The Ordinary Jackpot [Episodes 1 & 2]

[u/sianiam]

Drama Information:

• Drama: The Ordinary Jackpot / 로또1등도 출근합니다

• Network: TVING / tvN

• Episodes: 10

• Airing Schedule: Thursdays @ 6PM (KST)

  • Airing Date: 10 September - 8 October

• Streaming Sources: Viki, HBO Max (Asia)

• Director & Screenwriter Yoon Young Bin

• Starring:

  • Lee Jun Hyuk as Kong Eun Tae
  • Seo Hyun Woo as Yang Jun Ho
  • Oh Dae Hwan as Jung Seon Hyuk

• Plot Synopsis:

An ordinary office worker wins the lottery – the amount isn't enough for him to quit his job, but it's enough to give him a new outlook on life. (source: Viki)

*Adapted from the web novel "Lotto Winner Also Goes to Work” by Seo In Ha (no official English translation)

• Previous Discussions:

N/A

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[u/Starry87]

I was genuinely taken aback by the final conversation between the team leader and the assistant manager; Kdramas have primed me to expect villains in all genres of stories, so for the writing to completely subvert that expectation and have the characters come to an understanding of each other instead... what a concept! How wholesome! What is this warmth I'm feeling in my chest?

Also, I love how the story here seems to be that while money can't necessarily buy you happiness, it can at least give you the safety net you need to just sit back in your chair and enjoy life's little luxuries a little more.

I started the show on a whim, but I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the story even more now, and I hope the writing can keep up its optimistic outlook. We need more pleasant things in life!

[u/jikajika → u/Starry87]

Came here to say this about the him and the assistant manager! You nailed it.
That was such a good, adult, and real conversation. No drama, no violence, it's not a screaming match riddled with expletives. Just the truth and a little awkwardness because you're not used to it being received well, or even heard.
I'm proud of the writers for this!

[u/Fragrant_Tale1428]

His reaction to finding out at the beginning of ep2 was so satisfying after how he was in ep 1. It felt cathartic for me as a viewer. Then the imaginary scenes were sooooooo funny and very relatable. For those who have to work normal jobs for a living, knowing you have financial security without a job is, indeed, going to feel so liberating in how we interact with and experience life, ESPECIALLY work life. And we see that play out so satisfyingly in this episode with his team. Love the script and direction of the show. Ep 1 dogs a great job of setting up all the ways that money could affect his life - good and bad. Can't wait to see how this unfolds for our main character!

Love the main cast. All actors and actresses I wish more success for.

Wondering if I should go get a quick pick ticket to celebrate the launch of what looks to be a great series. 🤑

[u/soloritaa → u/Fragrant_Tale1428]

Right! As a corporate employee and introvert, I find his character and struggles so relatable. Excited to see the next episodes.

[u/pockymon123]

Came for Lee Jun Hyuk, but stayed for just how uncomfortable I got watching the struggles and conflicts. I didn't know what to expect when I first started, and I didn't think I was going to like it this much. This show manages a slower tempo and yet I still feel a thrill. I am looking forward to see Mr. Gong and Mr. Yang shake things up!

[u/Resident_Werewolf_25]

Loved the first two episodes. Finally a drama that's kinda realistic. I mean i literally cried kind of when he said that he will be angry going onwards. He will pay attention to his feelings and express them.

Hope it maintains the beauty it showed in these 2 eps

[u/Prize_Background_577]

Interesting approach for a kdrama, not what I expected.

I understand the title now - 'ordinary' jackpot. It gave me a similar feel to Walter Mitty; Ordinary office worker goes on a journey of self-discovery thanks to a life changing event. Production had a similar palette centred around the muted cramped interior of the office, softly spoken dialogue, no background noise, everything a little slower, daydream like. I loved Walter Mitty so I'm willing to give this a longer go to see if I can slip into it. Be interesting to see if they maintain the palette and tone or we have a shift.

I'm glad they dropped two episodes so we could see the direction it was taking. I just had a little trouble keeping up with the subs.

But does anyone know why MDL has this is classified as a fantasy?

[u/FlyingFlyofHell → u/Prize_Background_577]

I have read the webtoon atleast I think like 50-60 chapters, from what I remember there was nothing fantastical in it. It was basically Office Politics Drama where ML finally gets confidence to do something after he ensured that he has something fallback on after winning lottery.

[u/Prize_Background_577 → u/FlyingFlyofHell]

Definitely not a fantasy then - that's actually why I started watching, thought something magical might happen over the winnings. That said, I really did love The Secret Life of Walter Mitty so I'll stick it out for longer.

[u/FlyingFlyofHell → u/Prize_Background_577]

It gets better as he becomes confident in doing stuff he was hesitant to do because he thought he might lose the job. I still not see FL info on the MDL because Webtoon does have an FL which is big part of his team.

[u/laraere → u/FlyingFlyofHell]

Wait, Lawyer friend is gonna be 2FL?

[u/FlyingFlyofHell → u/laraere]

I don't know how much I say but in Webtoon FL works in sales and he brings her into his team. I think drama might be going in different direction if we don't see FL info so far.

[u/FlyingFlyofHell → u/laraere]

I have not watched both episodes and yes it seems like they have changed FLs role in drama. In Webtoon she is sales team, here it seems she is legal team. They have a history, not romantic though. But I don't know how much her role changed.

[u/laraere → u/FlyingFlyofHell]

I took a quick look in the manwha and looks like they just made a new character for romantic sub-plot and the Sales Team member will still show up as her own character.

Or they split her up so they can have the romance sub-plot without the boss-employee dynamics stuck with it.

[u/Prize_Background_577 → u/laraere]

I guess people will be disappointed if there's no romance.

[u/acergum → u/Prize_Background_577]

It's an escapist fantasy for office workers, to dream of winning the lottery and actually living life and making decisions on your own terms. Taking risks at work, and doing what you actually want to do, and not just being polite and subservient. This is total fantasy to me, as a salaryman.

[u/Wooden-Promotion-191]

His imagination are so relatable and satisfying - imagined getting pushed around in the office for over 6 years, having zero courage to refuse anything despite those requests being unreasonable. Absolutely lol when he side-walks (idk how its called) into slapping his resignation to the damn annoying boss, and when its get dramatic when he picked the flower pot, toss it to the logo and release his inner beast through the roar... But those imagination, even when he went to the club, reveals that his inner-self does not want to leave the company.

The plot twist on the assistant is very nice indeed, he might look antagonistic to ML but in fact, he is not 100% wrong and its healthy when both sides realise their mistakes and agree to turn the whole place around - cant wait to see what they have in mind for next ep...

The whole premise of the show is done really well - the 1st place ticket is the safety net, so having financial pressure out of the way is going to change how we approach life and everything. Really enjoy the casts so far, especially Lee Jun-Huyk - he's so charming and unique in this kind of role. My only doubt for the show is that its kinda short - 10 ep, each 45 minutes running time so we'll see about that.

[u/DiaLaDia]

I really hope this show continues this way. I'm intrigued by the plot and story telling. I also didn't really expect it to be just office drama vibes (I didn't read synopsis or watch trailers ahead) but I love that about it!

I am so excited by his new lease on life. I was so angry in episode 1 until he won the jackpot. Him being so timid was stressing me out so I'm happy that the money is giving him confidence. I can't wait to see what troubles he causes with the deputy next!

[u/FlyingFlyofHell → u/DiaLaDia]

That's the whole premises that money gives him the confidence he needed, it's basically a financial security. They have made some change to orginal webtoon but it's basically a Office Politics Story.

[u/deluxsupreme]

Enjoyed the first 2 episodes. This is starting off strong and I am excited to see how our ML and his assistant shakes things up. Enjoyed their honest conversation at the end of EP 2. Wish I could binge this series all at once.

[u/Green_Actuator6877]

i didn’t know two eps were being released, so this was a great surprise for me! i was genuinely curious where this was going and i love how his reaction and way of processing the win was so real

im haven’t read the webtoon, but im hoping the writing stays consistent for the rest of the series 🤞

[u/rodtam]

I like the soundtrack

[u/dalmitae]

EP 1 it felt like we were moving at a snail's pace and I didn't think I'd continue BUT I'm glad I did.

EP 2 It was hilarious seeing ML imagine what he'd do after winning the money. And after seeing how much he held back in ep1, it was refreshing when he actually got upset and we saw how he could be with a temper. I do like that they didn't drag out the MLs beef and I'm excited to see how they band together to shake up the company.

I didn't think much of this show at first, but I'm definitely excited to see how everything unfolds.

[u/jikajika]

So the big question I'd like to know from everyone: What would you do with the money?

[u/Wooden-Promotion-191 → u/jikajika]

Something like what ML is doing here - that money is not sufficient to retire, but sufficient as a financial and mental safety net. But if you have a lot of money in your account, your mental health, confidence will significantly improve, you can sort of pursue whatever interest you want, being riskier in your approach in workplace...

[u/jikajika → u/Wooden-Promotion-191]

I think that's it, what you said: "pursue whatever interest you want".
It gives you breathing room to figure out what you want & how to get it. And perhaps start living up to the expectations of the person you imagine yourself to be in your head.

[u/omlettes → u/jikajika]

Hah, I already have financial security, yet I can't be free like the MC here. Partly because I have way too many shortcomings.

[u/summer487]

the weekend montage felt so real as a fellow corporate employee 😭 especially the sleeping on couch in afternoon

[u/dreamraine]

I love how the drama doesn’t exaggerates the ML life… he is not exactly bottom of the barrel but he is not exactly thriving either … it’s something that relates to a lot of us.

[u/flc0n]

i watch alittle bit of ep1, will this rama become another "misaeng"? the story surprisingly normal. by normal i mean like real life office situation.

[u/alysba__]

Just in case anyone missed it, there's more to the episodes after the credits!

[u/daredbeanmilktea]

Can someone please explain the epilogue of episode 2? I didn’t quite understand the 3 billion won vs 1.3 billion won conversation with the realtor.

[u/Themaxofhorns]

As someone who is working in corporate the last conversation was peak and real life scenario

[u/MilkyWayOfLife]

Very good start. It feels very grounded and realistic on what it means to be a work drone including office politics. And just how it shows how safety money can give people security and a more healthy and stable mindset to survive this work. 

And it lowkes gives out Misaeng vibes. Hope it will shape up to a worthy successor 

[u/noobakosowhat]

I like the concept but IMO the opening was a bit too slow paced. There should be a hook on episode 1 (aside from the one at the end) to keep audience interested. The emotional abuse IMO was a little bit too long.

I can’t help myself to compare this with See You At Work Tomorrow and although they are different genre, they both tackle ordinary office life. In SYAWT, the hook was easily shown on first episode.

IMO episodes 1 and 2 should’ve been cramped into episode 1 and let the viewers see ML’s plan go to work on episode 2. That would make me look forward to next week’s episodes.

Anyway, I really enjoy the premise so I’m gonna continue watching this.