Reborn Rich
A reincarnated employee seeks revenge on a chaebol family.
Reborn Rich (Korean: 재벌집 막내아들) is a South Korean television drama based on a web novel of the same title. The series stars Song Joong-ki, Lee Sung-min, and Shin Hyun-been, and aired on JTBC from November 18 to December 25, 2022, with episodes scheduled Fridays through Sundays at 22:30 (KST). It is available for streaming on TVING, Netflix, and Disney+ in South Korea, as well as on Viu and Viki in select regions. The show earned critical and audience praise, becoming the second most-watched series in Korean cable television history; its finale achieved a nationwide rating of 26.9%. As of now, no official second season has been confirmed by JTBC or the production company.
The plot follows Yoon Hyun-woo (Song Joong-ki), a loyal senior employee at the Soonyang Group conglomerate who is betrayed and killed by a member of the Soonyang family to conceal a tax evasion scheme. He awakens in 1987, reincarnated as Jin Do-jun, the youngest grandson of the Soonyang family. Using his knowledge of future events, he seeks revenge by orchestrating a hostile takeover of the group. The story is set against the backdrop of chaebol power and the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
The main cast includes Song Joong-ki as Jin Do-jun and Yoon Hyun-woo (with Kim Kang-hoon portraying the young Jin Do-jun in 1987), Lee Sung-min as Jin Yang-chul, the family patriarch and founder of Soonyang Group, and Shin Hyun-been as Seo Min-young, a prosecutor from a prominent legal family. Supporting roles feature the Soonyang family members, including Yoon Je-moon as eldest son Jin Young-ki, Kim Jung-nan as his wife Son Jung-dae, Kim Nam-hee as their son Jin Seong-jun (with Moon Seong-hyun as the younger version), and Park Ji-hyun as Mo Hyun-min, Jin Seong-jun’s wife. Other family members include Jo Han-chul as second son Jin Dong-ki, Seo Jae-hee as his wife Yoo Ji-na, Jo Hye-joo as their daughter Jin Ye-jun, Kim Shin-rok as only daughter Jin Hwa-young, Kim Do-hyun as her husband Choi Chang-je, Kim Young-jae as Jin Do-jun’s father Jin Yoon-ki, Jung Hye-young as his mother Lee Hae-in, Kang Ki-doong as older brother Jin Hyung-jun (with Cha Sung-je as the younger version), and Kim Hyun as grandmother Lee Pil-ok. Soonyang Group employees include Jung Hee-tae as Lee Hang-jae and Heo Jung-do as Kim Ju-ryeon.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Fantasy · Period · Revenge
- Based On
- The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate · San Gyung
- Writer
- Kim Tae-hee / Jang Eun-jae
- Director
- Jung Dae-yoon
- Starring
- Song Joong-ki · Lee Sung-min · Shin Hyun-been
- Music
- Jeon Chang-yeop
- Country
- South Korea
- Language
- Korean
- Num Episodes
- 16
- Executive Producer
- Ahn Hyun-sook · Lee Ye-seul
- Producer
- Kim Dong-rae · Park Seong-eun
- Runtime
- 60–87 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series tells the story of Yoon Hyun-woo (Song Joong-ki), a loyal higher-up employee working for chaebol Soonyang Group, who was betrayed and murdered by a member of the Soonyang family to cover up a tax evasion scheme. Hyun-woo later wakes up in 1987 discovering that he has been reincarnated into the body of Jin Do-jun, youngest grandson of the Soonyang family. Using these circumstances to his advantage, he starts his revenge by plotting a hostile takeover of Soonyang Group. The background to the story is the power of the chaebols and the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
The main cast includes Song Joong-ki as Jin Do-jun / Yoon Hyun-woo, with Kim Kang-hoon playing young Jin Do-jun in 1987. Lee Sung-min portrays Jin Yang-chul, head of the family and founder of Soonyang Group. Shin Hyun-been plays Seo Min-young, a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The supporting cast includes numerous actors portraying members of the Soonyang family and employees of Soonyang Group.
The series is available for streaming on TVING, Netflix and Disney+ in South Korea, and on Viu and Viki in selected territories. A Thai remake has been announced by Viu, to be released in 2024.
Reader's Guide
Reborn Rich stands as a significant work in Korean television history, achieving the second highest ratings ever recorded for a Korean cable series. Its final episode's 26.9% nationwide rating underscores its massive popularity during its run from November to December 2022. The series is an adaptation of a web novel of the same name, reflecting the trend of web-based content being adapted for television.
The show's narrative, centered on reincarnation and revenge within a powerful chaebol family, resonated strongly with audiences. The backdrop of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the critique of chaebol power added depth to the story. The confirmation of a second season indicates the franchise's continued relevance.
Internationally, the series reached a wide audience through streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Viu, and Viki. The announcement of a Thai remake by Viu demonstrates the show's cross-cultural appeal and potential for global adaptation. The series' success also highlights the star power of lead actor Song Joong-ki and the production capabilities of South Korean television.
Did You Know?
- Reborn Rich is adapted from a web novel of the same name.
- The series aired on JTBC from November 18 to December 25, 2022, every Friday to Sunday at 22:30 (KST).
- Its final episode recorded 26.9% nationwide ratings, making it the second highest-rated series in Korean cable television history.
- A second season has been confirmed in production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reborn Rich?
Reborn Rich is a South Korean television drama that aired on JTBC from November 18 to December 25, 2022. It is adapted from a web novel of the same name and follows a reincarnated office worker who seeks retribution against a powerful chaebol family.
What is the reincarnation premise in Reborn Rich?
The protagonist, a loyal but discarded corporate employee, is reborn as the chaebol family's youngest son while retaining full knowledge of the future. He leverages that foresight to dismantle the family's power structure from within and exact revenge on those who wronged him.
Who stars in Reborn Rich?
Song Joong-ki leads the cast as the reincarnated protagonist, Lee Sung-min portrays the chaebol patriarch, and Shin Hyun-been appears in a key supporting role.
How successful was Reborn Rich in terms of viewership?
The series became the second most-watched program in Korean cable television history. Its final episode recorded a 26.9 percent nationwide viewership rating.
Where can I stream Reborn Rich?
In South Korea, the show is available on TVING, Netflix, and Disney+. In select international regions, viewers can access it through Viu and Viki.
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