Actor Lee Joon Hyuk is turning heads ahead of the 2026 premiere of TVING’s original drama The lottery winner will go to work. Based on the popular webtoon adaptation of Seo In-ha’s web novel, the drama is gaining popularity for how strangely well the actor matches the image of the main character, so much so that fans are calling it a “perfect casting”.
The original novel, serialized in Munpia from July 2019 to April 2020, is often considered the archetype of the “salaryman” genre in Korean office web fiction targeted at men. Due to its enormous popularity it was also adapted into a webtoon.
In the webtoon, the protagonist Gong Eun Tae is depicted with sharp features and a clean and composed appearance that mysteriously mirror Lee Joon Hyuk. Fans speculate that the artist may have used it as a reference when designing the character.
The drama follows the life of Gong Eun Tae, a diligent and unassuming office worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when he wins the KRW 1.3 billion lottery grand prize. While the sum isn’t enough to turn his life into a fantasy, it’s enough to awaken something inside him. He returns to work with a changed perspective, only to realize that it’s not money but his mindset that changes his reality.
Lee Joon Hyuk takes on the role of Gong Eun Tae, team leader of Sales Team 5 at Hongseong International. Having lived his entire life seeking normality, he begins to face emotional breakdown when he realizes that his efforts may only be leading him into a boring routine. Winning the lottery unexpectedly becomes a catalyst for change.
Lee Joon Hyuk shared, “When I read the script, I had conversations with friends who work in offices. It’s a story about how people in corporate life try to emotionally synchronize with each other. I hope it can comfort workers.”
Seo Hyun Woo plays Yang Jun Ho, a young colleague on the same team. Once prosperous in his twenties, Yang now struggles with mediocrity. After Gong Eun Tae, his junior by a year, is promoted ahead of him, he descends into resentment but gradually learns to face reality and support his team.
Seo Hyun Woo commented, “I was attracted by the factual subject matter and realistic storytelling. I hope viewers can feel the same interest and emotion that I felt. I look forward to the chemistry between the actors.”
Oh Dae Hwan plays Jung Sun Hyuk, leader of Sales Team 4, a department seen as the company’s scapegoat. After numerous failed promotions, he realizes that connections matter more than competence. To survive it embraces opportunism.
Oh Dae Hwan said, “The message of this drama is significant. I hope to give the audience a quality show.”
The series is directed by Yoon Young Bin, known for the film River Tomband produced by CJ ENM Studio and Bon Factory. The 10-episode drama was filmed from June to November last year and will be released in the first half of 2026 on TVING. It will also air on tvN as a drama Monday through Tuesday.
Sources: Wikitree
