'Rookie Chairman Kang': Lee Jun‑young takes on dual role in JTBC's body-swap fantasy drama

Lee Jun-young has signed on to headline JTBC's upcoming drama 'Shinipsawon Kang Hoichang,' taking on a rare dual transformation. The story begins when FC Choeseong's rising striker Hwang Jun-hyun suffers a collision right after joining the first division, triggering a body swap with Kang Yong-ho, the legendary chairman who built Choeseong Group into a top-10 conglomerate. With the chairman's seasoned mind locked inside the athlete's robust body, the new "rookie" storms corporate corridors instead of English stadiums, shelving a Premier League dream to chase boardroom victories. The narrative frames a reinvention arc: a fresh hire who leverages physical stamina and razor-sharp business instincts to redraw the unwritten rules of entry-level success. The drama adapts the hit web novel penned by Sankyung, known for the source of 'Reborn Rich,' while creator Kim Soon-ok-famed for 'Penthouse' and 'Temptation of Wife'-joins to supercharge the show's high-stakes flair. According to an Sports Seoul report, JTBC plans the first broadcast for 2026, fueling anticipation for Lee's shape-shifting performance under writer Hyun Ji-min and director Go Hye-jin. Industry chatter points to a crowd-pleasing blend of sports momentum and corporate intrigue, with Lee poised to flex range as both fiery youth and calculating mogul. Viewers can expect a sharp office fantasy that explores ambition, identity, and second chances-driven by a star ready to sprint between two worlds Born in 1997, Lee debuted as U-KISS member Jun in 2014 before expanding into acting with roles spanning 'Mr. Temporary,' 'Good Casting,' 'D.P.,' 'Mask Girl,' and recent leads across TV and streaming. He earned early acclaim with an MBC Best New Actor award and has since balanced idol polish with grounded screen intensity across drama and film.