Lee Jun-young in 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)' delivers a hit.. Ratings soar past 8%, sparking widespread buzz

*This content was translated by AI.

'New Employee Kang (Chairman)' has ignited a box office phenomenon in living rooms with its explosive endings in every episode.

JTBC's Saturday-Sunday drama 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)' (Creator Kim Soon-ok / Screenplay by Hyun Jimin / Directed by Ko Hye-jin) is continuously breaking its own highest ratings in every episode since its premiere on the 30th of last month.

Notably, the third episode recorded 6.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 6.7% nationwide, achieving the highest ratings for a JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama in 2026. The fourth episode then surged to 8.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 8.2% nationwide, shattering its own record once again. The target ratings for men and women aged 20-49 also reached 2.6% nationwide for the fourth episode, confirming strong interest from the core demographic (based on Nielsen Korea paid households).

Furthermore, the drama is showing a steep upward trend in the TV drama buzz ranking released by Good Data Corporation's FUNdex. 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)', which entered the top 10 for three consecutive weeks even before its first broadcast, ranked fourth after the first and second episodes aired, and climbed to second place after the third and fourth episodes aired (as of June 8, 2026).

The secret to this success lies in the powerful endings unique to 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)'. Unpredictable plot developments, refreshing twists, and final scenes that amplify curiosity have triggered intense viewer immersion in every episode, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the next broadcast.

In response, the production team revisited the endings from episodes 1 through 4, which left a deep aftertaste even after the broadcasts concluded.

First, the ending of episode 1 unveiled the core setting of 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)': soul change. After an accidental headbutt incident, Choi Seong-geu-rup (Chairman) Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo) was transported to a hospital, only to wake up in the body of soccer player Hwang Jun-hyun (played by Lee Jun-young), a reality that defied belief. The unpredictable fate of the 72nd-year-old chairman trapped overnight in the body of a 27-year-old youth left viewers in awe and with a lingering aftertaste.

The ending of episode 2 was marked by Kang Yong-ho's bombshell declaration that turned the tide of the succession war at Choi Sung Group. Having become an intern at Choi Sung Group in Hwang Jun-hyun's body, Kang Yong-ho left a message as chairman using his unchanged handwriting as a weapon, despite the soul swap. He announced the abolition of bloodline succession and declared that any employee of Choi Sung Group could become chairman, shocking his daughter Kang Jae-kyung (played by Jeon Hye-jin) and son Kang Jae-seong (played by Jin Goo). This grand plan by Kang Yong-ho delivered a thrilling sense of satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the ending of episode 3 focused viewers' attention with another declaration by Kang Yong-ho. Collaborating with his youngest daughter Bang Geul (played by Lee Ju-myung), Kang Yong-ho successfully siphoned off Kang Jae-seong's slush funds and made a bold proposal: "Let's take Choi Sung away from Kang Jae-kyung and Kang Jae-seong. Come with me." With Kang Yong-ho, now in Hwang Jun-hyun's body, seeking to reclaim Choi Sung Group, and Bang Geul, who had to hide her existence to survive, forming an alliance, anticipation soared for their counterattack against the Choi Sung siblings.

In contrast, the ending of episode 4 pushed tension to the peak as Kang Yong-ho faced a life-or-death crisis. Unable to forget the racing he enjoyed during his days as chairman, Kang Yong-ho secretly visited a racetrack, only to be discovered by Kang Jae-kyung, leaving him flustered. Moreover, Kang Jae-kyung seemed to have guessed Kang Yong-ho's true identity, delivering a cryptic remark: "You're looking at the wrong person. Did you think I wouldn't know who you are?" This line further amplified curiosity about the next episode.

As such, 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)' continues to raise viewers' heart rates with a series of unpredictable endings, from soul change to refreshing declarations, thrilling alliance proposals, and nail-biting crises.

Having established itself as a top destination for unforgettable endings, 'New Employee Kang (Chairman)' airs every Saturday at 10:40 p.m. and every Sunday at 10:30 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.