For many actors, there comes a moment when they find a role that fits them perfectly a character that highlights their strengths and leaves a lasting impression on audiences. For actress Lee Joo-myung, that moment appears to have arrived through JTBC’s hit weekend drama Reborn Rookie.

After steadily building her career since gaining recognition in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Lee Joo-myung is now receiving widespread praise for her portrayal of Kang Bang-geul, a character many viewers consider her most defining role to date.

An interesting connection has emerged between Lee Joo-myung’s latest success and actor Song Joong-ki.

Lee Joo-myung recently worked alongside Song Joong-ki in the drama My Youth, but industry observers have also noted similarities between Reborn Rookie and Song Joong-ki’s blockbuster drama Reborn Rich. The two dramas share several key elements:

  • Both aired on JTBC.
  • Both are based on works by the same original author.
  • Both revolve around powerful chaebol families.
  • Both feature intense succession battles and revenge-driven storylines.
  • Both deliver fast-paced plot twists and corporate power struggles.

While Song Joong-ki captivated audiences as the youngest grandson fighting for control in Reborn Rich, Lee Joo-myung is now drawing attention as a compelling “youngest chaebol daughter” figure navigating a similarly high-stakes world.

Since portraying top student Ji Seung-wan in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Lee Joo-myung has consistently expanded her filmography through projects such as Family, Like Flowers in Sand and My Youth. Although she earned praise for her stable performances, many felt she had yet to land a role capable of fully showcasing her talents or generating major public buzz. That appears to have changed with Reborn Rookie.

In the drama, Lee Joo-myung plays Kang Bang-geul, the hidden youngest daughter of the chairman of Choi Sung Group. Despite her elite background, she enters the company as an intern while concealing her true identity. The role allows Lee to blend multiple contrasting traits:

  • Intelligent and capable businesswoman
  • Ambitious chaebol heir
  • Energetic and relatable office worker
  • Comedic and unpredictable young woman

Her sophisticated image, bright presence, and natural charisma have made the character particularly memorable among viewers. Many critics have described the role as one that feels perfectly suited to Lee Joo-myung’s strengths.

Although Lee Jun-young serves as the drama’s central protagonist playing both a chairman in his seventies and a man in his twenties Lee Joo-myung has increasingly become one of the show’s driving forces. Recent episodes have highlighted her growing importance within the succession battle storyline, with many viewers arguing that her influence on the narrative rivals that of the main lead.

Her performance has been especially praised for its versatility. In one scene, she convincingly portrays a professional executive conducting international business in multiple languages. In another, she effortlessly shifts into comedic territory, bringing lightness and humor to the drama.

Another major factor behind Lee Joo-myung’s popularity is her chemistry with Lee Jun-young. The relationship between Kang Bang-geul and Hwang Jun-hyun is filled with mystery, tension, and romantic intrigue. Bang-geul gradually develops suspicions about Jun-hyun while simultaneously finding herself drawn to his thoughtful actions. This dynamic has become one of the drama’s biggest attractions, balancing romance and action-driven storytelling.

One of the drama’s most talked-about moments featured Kang Bang-geul boldly appearing at a board meeting while holding the mining rights to a valuable lithium mine in Yulivia, dramatically shifting the balance of power within the family. The scene served as a symbolic turning point not only for the character but also for Lee Joo-myung herself. Just as Kang Bang-geul steps out of the shadows and claims her place within the chaebol family, Lee Joo-myung appears to be stepping into a new phase of her acting career.

With Reborn Rookie, Lee Joo-myung has successfully showcased a wide range of emotions and talents from intelligence and confidence to warmth, humor, and vulnerability. More importantly, she has achieved something every actor hopes for: a role that fully captures both their abilities and their charm.

As the drama continues to gain attention, Lee Joo-myung is proving that she is more than just a promising actress she is becoming one of the standout stars of her generation.

Sources: Daum | ize