TVING’s highly anticipated original series ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ is set to captivate viewers, officially gearing up for its premiere after unveiling a compelling teaser poster and trailer on August 12. Starring the versatile actor Lee Joon Hyuk, the drama introduces a fascinating premise: a team leader who wins a staggering 1.3 billion KRW (approximately 918,170 USD) in the lottery but makes the surprising decision to continue going to work instead of quitting his job.
Based on the beloved web novel of the same name by Seo In Ha, serialized from 2019 to 2020, ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ follows the journey of Gong Eun Tae (played by Lee Joon Hyuk). Eun Tae is an ordinary team leader who has endured the daily grind, constantly feeling the pressure from both superiors and subordinates. His life takes an extraordinary turn after he hits the lottery’s first prize. With 1.3 billion KRW now in his hands, he returns to the office, but with a completely new outlook on life and his surroundings.
The series delves into the idea that while 1.3 billion KRW is a massive sum, it’s just shy of being enough to completely upend his life, forcing him to reconsider his choices. It’s only after this life-changing win that Eun Tae truly begins to notice his work and the people around him. ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ promises to deliver abundant laughs and incredibly relatable moments, particularly for Korean office workers who dream of a similar escape.
Helmed by Yoon Young Bin, who directed the film ‘Tomb of the River,’ the series benefits from his dual role as both director and writer, ensuring a cohesive and engaging narrative.
The initial teasers have sparked immense curiosity. The teaser poster cleverly juxtaposes Gong Eun Tae’s employee ID card with his winning lottery ticket. Despite holding what should be the biggest stroke of luck of his life, Eun Tae’s expression remains largely unchanged, his face reflecting the deep-seated struggles of an office worker who has fought tirelessly to make it through each day. The accompanying phrase, “Going to work instead of quitting!” further amplifies the mystery, leaving viewers to wonder why he chooses to maintain his ordinary routine despite his monumental win.
The teaser trailer offers an even deeper glimpse into Eun Tae’s exhausting life. We see him navigating the usual packed subway, arriving at work earlier than everyone else, and constantly caught in the middle despite his position as a team leader. After repeatedly swallowing his frustration and enduring yet another difficult day, an unexpected stroke of luck arrives in the form of 1.3 billion KRW.
His sweet fantasies about a new life are short-lived. Rather than resigning, Eun Tae chooses to return to work, boldly declaring, “I’m going to turn this company upside down.” With his lottery winnings serving as a psychological safety net, he begins opening the office door each day with a different attitude from before.
Viewers are now intensely curious to see how Eun Tae’s journey of growth will unfold as he navigates his workplace with his newfound confidence.
Netizens reacted enthusiastically to the trailer, with comments including, “If he won the lottery with that face, he basically won the lottery twice,” “A proper drama with a handsome actor who can actually act as the lead,” “I loved this novel, and now it’s being made into a drama. And Lee Joon Hyuk is the lead,” “This is crazy. I’m so excited,” “I might turn on the TV for the first time in a while,” and “I only watched the trailer, but I’m laughing so hard.”
Meet the Dream Team: Lee Joon Hyuk, Seo Hyun Woo, & Oh Dae Hwan
‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ is also generating significant anticipation for the incredible chemistry expected between its talented cast members, who are set to elevate the show’s relatable portrayal of office life.
Lee Joon Hyuk takes on the central role of Gong Eun Tae, the team leader of Sales Team 5 at Hongseong International. Eun Tae has dedicated his entire life to working hard in pursuit of an uneventful, ordinary existence. Despite being promoted faster than many of his peers, his youth among team leaders often places him in a precarious position, constantly caught between the demands of his superiors and the needs of his subordinates.
As he finds himself falling into a slump, realizing that years of hard work have culminated in nothing but boredom, his lottery win gradually transforms his perspective on both his life and his career.
Reflecting on the role, Lee Joon Hyuk shared, “When I first read the script, I talked to a friend who works at a company. It’s a story about office workers living their lives and gradually understanding one another. I wondered if this project could provide some comfort to office workers.” He further added, “I think I’ll have a lot of fun working with Seo Hyun Woo and Oh Dae Hwan. Please look forward to it.”
Seo Hyun Woo steps into the shoes of Yang Jun Ho, a problematic assistant manager on Gong Eun Tae’s team. After experiencing a wave of success in his golden 20s, Jun Ho confronts a harsh period of denial as his reality becomes increasingly less impressive.
His struggles intensify when Gong Eun Tae, who joined the company a year after him, is promoted to team leader first. This fuels Jun Ho’s acting out, making him a troublesome member of the team. However, as the story unfolds, he begins to learn how to face reality and eventually support those around him.
Seo Hyun Woo expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I was drawn to the intriguing premise of what would happen if something everyone dreams about, winning the lottery, suddenly happened to an ordinary office worker. I was also captivated by the realistic and delicate storytelling.” He continued, “I want to convey to viewers the same excitement I felt. Please look forward to my chemistry with Lee Joon Hyuk and the ensemble of actors.”
Oh Dae Hwan transforms into Jung Sun Hyuk, the team leader of Sales Team 4 at Hongseong International and the company’s perennial punching bag. Sun Hyuk has lived his life by the rules to an almost rigid degree, yet he repeatedly fails to get promoted and struggles against the harsh realities of the workplace.
After realizing that relationships often matter more than ability in his company, he ultimately decides to become an opportunist in order to protect himself.
Oh Dae Hwan shared his joy, saying, “I’m really happy to be part of ‘The Ordinary Jackpot.’ I’m especially glad and grateful to reunite with the director, actors, and production staff I’ve worked with before.” He added, “It’s a meaningful project with a good message. I want to do my best and present viewers with a great result, so please look forward to it.”
Lee Joon Hyuk: From Villains to Rom-Com, Eyes Another Career-Defining Role
Without a doubt, the biggest point of interest in ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ is Lee Joon Hyuk, who leads the story. Since his debut in the 2007 KBS2 anthology drama ‘Drama City: The Way Love Moves Us,’ he has consistently established himself as an actor capable of taking on an incredibly wide range of roles across various genres.
One of the projects that firmly cemented Lee Joon Hyuk’s name in the minds of viewers was tvN’s critically acclaimed ‘Stranger.’ He garnered significant attention for his nuanced portrayal of prosecutor Seo Dong Jae, a role he later reprised in the 2024 TVING spin-off ‘Good or Bad Dong Jae,’ further developing the complex character.
His presence has expanded across diverse genres through major projects, including the blockbuster ‘Along With the Gods’ film series, the action-packed ‘The Roundup: No Way Out,’ the historical drama ‘12.12: The Day,’ and Disney+’s gritty superhero series ‘Vigilante.’
In 2025, he showcased his romantic side as Yoo Eun Ho, a kind single father and secretary, in SBS’ ‘Love Scout,’ a performance that earned him the prestigious Top Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries Melodrama at the SBS Drama Awards that year. He subsequently continued building his impressive filmography, appearing as Park Moo Kyung, a detective with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, in Netflix’s ‘The Art of Sarah.’
Having moved effortlessly between villainous roles, serious dramas, and heartwarming romance, Lee Joon Hyuk is now taking on the universally relatable role of an ordinary office worker who wins the lottery – a fantasy shared by countless people worldwide.
All eyes are now focused on whether ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ will once again provide Lee Joon Hyuk with another career-defining character, further solidifying his status as one of K-drama’s most versatile leading men.
Premiere & Broadcast Information
Mark your calendars! ‘The Ordinary Jackpot’ will be released exclusively on TVING on September 10 at 6 PM KST. For wider viewership, it will then premiere on tvN on September 14 at 9 PM KST. New episodes are scheduled to air every Monday and Tuesday at 9 PM KST, offering a dose of relatable office drama twice a week.
