The first episode of Reborn Rookie wastes no time throwing viewers into a world of corporate power struggles, family betrayal and shattered dreams. And in the end of the episode, a surprising supernatural twist changes the course of the story completely, setting up for what could be one of the most intriguing K-dramas of the year.# A Chairman on the Verge of Retirement
The story begins with Kang Yong-ho, the mighty chairman of the Choiseong Group, looking to the future of his company. He’s frustrated with those around him and feeling more and more isolated. It’s time to think about retirement. In a meeting with senior executives, Yong-ho shocks everyone by announcing he wants to step down.
The show is stolen right away by his twin children, Kang Jae-gyeong and Kang Jae-seong. Neither openly challenges their father’s decision, but it soon becomes clear that both are desperate to take control of the company.
Yong-ho isn’t impressed one bit. He bashes his children and the executives for being selfish. And he says he’ll spend the next month figuring out who should take his place. Privately, however, he confesses to his trusted secretary, Sang-jae, that neither twin is really fit to lead.Family tensions continue to increase.
The family is surprised by the chairman’s plans to retire. Seon-hee, his wife, is worried about what the future holds, whilst the twins simply want to get their father’s approval.
Things get even more complicated when Sang-jae learns that Jae-gyeong and Jae-seong have parked company money in offshore accounts. Yong-ho is very disheartened by the revelation and resolves to keep the scandal quiet for the time being, hoping to avoid more chaos.
Then another family member is in the picture. Seon-hee called Bang-geul, her daughter, whom she thought was living abroad. Bang-geul is already in South Korea, interning without her mother’s knowledge. Her presence hints at future struggles over inheritance and family influence.# Football Star on the Rise Hit by Disaster
Putting corporate drama aside, the talented football player Hwang Jun-hyeon fulfills a lifelong dream, signing with FC Choiseong. He looks forward to his future and shares the good news with his grandmother Ok-sun, who lives in a nursing home and suffers from dementia.
One of the most touching moments in the episode is their emotional conversation. Ok-sun at first does not recognize her grandson but the sight of his football shirt brings back her memories. But Jun-hyeon’s pride and excitement only make him more determined to win.
Tragically, tragedy strikes before he gets his chance.# The Twins Hide a Horrible Crime
The twins secretly investigate their father’s activities and steal Yong-ho’s car to check the dashcam footage. In their recklessness disaster follows fast.
Jae-seong runs a red light and hits Jun-hyeon who is distracted while driving. The accident leaves the young athlete with devastating injuries that will threaten his football career before it even starts.
The twins use their wealth and influence to cover up their involvement and destroy evidence, instead of accepting responsibility. The CCTV footage disappears, the witnesses are silent, and the truth is forgotten.
Eventually, Jun-hyeon finds out that his knee needs to be operated on. The dream he had fought for seemed now beyond his grasp. As if this wasn’t bad enough, FC Choiseong tells him that despite his injury, he may still have to pay penalties under the terms of his contract.A Failed Search for Justice
Jun-hyeon chooses to look into the accident and uncover the truth on his own. Eventually, his journey leads him to Kang Yong-ho.
Jun-hyeon confronts the chairman directly, demanding an apology, thinking he’s responsible. Yong-ho quickly identifies it is his children, but instead of revealing the truth, he attempts to resolve the matter through financial compensation.
The offer only makes Jun-hyeon angrier. He takes the money, but he feels insulted, and he leaves. But his financial problems and concern for his grandmother eventually change his mind. Reluctantly he comes back with the signed cheque.
Meanwhile, Yong-ho is dealing with his own problems. He learns of all the misdeeds of his children and threatens to tell the board and have them removed from their positions in the company.# A Change Of Heart
Jae-seong makes a second fatal mistake in his panic.
As Yong-ho leaves, he is accidentally pushed down a flight of stairs by Jae-seong. The chairman falls forward, head-first, into the company, hitting the just-arrived Jun-hyeon.
Both men are hospitalised following the crash.
When Yong-ho wakes up he sees what is impossible. It is no longer his own skin. Somehow his consciousness has transferred into Jun-hyeon’s body.
Yong-ho’s original body remains in a coma but he has a hard time learning what’s happened. Meanwhile the twins start to deflect blame from themselves and manipulate the public’s perception of the incident.
Eventually, Yong-ho desperately attempts to return to his original body but only makes things worse and suffers another injury in the process. ## Episode 1 Revisit
The first episode of Reborn Rookie is a surprisingly entertaining first chapter that combines corporate drama, family conflict, and supernatural fantasy. There is a touch of melodrama here and there but the main conflicts that will drive the series are well established.
The twins are, by far, the most annoying characters. Their selfishness and recklessness is responsible for almost every major problem in the episode. Jae-seong makes one disastrous decision after another in particular, making him an easy character to dislike.
The body-swap twist comes at just the right time. The concept itself isn’t totally new, but the combination of a powerful business chairman trapped inside the body of a washed-up young athlete creates plenty of opportunities for conflict, growth, and revenge.
Bang-geul’s unpublicized presence in South Korea also suggests more family drama, more inheritance battles ahead in future episodes. One of the biggest storylines of the show could be her eventual relationship with Jun-hyeon.
Episode 1 is a solid setup, full of secrets, betrayal and a dramatic supernatural twist. The premiere leaves a lot of questions unanswered but it does enough to make you want to know what happens next.