[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Lee Jun-hyuk drove the narrative in the TVING original series “Even Lottery Winners Go to Work,” navigating the gap between the realities of an ordinary office worker and a first-prize lottery winner. He made his presence felt from the very first episode by realistically portraying the transformation of a team leader who, after winning 1.3 billion won, leaves behind his stifling corporate life.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research firm, on the 15th, the first episode of “Even Lottery Winners Go to Work,” which aired the previous day on tvN, recorded a viewership rating of 3.9% (nationwide).
“Even Lottery Winners Go to Work” is an office drama that follows Team Leader Gong Eun-tae—who had been struggling to get by day after day, caught between his superiors and subordinates—as he returns to work with his 1.3 billion won lottery winnings instead of handing in his resignation after winning the top prize. Lee Jun-hyuk plays Gong Eun-tae, a rookie team leader who is the youngest in the team and has an older assistant manager as a team member.
In the released Episodes 1 and 2, Lee Jun-hyuk meticulously portrayed the daily life of an ordinary office worker. He contrasted Gong Eun-tae’s demeanor at work—where he quietly carries out his duties while carefully navigating the dynamics between his boss and subordinates—with his behavior after work, when he finally relaxes and enjoys his personal time.
In particular, the character’s transformation after winning the lottery jackpot provided the real source of entertainment. While he adds humor by imagining throwing his resignation letter in his boss’s face and driving a luxury sedan, in reality, he returns to the office with 1.3 billion won in hand and continues his work life with a completely different attitude.
As Gong Eun-tae—who had previously endured everything in silence—began to properly express his anger in the face of injustice, the story depicted a transformation that felt less like a “life turnaround” and more like a “character turnaround.” The premise—that he returns to work with a new mindset rather than leaving the company after winning the money—resonates with real-life office workers while simultaneously fueling their fantasies.
Lee Jun-hyuk meticulously built a nuanced emotional arc, ranging from the lethargy of daily life to the thrill of winning the lottery, and the subsequent waves of confidence and regret. He skillfully balanced the drama’s pacing by shifting between the face of an ordinary office worker and the exhilaration of a character who has unexpectedly struck it rich.
His chemistry with Assistant Manager Yang, played by Seo Hyun-woo, also drew attention. Gong Eun-tae’s transformation became more clearly evident as he went through a process of conflict and reconciliation, and his reflection on his own attitude—triggered by the line, “Do you think you’re the victim, Team Leader?”—foreshadowed the character’s growth.
“Even a Lottery Jackpot Winner Goes to Work” premieres exclusively on TVING every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and airs on tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 9:00 p.m.