Reborn Rookie’s premiere episode dives straight into a universe of greed, treachery, disappointment and a twist of the supernatural. What starts out as the story of a mighty business empire soon turns into something far stranger, and a fascinating clash of wealth, privilege and personal ambition is launched.
The Chairman Has a Tough Decision to Make
The episode begins with Kang Yong-ho, the elderly chairman of mega conglomerate Choiseong Group, pondering the future while driving one of his prized sports cars. Soon a small mechanical problem becomes a metaphor for his biggest worry: no one around him seems capable of carrying on his legacy.
Yong-ho, fed up with the self-centered behavior of his executives and family, calls an important meeting and drops a bombshell. He announces his retirement.
The announcement immediately puts the company in a tension. Kang Jae-gyeong and Kang Jae-seong, the twins, are surprised by the news. Neither challenges the decision openly, but it is obvious that each regards himself as the legitimate heir to the empire.
Yong-ho is clear about his position. None of them is impressive to him.
He does not name an heir, but declares that he will spend the next month observing their actions, and then make a final decision. The announcement instantly creates a competition as the two siblings start scheming ways to win their father’s approval, while also sabotaging each other.
But in private Yong-ho admits something even more troubling. He confides in his trusted secretary Sang-jae that he has little faith in either child and has no intention of giving them full power.
Football’s Next Big Thing Pursues Dream
As the corporate drama unfolds, viewers are introduced to Hwang Jun-hyeon, a talented young football player whose life is moving in the opposite direction.
Jun-hyeon has just reached a big career milestone signing with League 1 football club FC Choiseong. Years of sacrifice and hard work have culminated in this contract.
Most importantly, his success means everything to his beloved grandmother, Ok-sun. She is the most important person in his life but she suffers from dementia.
One of the episode’s most emotional moments comes when Jun-hyeon calls his grandmother from her nursing home, proud to relay the news Her illness prevents her from recognising him at first, which is heartbreaking. But when she sees his football jersey, she gets a momentary flash of memory and is able to share in his celebration of his accomplishment.
It’s a touching scene that sums up what Jun-hyeon is fighting for.
Hidden Secrets Begin to Emerge
Back in the Choiseong family, new scandals explode.
Sang-jae takes Yong-ho on a secret visit to one of the company’s facilities, where he uncovers shocking evidence about the twins. His investigation revealed that Jae-gyeong and Jae-seong were stashing large amounts of money in offshore accounts.
The discovery confirms Yong-ho’s fears about the integrity of his children.
Instead of announcing them right away, he decides to remain silent and collect more data. It turns out to be one of the most important decisions of the episode.
Meanwhile, another family member comes into the picture.
Seon-hee, Yong-ho’s wife, reaches out to her eldest daughter Bang-geul and urges her to return to South Korea. Seon-hee has no idea that Bang-geul is already in the country and working quietly as an intern. Her presence is hidden, but foreshadows future inheritance and struggles for family power.
A Reckless Choice Turns Everything Around
The story becomes dramatic when the twins hear about the conversation between Yong-ho and Sang-jae.
Desperate to find out what their father knows, they sneak into his car and watch the dashcam footage. They go mad straight away.
Jae-seong tries to leave in the car, but is distracted by information on his sister’s phone. Instead of looking at the road, he’s looking at the footage and misses a traffic light.
The outcome is disastrous.
Jun-hyeon, on his way to visit his grandmother, is struck by the vehicle.
The accident destroys instantly all that he has worked for.
The twins use their money and connections to hide the incident instead of admitting to it. The security footage is wiped, the evidence is contaminated, and the hit-and-run is hushed up before the authorities can properly investigate.
It’s one of the most maddening developments of the episode, making the twins solidly the villains of the piece.
Dreams Fall Apart Overnight
For Jun-hyeon, the consequences are catastrophic.
His knee is badly injured and will need surgery, the doctors tell him. Such an injury can be career ending for a professional sportsman.
His worst nightmare comes true.
The football future he spent years building feels impossible now. Physical rehabilitation is painful, and the easiest movements are difficult.
And if that doesn’t do it, FC Choiseong delivers another crushing blow. He was the victim of the accident but because of the terms of his contract he could be forced to pay a financial penalty.
The pressure is heavy.
Jun-hyeon is anxious about the future, but also worried about being able to help his grandmother who is entirely dependent on him.