Lottery wins and idol colleagues: Korean dramas tap into office worker fantasies

Two new South Korean dramas are tapping into the everyday fantasies of office workers, offering escapism and relatable scenarios. 'Lotto 1st Prize Winner,' a 10-episode series based on a web novel, explores the life of an office worker who wins the lottery but decides to keep his job.

The protagonist, Gong Eun-tae, is a "junior team leader" caught between superiors and subordinates. Despite winning 1.3 billion won (approximately $930,000), he feels the amount isn't enough to dramatically change his life. Instead, the lottery win provides him with a sense of security, altering his attitude towards work and colleagues. The drama is directed by Yoon Young-bin, known for the film 'Gangneung,' and stars Lee Joon-hyuk.

Another series, tvN's 12-episode 'My Bias Employee,' dramatizes the fantasy of working at the same company as one's favorite idol. The story follows Nam Da-reum (played by Kim Hye-jun), a devoted fan of idol Lee Chan (Cha Woo-min) from the group D-N-X. She lands a job as a fashion director at Apello, the fashion platform where Lee Chan works.

Nam Da-reum pursues her dream of becoming a "successful fan" by joining Apello, foregoing offers from larger corporations. The plot thickens as she finds herself in a love triangle involving not only Lee Chan but also the company's CEO, Kang Ha-gi. Director Park Ji-hyun, who herself joined the broadcasting industry to meet her idol, shared at a press conference that meeting one's idol might not always be ideal.

Beyond dramas, YouTube content is also providing vicarious satisfaction. The 'Jjae-beo' segment on comedian Lee Eun-ji's channel features Lee and her junior producer secretly leaving the office for spontaneous outings. Their escapades to various locations like the Han River, a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna), and Namsan Tower, often done by calling in sick, offer a sense of release to working viewers. These videos have garnered up to 810,000 views, resonating with the desire to escape the daily grind.

“

I had to go to 'In-Seoul' to meet my bias. Like Da-reum, I pushed myself and came to a university in Seoul, and eventually joined a broadcasting station and was able to meet him directly. In conclusion, it seems better not to meet them.