Lee Jun Young is keeping his busy streak alive with a new drama role—and may be sharing the screen with rising star Jung Chae Yeon.
The two are set to headline JTBC’s upcoming series Chairman Kang the New Recruit (literal title), adapted from the popular web novel of the same name. The story follows Kang Yong Ho, the powerful chairman of the Choiseong Group, one of Korea’s top conglomerates, who is forced to relive his life after a tragic accident.
Lee has been offered a challenging dual role: Kang Yong Ho, the titan CEO who built a rags-to-riches success story and ranks among the nation’s top ten chaebol leaders, and Hwang Jun Hyun, a soccer player whose world revolves around the sport.
The drama comes with serious pedigree. Screenwriter Hyun Ji Min pens the script, with director Go Hye Jin (who co-directs My Youth) at the helm. On board as creator is Kim Soon Ok, the powerhouse writer behind megahits like Temptation of Wife, Jang Bori Is Here! and the blockbuster Penthouse series.
Adding to the anticipation, the source material was written by San Kyung, the author of Reborn Rich. That drama, reimagined in 2022 with Song Joong Ki and Lee Sung Min for JTBC, became a phenomenon, peaking at a 26.9% nationwide rating—the second-highest in cable drama history.
For Lee Jun Young, it’s the latest in a string of career-defining moves. The U-KISS alum has recently surged in popularity thanks to standout turns in When Life Gives You Tangerines and Weak Hero Class 2.
Meanwhile, Jung Chae Yeon is emerging as one of her generation’s most promising leads. After her idol beginnings, she made the leap to dramas, earning back-to-back leading roles recently in MBC’s The Golden Spoon and JTBC’s Family by Choice. She is currently starring in JTBC’s Beyond The Bar, alongside Lee Jin Wook.
Chairman Kang the New Recruit is scheduled to air on JTBC in 2026.
>> Lee Jun Young Opens Up About ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ and ‘Weak Hero Class 2’
