Lee Jun-hyuk's 'Even First-Prize Lottery Winners Go to Work' Ends on 6.2% Rating

An office survival story that held together even in the face of a 1.3 billion-won jackpot

TVING's 'Even First-Prize Lottery Winners Go to Work', a series that deftly interwove the fantasy and reality of an ordinary office worker, ended on a high note after striking a deep chord with viewers.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research firm, the finale of the series, which aired the previous day as a Monday-Tuesday drama on tvN, posted a nationwide 'rating' of 6.2%. The figure marked the show's personal best after ratings climbed steadily throughout its run.

The finale closely portrayed the life-or-death crisis faced by Sales Team 5 leader Gong Eun-tae ('Lee Jun-hyuk') and his team, as well as their efforts to overcome it. Hongseong International, the fashion distribution company where they work, is forced into a battle for survival after CGM, North America's largest competitor, announces plans to enter the South Korean market.

But under Gong Eun-tae's leadership, Sales Team 5 gains the initiative by securing the Chinese market one step ahead of its rival. Their ability to turn a crisis into a springboard captured the fierce business realities facing modern 'office workers'.

Gong Eun-tae, whose outstanding performance earned recognition, proves his abilities by being promoted to deputy department head of the newly established Sales Planning Department. Yang Jun-ho ('Seo Hyun-woo'), who had remained an assistant manager for years, also rises to manager, bringing the story to a warm conclusion.

'Even First-Prize Lottery Winners Go to Work' follows its protagonist after he receives a massive 'prize' of 1.3 billion won and chooses to stay at his company rather than resign, approaching his work with agency and purpose. The show's message—that people can find true value in their work without being shackled to money—has been praised for offering deep comfort and catharsis to viewers navigating a harsh reality.