A new employee in the second round of life, a counterattack by ‘Chairman Kang’ that shakes up Taeha Group. > News

At the center of the play is the strategic move of Kang Yong-ho, who starts over from a low position as a new employee, retaining his memories and management know-how from his previous life. He does not stop at simply hiding his identity, but he perfectly understands the complex interests within the Taeha Group and carries out an overwhelming psychological warfare against the big names Jeon Hye-jin and Jin-gu. The main character, played by Lee Joon-young, fully demonstrates his ability as a ‘kingmaker’ who reads the opponent’s moves based on his past experiences, and takes the initiative in the succession war completely into his own hands. This is not simply a success story of a lucky protagonist, but can be seen as the result of a sophisticated management strategy that digs into the enemy's weaknesses based on thorough information and analysis.

The activities of Kang Yong-ho's helpers are also a key element that adds to the tension of the drama. The members of the so-called ‘special team’, including Lee Joo-myeong and Lee Seong-wook, are showing off perfect chemistry by holding all-night meetings to make Kang Yong-ho’s plan a reality. In particular, episodes where he infiltrates a party with Lee Joo-myeong and steals a contract or moves the stage overseas to shake things up change the mood of the play and provide viewers with a thrilling catharsis. Their teamwork is more convincing in that it is not simply a coincidence, but a synergy created by combining each person's expertise with Kang Yong-ho's insight. The process in which the protagonist moves toward a goal together with trustworthy colleagues, rather than moving independently, is what makes viewers root for their victory.

What makes the drama's narrative richer is the harmony of music and directing. The recently released third OST ‘I’m Runnin’ combines electronic bass and sophisticated rhythm, perfectly musically embodying the confidence and dynamic energy of Kang Yong-ho, who was reborn as a young man. This song, which contrasts with the heavy and hard atmosphere of previous theme songs, maximizes the energy generated by the chairman's self-consciousness meeting new driving force not only visually but also audibly. These musical devices increase immersion in the drama while also helping viewers more intuitively understand the situation and psychological changes the protagonist faces.

The reason why ‘New Employee Chairman Kang’ receives enthusiastic support from viewers is not simply because it is a spectacular revenge drama. The second life experienced by the main character, Kang Yong-ho, asks us a philosophical question: ‘What if we live the present again with the wisdom of the past?’ The ups and downs that the former chairman of Choi Sung Group, a leading conglomerate, experiences as he starts from scratch as a new employee, provides a strange sense of vicarious satisfaction and comfort to office workers in real society. The insight into human nature hidden under the grand theme of the succession war and the protagonist's extraordinary ability to turn crisis into opportunity are what give this drama a depth that goes beyond a simple genre piece.