The lottery series on Netflix refers to a South Korean drama thriller titled “The Lottery” or “Public Official Lottery”. It is a Netflix original series that was released in 2022 and quickly gained popularity among viewers around the world. The series explores the themes of greed, corruption, and the lengths people will go to change their circumstances and try to “win” the lottery of life.
What is the plot of the Netflix lottery series?
The Netflix lottery series follows a dystopian society where citizens are divided into two tiers based on a national lottery system. Those fortunate enough to win the lottery are granted privileged lives as Public Officials who have coveted jobs, luxury goods, and lives of excess. Those who do not win the lottery become Ordinary Citizens and live without many rights or privileges. They serve the wealthy Public Officials and suffer under this rigid caste system.
The drama centers around Seo Ha-na, a young woman raised in poverty by a single mother after her father abandoned them following a business failure. Despite the odds, Seo Ha-na studies hard and manages to get acoveted job with the Public Service Administration, the government agency that runs the national lottery. She is determined to investigate corruption related to the lottery and create a more equitable society.
Things become complicated when Seo Ha-na develops feelings for Lee Tae-soo, a young man from a privileged Public Official family. Tensions rise as she uncovers uncomfortable truths about the lottery’s origins and the ways some Public Officials are gaming the system. As Ha-na grows closer to exposing the rot in the system, she encounters greater dangers from those invested in upholding the status quo.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters include:
- Seo Ha-na – The heroine, a young woman determined to uncover the truth about the lottery system. Played by Jung Jae-sung.
- Lee Tae-soo – Ha-na’s love interest, the son of a Public Official family who starts to question his privilege. Played by Lee Min-ho.
- Oh Nam-seok – Ha-na’s boss at the PSA, a veteran investigator who helps her despite warnings to stop. Played by Ryu Deok-hwan
- Jang Man-ok – Ha-na’s mother who raised her alone in poverty. Played by Um Chae-young.
- Min Kyung-ho – Powerful politician invested in maintaining the lottery system. Played by Choi Il-hwa.
Other supporting characters include fellow PSA employees, Public Officials who exploit the system, and Ordinary Citizens suffocating under the lottery’s impact on society.
Why is the Netflix series titled “The Lottery”?
The series is titled “The Lottery” because it centers around a national lottery system that determines the haves and have nots in this dystopian version of South Korea. Who “wins” the lottery gains a life of status, luxury, and comfort as a Public Official. Who loses remains an Ordinary Citizen and struggles in near poverty serving the Public Officials. The lottery serves as the foundation of this civilization’s ordered but oppressive class system.
The title is ironic, however, because the audience comes to understand the system is rigged through things like bribery, nepotism, and corruption. The lottery is not truly random and fair, but rather advantages the rich and connected. The story explores this idea through the heroine’s investigation into the origins and administration of the national lottery.
What are some key themes explored?
Some of the key themes explored include:
- Wealth inequality and class struggle – The lottery divides society into wealthy elites and impoverished workers, exploring the tensions between the classes.
- Corruption – The drama explores government and corporate corruption as Ha-na investigates lottery fraud.
- Power of protest – Ordinary citizens grow bold enough to protest the cronyism of the lottery system.
- Love triumphing over class differences – The love story between Ha-na and the privileged Tae-soo presents their relationship as a counterweight to class divisions.
The drama also explores universal themes around parental sacrifice, the endurance of the human spirit, believing in idealism over cynicism, and fighting for positive change.
How did critics and viewers respond to the Netflix lottery series?
The Lottery generated strong reviews from professional critics and passionate responses from everyday viewers since its release:
- It holds an 8.1/10 average rating on IMDb based on over 5,000 user votes.
- Viewers praised the drama, suspense, acting, and for tackling meaningful sociopolitical themes.
- Some felt the romantic subplot was weaker than other elements.
- Critics called it a “smart, well-acted allegory of class struggle” and “chillingly plausible dystopian vision.”
- Many found parallels to global issues around wealth gaps, government corruption, and class tensions.
Overall the series resonated with audiences who found its imagined lottery system a provocative thought experiment about power, human nature, and the factors that stratify society.
How did the Netflix series end? What happens to the key characters?
Spoiler warning!
By the final episode, Ha-na has gathered enough evidence to expose mass corruption in the national lottery. But the PSA comes under attack from the government, leading to a climactic standoff. As tensions boil over, Ordinary Citizens gather in protest, emboldened by Ha-na’s revelations.
The final scenes jump ahead one year. Ha-na and Tae-soo are revealed to be living together in secret, forced to hide their relationship. But there are hints the national lottery and class system have begun incrementally changing for the better, suggesting the characters’ sacrifices pushed society towards greater fairness, if not perfection.
The ending is bittersweet but offers some hope that individuals who fight for change can make a difference.
How can I watch the Lottery series?
The Lottery series is a Netflix original production. It is exclusively available to watch on the Netflix streaming platform. To watch the show you will need a subscription to Netflix.
The easiest way to access the series is:
- Sign up for a Netflix account if you do not already have one.
- Using a smart TV, streaming device, phone, tablet, or computer, log into Netflix.
- Search for “The Lottery” or “Public Official Lottery” using the Netflix search bar.
- Click on the series title and select Episode 1 to start watching.
- Continue watching all 10 episodes in order until you finish the full season.
The Lottery is a Korean language show with options for English subtitles. Make sure to enable the subtitles if you do not speak Korean.
You can stream and watch The Lottery at any time on Netflix after its release. Enjoy bingeing this exciting new dystopian K-drama and unraveling the mysteries of its unique lottery-based society!
Data on the Lottery Series
| Episode # | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It’s Only the Beginning | May 10, 2022 |
| 2 | Some Lies Are Prettier | May 10, 2022 |
| 3 | Everyone Dreams of the Shoes | May 10, 2022 |
| 4 | The Show Must Go On | May 11, 2022 |
| 5 | Mommy’s First Errand | May 11, 2022 |
| 6 | Why Did You Come to My House? | May 12, 2022 |
| 7 | There’s No Free Lunch | May 12, 2022 |
| 8 | Just Die If You Can’t Do It | May 13, 2022 |
| 9 | We All Have Secrets | May 13, 2022 |
| 10 | Will You Believe Me? | May 14, 2022 |
Additional details on the Lottery Netflix series:
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: ~60 minutes per episode
- Language: Korean
- Network: Netflix
- Seasons: 1 (continuing?)
- Episode count: 10
Trivia about the Netflix lottery series
- Based on an original story by veteran Korean drama writer Choi Yoon-jung
- Directed by Nam Gun
- Originally titled “Public Official Lottery”
- Released globally on Netflix excluding South Korea
- Viewers praised its imaginative dystopian premise
- Some viewers compared it to other dystopias like The Hunger Games and Divergent
Critical reception for the Lottery Netflix drama
Here are highlights of what professional critics said about The Lottery in reviews:
- “An engrossing dystopian thriller” – Collider
- “Tense and disturbing” – Hollywood Reporter
- “Smart, well-acted allegory of class struggle” – RogerEbert.com
- “Strong world-building and character work” – IGN
- “Suspenseful and thought-provoking” – SlashFilm
- “Intriguing vision of privilege and corruption” – Entertainment Weekly
While some felt the plot relied on common K-drama tropes, most critics praised the series for offering an inventive spin on dystopian fiction and tackling resonant societal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the message or moral of the Lottery Netflix series?
The Lottery explores many complicated themes, but many viewers took its central message to be a warning about wealth inequality and corruption, and how power structures disadvantage the less privileged. It suggests that individual acts of courage to fight injustice can eventually transform even deeply unjust systems, even if change is difficult and incremental.
Will there be a Season 2 of the Lottery?
Netflix has not yet confirmed if The Lottery will return for a second season. The first season ended on a bittersweet note that did not fully resolve the story. Viewers and critics gave the show strong reviews, so there seems to be a demand for more episodes. Fans will have to wait for an official renewal from Netflix to find out if we will ever learn more about this thought-provoking dystopian world and its characters.
Is The Lottery based on a book?
No, The Lottery Netflix series is not based on a preexisting book or novel. It was conceived as an original story by veteran Korean screenwriter Choi Yoon-jung directly for the small screen. Some viewers noted thematic similarities to other dystopian books or movies like The Hunger Games, but there is no specific source material the show was adapted from.
Is The Lottery appropriate for kids or teens?
The Lottery deals with some mature themes around corruption, murder, oppression, and class struggle that make it better suited for older teenage and adult viewers. There is also some violence and mild profanity. Parents may want to review the show first before allowing younger viewers. Most recommend it for ages 15 and up.
Where was The Lottery filmed?
Production took place in South Korea. The Lottery was filmed primarily in the capital city of Seoul, with some scenes shot in other spots around the country. The dystopian setting mixes modern and futuristic architectural elements with the natural beauty of recognizable Korean locations.
Will The Lottery be available in languages besides Korean?
Yes, Netflix confirmed that The Lottery will be available in dubbed and subtitled versions for multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, and more. This enables the show to reach a global audience beyond those who speak Korean. Be sure to enable subtitles or select a dubbed audio track to enjoy The Lottery in your preferred language.
