“Reborn Rich” Season 2 Confirmed: What Twists, Cast Changes, and Global Moves to Expect
On May 8, Artist Company, co-founded by actor Lee Jung-jae, confirmed that Season 2 of the hit 2022 JTBC drama “Reborn Rich” is in active development. The announcement comes after months of speculation following the show’s massive success, which included record ratings and syndromic popularity both in South Korea and abroad.
A representative from Artist Company’s production division shared, “We have entered the planning and development stage for the co-production of Reborn Rich Season 2.” The agency laid the groundwork for this sequel by acquiring RaemongRaein, the co-producer of Season 1, in 2023.
A Bigger, Global Story Ahead
Unlike its predecessor, which focused on the ruthless power dynamics within a Korean chaebol family, Season 2 will expand into the global business arena. Featuring a new cast and an entirely fresh narrative, the sequel promises to deliver a larger production scale and internationally resonant themes.
Artist Company explained, “This project is being developed as strategic content targeting global audiences. From the beginning, we’ve focused on creating characters and storylines that emotionally resonate with international viewers.”
This global pivot aims to keep the essence of K-drama storytelling—emotional depth, strong character arcs, and social commentary—while broadening the scope beyond Korean corporate politics.
The Legacy of Season 1
Reborn Rich originally aired in 2022 and was adapted from a popular web novel. The story followed Yoon Hyun-woo (played by Song Joong-ki), a loyal employee of the Sunyang Group, who is killed and reincarnated as Jin Do-joon, the youngest grandson of the powerful chaebol family. The drama gripped audiences with its mix of reincarnation fantasy, intense performances (notably by Lee Sung-min), and biting commentary on inequality and generational conflict.
The show achieved a peak national viewership rating of 26.9%, placing it among JTBC’s highest-rated dramas ever. It also dominated TV buzz rankings for six straight weeks and was named Best Drama at the 35th Korean PD Awards.
Controversial Ending, Lasting Impact
Despite its accolades, the drama’s final episode caused significant backlash. The twist—that Do-joon’s life had merely been a dream, and Hyun-woo retained only fragments of memory—left viewers confused and frustrated.
Comments flooded online platforms, such as,
- “I want to unsee that ending.”
- “Why didn’t they follow the original novel?”
- “Bring the chairman back to life.”
Controversy deepened when the original web novel author, San Kyung, revealed they had no prior knowledge of the revised ending—a move that put screenwriter Kim Tae-hee under scrutiny.
Nevertheless, the drama’s impact remains undeniable. Its gripping narrative, stellar performances, and bold critique of modern capitalism cemented its place in K-drama history.
With Season 2 in early development, casting and broadcast details have not yet been revealed. The biggest question looming over the project: Will Song Joong-ki return to reprise his roles as Yoon Hyun-woo and Jin Do-joon?
