Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Reborn Rich, which stands as one of the most captivating and brilliantly plotted revenge K-dramas ever created.
Airing from November 18 to December 25, 2022, Reborn Rich ran for 16 episodes on JTBC, with each episode approximately 70 minutes long. Available on Viki, Viu, and Disney+ in selected regions, this fantasy revenge drama was adapted from the web novel of the same name and stars Song Joong-ki in a dual role alongside Lee Sung-min and Shin Hyun-been. The series follows Yoon Hyeon-woo, a loyal secretary to the powerful Soonyang conglomerate family, who is framed for embezzlement and murdered by his employers, only to be mysteriously reborn as Jin Do-jun, the youngest grandson of the same family that betrayed him.
Reborn Rich operates as both a high-stakes revenge thriller and a sophisticated exploration of corporate power, family dynamics, and the corrupting influence of extreme wealth. The series doesn’t just focus on the fantasy element of reincarnation but uses it as a vehicle to explore how knowledge of the future can be weaponized against those who abused their power. What makes this K-drama exceptional is its intelligent approach to the revenge genre, showing how true vengeance requires not just anger but strategic thinking, patience, and a deep understanding of your enemies’ weaknesses.
The series masterfully blends elements of business drama, family saga, and time-travel fantasy to create a viewing experience that’s both intellectually satisfying and emotionally gripping, while offering sharp commentary on South Korea’s chaebol system.
From Servant to Son: The Ultimate Hostile Takeover
The central narrative begins when Yoon Hyeon-woo, after serving the Jin family faithfully for over a decade, discovers their plans to use him as a scapegoat for financial crimes and is ultimately murdered during a business trip. Reborn Rich doesn’t focus on the mechanics of his reincarnation but rather on how he uses his adult knowledge and memories while inhabiting the body of Jin Do-jun, the family’s youngest grandson in 1987. The series explores how Do-jun leverages his knowledge of future events – from stock market crashes to technological innovations – to systematically accumulate power and position himself for the ultimate revenge.
The show examines how the same family that once treated him as disposable now celebrates him as their most brilliant heir, creating darkly ironic situations where his former murderers unknowingly aid in their own destruction. Reborn Rich demonstrates that the most effective revenge isn’t immediate violence but the patient dismantling of everything your enemies hold dear.
Song Joong-ki: A Masterclass in Dual Identity Performance
Song Joong-ki delivers a career-defining performance as both Yoon Hyeon-woo and Jin Do-jun throughout all 16 episodes. His ability to portray the same soul in two different bodies and time periods showcases his incredible range as an actor. As Hyeon-woo, he captures the quiet dignity of a loyal employee slowly realizing his expendability, while as Do-jun, he embodies the calculating intelligence of someone who has seen the future and refuses to be a victim again.
What makes Song Joong-ki’s performance so compelling is his ability to show how the trauma of betrayal and murder has fundamentally changed this character, even in his new life. Reborn Rich uses his nuanced acting to explore how revenge can become both a driving force and a prison, showing someone who has gained everything he ever wanted but may have lost his capacity for genuine human connection in the process.
Jin Yang-cheol: The Patriarch Who Created His Own Nemesis
Lee Sung-min brings formidable presence to Jin Yang-cheol, the ruthless patriarch of Soonyang Group who unknowingly welcomes his future destroyer into the family. Sung-min masterfully portrays a man whose business acumen is matched only by his moral flexibility, showing how extreme wealth can corrupt even family relationships. His scenes with Song Joong-ki crackle with dramatic irony as the audience knows what Yang-cheol cannot – that his beloved grandson is actually plotting his downfall.
The relationship between Yang-cheol and Do-jun forms one of Reborn Rich’s most psychologically complex dynamics, exploring how mentorship can exist alongside manipulation, and how genuine affection can coexist with ultimate betrayal.
The Moment of Truth: When Past and Present Collide
The series reaches its most intense moments when Do-jun’s carefully laid plans begin to converge with the timeline of his original murder, forcing him to confront whether he can truly change his fate or if he’s doomed to repeat the same tragic cycle. Reborn Rich excels at showing how knowledge of the future can be both a superpower and a curse, as Do-jun struggles with the moral implications of his actions and the possibility that his quest for revenge might destroy innocent people along with the guilty.
These pivotal episodes reveal the true sophistication of the series, demonstrating that the most satisfying revenge stories aren’t just about getting even but about whether the pursuit of vengeance ultimately heals or destroys the person seeking it.
Record-Breaking Success and Critical Acclaim
Reborn Rich became a massive phenomenon in South Korea, achieving record-breaking viewership ratings and establishing itself as one of the highest-rated JTBC dramas of all time. The series found devoted international audiences through Viki and streaming platforms, where viewers discovered its unique blend of revenge thriller and corporate drama. Reborn Rich stands out in the K-drama landscape for its sophisticated approach to the revenge genre and its intelligent use of fantasy elements to explore very real issues about wealth inequality and corporate power.
The show’s exploration of second chances and moral justice resonated particularly strongly with audiences who appreciated its complex take on right and wrong in a morally gray world.
A Revenge Thriller That Redefines the Genre
If you love intelligent revenge dramas that combine corporate intrigue with supernatural elements, Reborn Rich is the perfect K-drama to discover on Viki. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a masterful exploration of power, justice, and the true cost of revenge that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Why This K-Drama Represents Peak Storytelling Achievement
Reborn Rich stands as proof that K-dramas can tackle complex themes about power and justice while maintaining both entertainment value and intellectual depth. It’s a series that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering the kind of satisfying revenge story that stays with you long after the final episode.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 (completed series)
Platform: Viki, Viu, Disney+ (selected regions), originally aired on JTBC
Years: 2022
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Revenge Thriller, Fantasy Drama, Corporate Drama
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Song Joong-ki (Yoon Hyeon-woo/Jin Do-jun), Lee Sung-min (Jin Yang-cheol), Shin Hyun-been (Seo Min-young)
Antagonist: The corrupt Jin family and Soonyang conglomerate system (multiple antagonists)