how Lee Jun Young will portray the layered duality of a young athlete carrying the personality and memories of an aging business tycoon.
Over the past few years, Lee Jun Young has steadily built a reputation for taking on diverse roles across romance, thriller, comedy, and psychological dramas. Through Reborn Rookie, he is expected to showcase another transformation by balancing youthful physicality with the mindset of a seasoned corporate leader trapped inside someone else’s body.
Meanwhile, veteran actor Son Hyun Joo’s involvement has also heightened anticipation, with viewers expecting strong chemistry between the two actors as they portray different sides of the same character identity.
Reborn Rookie is scheduled to premiere on May 30 at 10:40 p.m. KST.
